Adolescent Contraception
Marcia J. Nackenson, M.D.
Section of Adolescent Medicine
Department of Pediatrics
New York Medical College
Adolescent Contraception
• The Need
• Barriers to Adolescent Contraception
• Contraceptive Methods
• How to Provide Service
Adolescent Sexual ActivityAges 15 - 19 years
• Females: 50% (1997)55% (1990)
• Males: 55% (1995)60% (1988)
Adolescent Sexual ActivityBy School Grade (1996)
• Grade 9: 37%
• Grade 12:66%
Adolescent Sexual ActivityBy Race and Gender
• Males earlier than females
• Blacks earlier than Hispanics earlier than Whites
• Differences are lessening
Adolescent Contraceptive Behavior
• 25% use no contraception at 1st intercourse.
• 1 year intercourse before medical advice.
• 50% adol preg in 1st 6 months of sexual activity.
Adolescent Pregnancy
• 1 million pregnancies/year
• 85% unintended
• 50% live births
• 35% elective abortions
• 15% spontaneous abortions
But...
• Pregnancy Rates Decline 12% (1995)103/1000 ages 15 - 19 yrs
• Abortion Rates Decline
• Birth Rates Decline 15%57/1000
Recent Trends in Adolescent Sexuality
• Sexual Activity Down
• Condom Use Up
• Pill Use Down
• Pregnancy Rates Down
• Abortion Rates Down
• Birth Rates Down
• But…Condom & Pills 8%
Barriers to Adolescent Contraception
• Psychological Factors
• Availability
• Demographic Factors
Psychological Factors
• Immature cognitive functioning
• Dependency, passivity
• Difficulty in handling sexuality
• Risk-taking behavior
• Desire for pregnancy
Availability
• Cost
• Geographics
• Clinic hours
• Confidentiality issues
Demographic Factors
• Age
• Race
• Poverty
• Educational Plans
• Cultural Patterns
Legal Issues
I. Consent
A. Emancipated Minor
B. Mature Minor
C. Reproductive Matters
II. Confidentiality
III. Payment
IV. Abortion
Issues in Selecting a Contraceptive Method
• Frequency of intercourse
• Tolerance of route of delivery
• Tolerance of side effects
• Nature of relationshipie, monogamous, long-
standing
Recommended Methods for Adolescents
CONDOMS PLUS:1. Oral Contraceptives
2. Injectable Progestin (Depo-Provera)
3. Subdermal Implants (Norplant)
4. Spermicide
Limited Methods for Adolescents
1. Diaphragm
2. Female condom
3. Cervical cap
Methods Not Recommended for Adolescents
1. IUD
2. Tubal ligation/vasectomy
Contraceptive EffectivenessMost Effective
Method
Abstinence
Implants
Injectables
Oral Contraceptives
Vaginal Ring
Patch
IUD
Pregnancy Rate %
0
0.090.3
0.1
0.1
1
1-2
Contraceptive EffectivenessLess Effective
Method
Condom plus foam
Condom alone
Female condom
Diaphragm
Withdrawal
Rhythm
No Method
Pregnancy Rate %
2 - 10
2 - 20
5 - 20
2 - 18
2020 - 3090
History of Oral Contraceptives
2000 yrs ago - Arsenic, mercury, & strychnine
1920’s - Progesterone & estrogen isolated.
1935 - Progesterone synthesized.
1940’s - 50’s - Syntex: steroid synthesis
1950’s - Margaret Sanger - clinical trials
1960 - Enovid approved by FDA
Mechanisms of Oral Contraceptives
• Combination OCP: estrogen, progestin
• Inhibition of ovulation
• Thickened cervical mucous
• Endometrium less favorable for implantation
• Decreased tubal motility
Estrogen in OCP’s
• Ethinyl estradiol20
30-35 - Most “low dose” OCP’s 50
• Mestranol - converted to ethinyl estradiol
50
Progestins in OCP’s
• Varying progestational & androgenic potency
• 6 different progestins available in U.S.
• Newer progestins less androgenic?
Newer Progestins (‘92-’93)
• Norgestimate - OrthoCyclen, Tricyclen
• Desogestrel - OrthoCept, Desogen
‘95 UK warning VTE
FDA, ACOG - no changes needed
• Gestodene - Not available in US
Newer Progestins: Advantages
• Decreased androgenicity
• Increased SHBG
• Decreased free testosterone
• Improved LDL:HDL ratio
• Best for hirsutism, acne
Triphasics vs. Monophasics
• Less total hormone per month
• No clear clinical advantage
Minor Side Effects of OCP’s
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Nausea
• Breast soreness
• Headache
• Weight gain - NOT!
Major Side EffectsCardiovascular
• Related to high estrogen content, early pills
• Venous thromboemboli, MI, CVA
• Hypertension 1-5%, reversible with DC
• Esp. >35 yrs & smoker
• Post-op thromboemboli:
DC pills 4 wks pre-op
Major Side EffectsCancer
• Dec. risk of endometrial & ovarian ca.• Breast & cervical ca. - no definitive inc.
JAMA ‘01: +FH breast ca. & OCP’s inc. risk of breast ca.
BUT: Based on early hi dose pills• Hepatocellular adenoma - benign,
3-4/100,000
Other Side Effects
• Lipid level changes - screen if hi risk
• Carbohydrate metabolism - follow diabetics
• Post-pill amenorrhea or infertility -
disproven
• Congenital anomalies -
disproven
Beneficial Effects of OCP’s
• Dec. acne
• Dec. dysmenorrhea
• Dec. ovarian cysts
• Dec. fibrocystic disease of the breast
• Dec. PID
• Dec. endometrial and ovarian ca.
Absolute Contraindications
• Thromboembolic disorders
• Coronary artery disease
• Estrogen-dependent neoplasia
• Breast Cancer
• Pregnancy
• Active liver disease
• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
Oral ContraceptivesSummary
• Safe and effective for healthy adol.
• Use low estrogen pill (20-35 g)
• 28 day pack and Sunday start method
• Judicious advice about side effects
• Frequent follow-ups.
Progestin Only Methods
• The Minipill - daily pill
• Depo-Provera - injectable
• Norplant - subdermal implant
Progestin Only MethodsMechanisms
• Blocks LH surge; inhibits ovulation
• Thickens cervical mucous
• Thin, atrophic endometrium
Progestin Only Pill
• Taken every day - no placebo pills
• Slightly less effective than combination pill; less forgiving of missed pill
• Indications - estrogen contraindication, lactation
• Disadvantages - unpredictable menses
Depo-Provera (Injectable Progestin)
• FDA approved 1992
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg. IM
• 1st injection within 1st 5 days of menses;
neg Urine preg test
• Repeat q12 weeks ( up to 13.5 weeks)
• Cost: $50/dose
Depo-ProveraMenstrual Changes
• Irregular menses
• Amenorrhea - 60% by 1 year
• Treatment of irregular bleeding:
1. Counseling
2. OCP
3. Ibuprofen
4. Estrogen
Depo-ProveraOther Side Effects
• Weight gain - 2-5 lbs./yr.
• Delay to fertility - 9 mos.
• Depression
• Dec. libido
• Breast tenderness
• Decreased bone density - under study
NEW: Lunelle
• Combination injectable:
Estrogen and progestin
• Given q28 days
• Advantage - regular menses
• Disadvantage - monthly visit
Subdermal Implants
• Norplant
-FDA 1990, 6 levonorgestrel rods
-Effective 5 years
-Insertion and removal procedures
-Bad publicity• Implanon
-Single rod, good for 3 years
Norplant Side Effects
• Irregular menses - greatest in 1st yr.
• Weight gain - less than Depo
• Headaches
• Acne
• Insertion site problems
• Depression
• Hair changes
Condoms
• Must always be recommended to prevent STD’s
• Latex or polyurethane onlyReservoir-tipped, spermicide
• Effectiveness inc. with contraceptive foam
• Advantages: Safe, cheap, available
• Disadvantages: Coital dependent, male resistance
Condom Use12-19 yr males
• 55% at first intercourse -Inc. from 20% in 1979
• 58% at last intercourse -Inc. from 21% in 1979
• BUT - most teens use condoms sometimes
Spermicides
• Nonoxynol-9
• Foam preferred
• When used with condoms, greatly inc. effectiveness.
Barrier Methods
• Diaphragm
• Sponge
• Cervical cap
• Lea’s shield
The Female Condom(1994)
• Polyurethane
• $3 each
• 5 - 25% failure
• Female controlled
• Cumbersome
Emergency Contraception
• Aka post-coital contraception,“morning after” pill
• Indications:Rape
Contraceptive failure (condom broke) Unprotected intercourse
• 1997 FDA approved
Prescribing Emergency Contraception
• Plan B preferred - progestin only• History, LMP,Urine preg test• 2 tabs 50 pill ASAP (within 72 hrs),
repeat in 12 hrs.• Nausea (50%) and vomiting (20%),
anti-emetics• Mechanism - prevents implantation
Contraceptive Patch
• Ortho-Evra• Available later 2002• Estrogen & progestin• Apply new patch
weekly x 3• 4th week - withdrawal
bleed
Vaginal Ring
• Nuvaring• Estrogen & progestin• Inserted for 3 weeks• Ring-free week -
withdrawal bleed
Ideal Contraceptive
• 100% effective
• Completely reversible
• No side effects
• Inexpensive
• Easy to use
• Accesible
Conclusions
• Encourage “adult attitudes” towards sexualtity.
• Any method is better than none.
• Compliance.
• Oral contraceptives vs. Depo-Provera
• Condoms must be used also.