IUDs for Teenagers
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Nancy L. Brown, PhD
To emphasize the "importance of appropriate contraception" for teenagers, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) Committee on Adolescent Health Care has issued an opinion (#392) that is strongly in favor of providing IUDs to adolescents.In the opinion statement that addresses common misperceptions about teenagers' use of these devices as well as possible adverse effects and contraindications to use, the committee reviewed data on the safety and efficacy of the IUD and said: "Because adolescents contribute disproportionately to the epidemic of unintended pregnancy in this country, top tier methods of contraception including IUDs ..., should be considered as first-line choices" for them. "After thorough counseling regarding contraceptive options, health care providers should strongly encourage young women who are appropriate candidates to use this method."
In spite of this recommendation, we have heard from teens that their doctors will not provide them with IUDs, so teens may have to call a few doctors before they find one willing to insert an IUD.
Photo credit: Steve Rhodes
Labels: Birth Control, Healthline, Teen Health
2 Comments:
At Fri Apr 18, 07:56:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
Intrauterine Devices for adolescents carry a number
of health risks, primarily pelvic inflammatory disease.
PID causes pain, infertility and places limitations on
one's entire life. It is no surprise that physicians are reluctant to provide these devices to teens who have their entire lives to live with these consequences.
Claire Baney, Health Advocate
and IUD survivor
cbaney@yahoo.com
At Tue Jun 10, 08:58:00 PM 2008,
scs003@aol.com said…
This is a very difficult issue. I have some patients with contraindications to estrogen containing contraception...yet what about using mirena? I too am nervous about kids and IUDs no matter what ACOG says.
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