[Contraception in adolescents (author's transl)].

: 43% of French people have their 1st sexual relation between 15 and 18, and 20% before 16. Every year there are about 3000 new mothers 16 or younger, and in 1980, 6700 high school students requested an abortion. Most teenagers are badly informed about contraception. Given the irregular frequency of teenage sexual relations, the condom, the diaphragm, and the use of spermicidal agents would seem appropriate and totally safe. These methods, however, require a strong motivation, some manipulation of the genital organs right before intercourse, and a proper use of the method. Therefore they are very little used and, when used, their failure rate is rather high. The IUD is not advisable for a nulliparous woman because of the danger of infection, which is 15.3% according to some authors, 3.7% according to others. Hormonal contraception is almost 100% effective, practical, does not interfere with future fertility, and it has recently been demonstrated that it does not cause modifications of the thyroid or of hypothalamic-hypophyseal functions. Some doctors recommend a pill with 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, some recommend a biphasic minipill; progestin-only micropills can be used when there is a contraindication to the use of estrogen. Postcoital hormonal contraception is also possible but it entails several side effects. Also, the insertion of an IUD between the 2nd and the 5th day after intercourse makes nidation impossible. Different authors have recently experimented with pure progestational agents at the time of intercourse, and have demonstrated that this method assures an effective and acceptable contraceptive. Obviously the method is indicated for those who have sporadic sexual relations.