Contraception and Adolescents: Trends, Barriers, and Attitudes of Physicians

Contraception use is something that most women utilize during childbearing years. In this regard, unintentional teen pregnancies are divided in half between contraception misuse and contraception nonuse. Barriers to adolescents’ use of more effective contraception methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been found in both the patients’ and providers’ experience and knowledge of the contraceptives. Two previous surveys showed that a minority of physicians believe implants and IUDs are appropriate in adolescents as most believe abstinence is the most effective. Providers play a critical role in preventing unintended teen pregnancies.