Teen pregnancy prevention on a LARC
- 1 August 2012
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Current Opinion in Pediatrics
- Vol. 24 (4), 439-445
- https://doi.org/10.1097/mop.0b013e328354cc62
Abstract
This update will highlight recent research and recommendations on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) in the teen population, in order to make primary care providers more comfortable counseling on these methods in the medical home. LARC methods, which include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal hormonal implants, are used by only a small minority of sexually active teens, despite their endorsement by professional organizations as effective and well tolerated birth control options in this population. Recent studies show a lack of knowledge about LARC methods among young women, as well as persistent misconceptions among providers regarding who is eligible for LARC use. Existing trials of small numbers of adolescents generally show enthusiasm for its use among teens who are educated about LARC, high satisfaction rates among users of subdermal implants and IUDs, as well as varying pregnancy and continuation rates. The existing research on LARC shows promise for these methods in the teen population. However, larger trials are needed to establish accurate data on satisfaction, continuation, and failure rates, as well as to explore other barriers to use. Medical home providers should stay informed of research on LARC in order to improve contraceptive counseling to young women.Keywords
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- Practice Bulletin No. 121: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine DevicesObstetrics & Gynecology, 2011
- Etonogestrel implant in adolescents: evaluation of clinical aspectsContraception, 2011
- Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) use among adolescent females in secondary institutions in Nnewi, NigeriaJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2011
- Etonogestrel implant in postpartum adolescents: bleeding pattern, efficacy and discontinuation rateContraception, 2010
- The Contraceptive CHOICE Project: reducing barriers to long-acting reversible contraceptionAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2010
- IUDs and Adolescents—An Under-Utilized Opportunity for Pregnancy PreventionJournal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2010
- Correlates of use of long-acting reversible methods of contraception among adolescent and young adult womenContraception, 2010
- A survey of New Zealand RANZCOG Fellows on their use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device in adolescentsAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2009
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 392: Intrauterine Device and AdolescentsObstetrics & Gynecology, 2007
- Use of sexually transmitted disease risk assessment algorithms for selection of intrauterine device candidates.Contraception, 1999