The problem of contraception among adolescents

The reasons that often render contraceptive measures in young girls are explained and the various contraceptive methods and their special indications and contraindications in the case of adolescents are discussed. The advantages and dangers of oral hormonal contraceptives in adolescents are discussed in greater detail because of a possible harmful influence on the establishment of a normal functioning of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-ovary systerm which often is very delicate at an early age. The usefulness of special gynecoligic examinations for adolescents is emphasized; such examinations would also be useful to provide education on contraceptive methods as part of a more general sex education program.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)