Question

An important counseling opportunity presents itself when a teen has a pregnancy test result that is negative. Use this time to clarify a desire or disinterest in pregnancy and to empower the client to influence her reproductive future. Which birth control method would you recommend for Maria to use if she agrees that she needs contraception? Explain your answer • Condom only • Birth control pills and condom • Depo-Provera and condom

Answer 1

Prescribing of contraception to girls under legal age of consent [16 years]she is guided by the Fraser Rules, which arose from the case of Gillick seeking to stop a doctor from pro-viding contraceptive advice to her daughter without consulting her parents .

*The law allows contraception to be provided as long as the following criteria are met ;

- the girls should be encouraged to discuss her sexual activity with a parent or another responsible adult

-she should consent to intercourse

-she should the understand implications of having sexual intercourse and the contraceptive methode chosen

-it is anticipated that she will have sex whether or not contraception is provided and is therefore at potentially higher physical and psycological harm from an in advertant pregnancy.

The age of her boyfriend should be explored - if he is of a similar age then consent is probably valid however there is significant age discrepancy , for example he was over 20years , then issues of child protection should be considered and this case should be dis-cussed in the first instance with a social worker.

INVESTIGATION AND ADVICED

A urinary pregnancy test should be performed prior to any hormonal contraception , as she has already had unprotected intercourse.

She should be advised about the different methods of contraception , particularly how to use them and importance of compliance.The availability of emergency contraception should be explained.

She is at risk of sexuality transmitted infections , and barrier contraception should be advised even if she is using the contraceptive pill as her main pregnancy - prevention strategy.

Whichever option is chosen , the girl should be supported such that she is happy to come back for further review and to check correct usage of the preffered method.

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS AND CONDOM

I will recommend her to use birthcontrol pills and condom;

The progestin only pill , rarely prescribed for teenagers , contains just projesterone. The doctor will explain what the teen should do if she misses a dose . The pill does not provide protection from STDs, so it is still important to use condoms.