FAMILY-PLANNING IN THE TEEN POPULATION

As an increasing percentage of adolescents reach their sexual debut at younger ages, effective contraceptive methods, which will decrease th e risks of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (S TDs), become even more critical. Contraceptive methods which are less 'compliance-dependent', such as the implantable subdermal levonorgestr el and the injectable depot formulation of medroxyprogesterone acetate , are popular in adolescents but careful counseling before method sele ction and on-going counseling when side-effects are experienced are ne cessary and essential. The use of condoms to decrease the risks of STD s will continue to be important for adolescents, and it remains to be seen what impact the long-term methods will have on effective condom u se. Adolescents' access to abortions when contraceptive methods fail, or when no method is used, is being challenged with state laws which m andate parental notification or permission. A greater knowledge about the option of emergency contraception could potentially lead to increa sed use of this method, particularly when the option of medications su ch as RU486 becomes available. The potential for a reduction in uninte nded pregnancies in adolescents, and a reduced need for abortions is a welcome prospect.