Adolescent access to emergency contraception: a comment on the UK context

Abstract

The provision of emergency contraception (EC) in the United Kingdom (UK) has been transformed over the past decade through advances in pharmacology and the implementation of governmental measures to reduce teenage pregnancy rates. This paper considers how these issues have developed in the current social and political context with specific reference to adolescent access to EC in the UK. It highlights the concerns caused by increased availability of EC and the tension between adolescent rights to confidential treatment and advice, and professional anxiety about encouraging secrecy or parental deception. It concludes that adolescents, whilst benefiting from increased access to EC may also face a series of challenges as a result.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• Emergency contraception
• Service access