Long-acting contraceptives — namely, intrauterine devices and the contraceptive implant — “are the best reversible methods for preventing unintended pregnancy, rapid repeat pregnancy, and abortion in young women,” according to a committee opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the statement outlines evidence supporting both the safety and efficacy of long-acting contraceptive methods in adolescent girls. In particular, research shows that teenagers using long-acting methods are far more likely to continue using those methods at 1 year — and 20 times less likely to have an unintended pregnancy — compared with those using short-acting methods. In addition, complication rates with long-acting contraception do not differ between women and teenage girls.

Just 4.5% of adolescent girls who use contraceptives use an IUD or implant, according to one estimate.

The authors write that long-acting methods “should be first-line treatment recommendations for all women and adolescents,” and “counseling about [such] methods should occur at all health care provider visits with sexually active adolescents.”

Source:Obstetrics & Gynecology