Answer to wondering parents submitted in Jordemodern No. 12 1986

4 Swedish midwives all of whom work as counselors in teenage gynecological clinics reassure the parents that according to surveys teenagers are usually true to one partner and do not engage in "unhealthy repeated change of partners" as the parents feared and therefore do not run great risk of sexually transmitted disease. The midwives point out that Swedish law on privacy of medical records prevents notification of parents when contraceptive pills are prescribed. Midwives discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pills and condoms with teenage clients at the clinics but many teenagers live mostly in the present and find it difficult to follow their advice. A reply from the parents follows saying that the curiosity of youth should be met in a more responsible way instead of simply giving in to pressure. The surface of the cervix in young girls is very sensitive and girls who begin an active sexual life early run greater risk of condyloma and lesions of the lower uterus which can lead to severe infections and possibly cancer of the cervix in later life. There have also been research reports on the connection between breast cancer and use of contraceptive pills among young girls. The parents suggest that it is a false service to youth to simply prescribe contraceptive pills in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy and say that it would be interesting to hear the views of a gynecologist in order to round out the moral debate from a more specialized medical point of view.