Summary

In this study session, you have learned that:

• Pregnancy before the age of 18 year has several health risks, which include obstructed or prolonged labour, pre-eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy), unsafe abortion and premature and stillbirth. It also has economic, social and psychological consequences for both girls and boys.
• As pregnancy in adolescence has several bad effects, it is important that adolescents prevent or delay pregnancy through the appropriate use of contraceptive methods.
• Contraceptive methods that are safe and appropriate for adolescents’ use include combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, Depo-Provera (DMPA) injectable contraceptive, implants and condoms.
• IUCDs are appropriate for young people when they are in a stable, mutually monogamous marriage.
• The lactational amenorrhea method is appropriate for a young woman when the following three conditions are fulfilled: under six months postpartum, fully or nearly fully breastfeeding, and amenorrhaeic.
• Abstinence is appropriate for young people who have not yet begun sexual activity, as well as those who are already sexually experienced. As abstinence provides protection against STIs and HIV/AIDS, it is good method for young people.
• Emergency contraceptives should be available for young girls who have unprotected sex but must be used with in the first 120 hours (five days) following unprotected sexual intercourse.