These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: [A difficult and delicate task: prescribing contraception for adolescents].
    Author: Abranches AD.
    Journal: Planej Agora; 1993 Mar 15; 9(233):3. PubMed ID: 12318748.
    Abstract:
    The choice of the most appropriate contraceptive method, when its use is begun, and the motivation of adolescents to use it, are significant factors in adolescent contraceptive continuation. The contraceptive method must suit the personality of the adolescents, who are insecure in most cases, less stable emotionally, rebellious, and uninformed. This pattern can induce constant changes of partners, and accidental and unpredictable sexual activity. Since adolescence is a period of biological and psychological transformation, the contraceptive must be highly effective, safe, and well-tolerated, so that its side effects should not prejudice the continuation of its use. The behavioral contraceptive methods, coitus interruptus, ovulation, and sympto-thermal methods, are contraindicated for adolescents because of their low effectiveness and the requirement of a great deal of discipline. The condom, diaphragm, and spermicides can prevent sexually transmitted diseases, thus they are optimal for adolescents. Their effectiveness is higher than that of behavioral methods but could be better, and they require a certain discipline, which limits sexual spontaneity. The IUD is contraindicated in adolescents and in women who have never given birth, because of the possibilities of pelvic inflammation resulting in pain and bleeding and expulsion of the IUD. The use of hormonal contraception is recommended only two years after the first menstruation, for fear of interference in the biological development of the adolescent. Recent studies have shown that modern low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) do not exert harmful effects on the adolescent organism. While paying heed to contraindications, OCs can be indicated for this age group. Hormonal contraceptives are effective, safe, and well-tolerated by the majority of patients. They regulate menstruation, and provide beneficial effects such as the reduction of dysmenorrhea and the protection against pelvic inflammatory diseases, benign diseases of the breast, and even uterine and ovarian cancer.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]