Contraception in the under‐16s: issues of confidentiality and choice of methods

Key content • The rate of teenage pregnancy in Britain is the highest in Europe. • Long-acting reversible methods of contraception are highly suitable for young women, including under-16s. • Fraser competence must be established in under-16s. • It is essential that consultations are confidential and ‘young people-friendly’. Learning objectives • To learn about the current statistics for teenage pregnancy in the UK. • To understand how to deliver information on contraception in a manner acceptable to young women. • To learn about the range of contraceptive methods available to young women and their suitability. • To learn how to hold a user-friendly consultation with a teenager. Ethical issues • Doctors often see sexually active teenagers without their parents' knowledge and are required to provide them with information about contraception. • Can informed consent be obtained from a very young woman for administration of an invasive method of contraception? • An awareness of local child protection policies is important. Please cite this article as: Vanhegan G. Contraception in the under-16s: issues of confidentiality and choice of methods. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:22–26.