Adolescents and youth face various reproductive health problems like unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and STI including HIV/AIDs. Details of some health problems are explained in the Box below.

Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and Youth

  • Maturation issues: menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances often accompany the menses in the early years before regular menstruation is established. Also, boys experience premature ejaculation.
  • Unwanted pregnancy: high proportions of pregnancies among 15-19 years-old women are untimely or unwanted.
  • Unsafe abortion: most abortions among adolescents and youth are unsafe because they are performed illegally, under hazardous conditions, and by unskilled practitioners.
  • Young women, compared to older women, experience, increased complications from pregnancy, childbirth, and unsafe abortion.
  • Young people face increased health risks from sexual activity including STIs and HIV. Each year, more than one-half of all new HIV infections occur in young people under 25 years, and more than two-thirds of all reported STI infections occur among this group in developing countries.
Last modified: Sunday, 26 February 2017, 5:26 PM