Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Use in Adolescents: What are the Benefits?
The high rates of unintended pregnancy are a concern in the United States and remain higher than in other developed countries. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2013) defines unintended pregnancy as “a pregnancy that is mistimed, unplanned, or unwanted at the time of conception”. An estimated fifty percent of all pregnancies in the US are unintended. These pregnancies result in 1.2 million abortions per year in our nation and are associated with an increased risk of health problems for both the woman and the newborns. Among women under the age of 19, more than 80% of pregnancies were unintended and the proportion is highest at 98% among teenagers younger than 15 years old. In 2011, the live birth rate for women aged 15-19 years old was 31.3 per 1,000 women (CDC, 2013). Teen pregnancies in the US are associated with higher high school drop out rates in women and an increased likelihood of incarceration, repeat teenage pregnancy and unemployment for the children of teenage mothers. Furthermore, approximately half of the unintended pregnancies in the US result from contraceptive failure, largely due to inconsistent or incorrect use of effective contraceptive methods (Winner et al., 2012). Although the pregnancy rates for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are lower and continuation rates are higher when compared to oral contraceptives pills (OCPs), OCPs continue to be the most commonly used contraceptive method in the US (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 2011).
This literature review seeks to answer the following PICO question: In adolescent, nulliparous women (P), are LARCs (I) more effective ...
... middle of paper ...
...n their adolescent patients.
Handout/recommendations
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2011). Long-acting reversible contraception: Implants and intrauterine devices. Practice Bulletin No.121. Obstet. Gynecol., 118, 184-196.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2012). ACOG Committee Opinion No. 539: Adolescents and long-acting reversible contraception: Implants and intrauterine devices. Obstet. Gynecol., 120, 983-988.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Contraception. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/Contraception.htm
Suhonen, S., Haukkamaa, M., Jakobsson, T., & Rauramo, I. (2004). Clinical performance of a levonogestrel-releasing intrauterine system and oral contraceptives in young nulliparous women: A comparative study. Contraception, 69, 407-412.
Eric Scheidler’s article “Teens Should Not Have Access to IUDs” was full of information opposing the idea of teens and birth control. This article was published in the year 2016, and lists several points as to why teens should not have access to birth control.
Van Hoff MH, Hirasing RA, Kaptein MB, Koppenaal C, Voorhorst FJ, Schoemaker J, (1998). The use of oral contraceptives by adolescents for contraception, menstrual cycle problems or acne. Acta Obstetrics and Gynecol Scand, 77(9), 898-904
The second reason for contraceptives being given to teenagers, will help them avoid many dangerous Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) associated with unsafe sexual practices. Studies have shown an increase in unprotected sexuality among teenagers can result in a wide-range of social problems, such as STDs. The topic of birth control in public schools has attracted much support from the American public, according to statistics surveyed. For example, a 2006 Associated Press-Ipsos survey discovered that 67% of Americans support the provision of contraceptives to students. This study also determined that, “About as many - 62 percent - said they believe providing birth control reduces the number of teenage pregnancies” (Associated Press).
Is it time to bring OCs over the counter?. (2010). Contraceptive Technology Update, 31(7), 77-
To prevent fertilization in women various contraceptive methods are utilized. One type of contraceptive method prescribed by physicians is NuvaRing. An online article published in Women’s Health Magazine addresses the issue whether this type of contraceptive is safe. The article entitled, “Is the NuvaRing ACTUALLY Going to Kill You? A Look at the Evidence” questions whether or not NuvaRing is a serious health risk to women. The concept of this article suggests that benefits outweigh the risks (Gueren, 2013).
Freely accessible birth control for teenagers has always been a topic of debate, but it prevents pregnancy, abortion, and it also has many health benefits. There are cons to the argument that suggests a rise in promiscuity in the adolescent demographic, but in spite of these cons the rise of birth control continues, because access to birth control helps adolescents make an informed and safe decision on whether or not to participate in sexual activities. It doesn’t make the decision for them.
The birth rate among teens in the United States has declined 9% from 2009 to 2010, a historic low among all racial and ethnic groups, with the least being born in 2010; and in 2011 the number of babies born to adolescents aged 15-19 years of age was 329,797 (“Birth Rates for U.S.”, 2012). Although the decline in unwanted and unplanned teen births is on the rise the United States continues to be among the highest of industrialized countries facing this problem. This is a prevailing social concern because of the health risks to these young mothers as well as their babies. Teens at higher risk of becoming pregnant are raised at or below the poverty level by single parents; live in environments that cause high levels of stress (i.e., divorce, sexual psychological and physical abuse); are influenced by peers or family members that are sexually active; and lack parental guidance that would direct them to be responsible and self-controlled.
We already know that some minors are stupid enough, naive enough, or defiant enough to have sexual intercourse with another person. That is all you need to know to figure out if minors should or should not be able to use birth control, if they’re going do it anyways, they should be able to protect themselves for the future. Approximately 1 million adolescent teens become pregnant each year and 86% of STI’s (Sexually transmitted infection) happen between ages 15-29 years old, showing just how big of a social issue this is for Americans. A valid argue against is, if you don 't let them protect themselves, they won’t have sex at all, fearing the consequences. This essay will cover why it is imperative that it is legal for minors to use birth
Now a days there are several different methods of birth control. The first that I am going to talk about is called the rhythm method. As its synonym implies, this method is based on the assumption that, for each women, there is a rhythmic pattern of menstruation and ovulation that can be identified by keeping a careful record of the dates of menstruation. A second assumption is that
...own. Bratsis went onto argue that the reason for the decline could possibly be to public ad campaigns, particularly ones that display the downsides of being a young mother. Bratsis (2015) also argued that 86% of teens claimed that they the last time they had sex they used contraception, namely condoms and birth control (12). The author pointed out that we need to educate teens in the benefits of using long-acting reversible contraception instead of condoms and birth control. Bratsis suggested that we should take away the barriers, increase availability, access and awarenss of this type of contraception because it can prevent pregnancy for three to 10 years depending on which method is used. However, teens do need to be aware that they do not prevent STDs. Bratsis believes that educating teens about this contraception will help reduce the teen pregnancy rate.
The aspect of sex and the use of birth control were touchy issues in the early 20th century. Sex was only for married couples that wanted to have children. The idea of sex before marriage was crazy. Because of all the beliefs about sex being only for procreation and not for pleasure birth control was not needed. There was one major event and one key person who are responsible for making the use of birth control acceptable in America. The major event being World War I. In World War I there was a lot of usage of whore houses by the French and English soldiers. A major problem with the French and English governments allowing men to go to the whorehouses was that there was rapid spread of VD. A soldier that is suffering from herpes, syphilis, or gonorrhea doesn’t fight too well. President Wilson was very concerned about the American soldiers getting sick and not able to fight. He also wanted to stop the spread of VD Wilson decided that during boot camp the soldiers would be taught about VD’s, and the effect of them. The recruits had to take a sexual education class. In the class the men were shown pictures and movies that showed what various vaginal diseases looked like, and what they would do to a mans sex organs. This was an effective in stopping the American soldiers from going to the French whorehouses. Another program the U.S. Government instituted to stop the spread of VD was to give out condoms to the soldiers.
Contraception, contragestion, (preventing the fertilized egg from implantation - morning-after-pill) and the chemical or surgical induction of abortion are all types of birth control routes to prevent or end pregnancy (“What”). Contraception is the devices, drugs, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent a pregnancy. Contraception tends to help a women decide if and when she would want to have a baby (“What”). There are around 17 different types of birth control methods. According to the article from Oxford there are three main categories of contraception. They are the barrier methods, intrauterine, and the hormonal methods (“Contraception”). They vary from a pill, patch, shot, an implant and a condom to name a few. The most common type of contraception for women is the birth control pill. This pill includes estrogen and progestin to stop the release of the egg and thin the lining of the uterus. If the contraception device is used correctly, only about 3 in every 1,000 women will beco...
In America, one million teenagers get pregnant every year (National Abortion Federation, 2003). Of these pregnancies, 78% are unplanned because these teenagers start having sex at a very young age and are unaware of ways to prevent pregnancies. Thirty-five percent of the pregnant teenagers chose to abort, as they fear that the consequences of the pregnancy might have significant effects on their lives. The problems that come with teenage pregnancies include dropping out of school, receiving inadequate prenatal care, developing health problems, relying on public assistance to raise a child, and probably divorcing their partners. In most states, the law allows pregnant teenagers to take their babies for adoption without consulting their parents.
As we see in the world today many teens are becoming mothers before they finish high school or before they turn 18. Although some teens are on birth control already many are not because they are afraid to tell their parents which may lead to their parents thinking they are sexually active. Moreover, teens usually find themselves in a professional clinic trying to seek different options of birth control but they are derailed by having parental consent or notification. Many clinics have a policy were teen needs to have parental consent to receive birth control. Many parents feel that teens should be able to make the choice by themselves if they are having sex or just being careful.
Sex before marriage has always been a major issue. Teen pregnancy seems to double yearly: with no sign of stopping. Some teens use contraceptives and birth control incorrectly. They think pregnancy just can’t happen to them. In a lot of cases their embarrassed to buy protection or just simply unsure of how to use them. Many unplanned pregnancies happen beca...