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AAP policy statement urges discussions on emergency contraception
Sexual safety discussions should also include a discussion on emergency contraception during visits with adolescents, and pediatricians should lobby for increased access to this type of birth control, according to a policy statement released recently from the AAP’s Committee on Adolescence.
Research indicates that adolescents are more likely to skip birth control pills; therefore, it is important for clinicians to lobby for more access to emergency contraception, and even write a prescription before it may be needed, according to the policy statement.
Krishna K. Upadhya
“Adolescents should be instructed to use emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse and to then schedule a follow-up appointment with their primary provider to address the need for sexually transmitted infection testing and ongoing contraception,” study researcher Krishna K. Upadhya, MD, MPH, and colleagues wrote.
Currently, girls aged younger than 17 years require a prescription for levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate (Ella, Watson).
The statement highlights that 43% of 15- to 19-year-old girls are sexually active.
“Despite significant declines over the past 2 decades, the United States continues to have teen birth rates that are significantly higher than other industrialized nations,” according to the policy statement.
Last year, federal health officials denied an application by one emergency contraception manufacturer to make the medication available over the counter.
Disclosure:The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
