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pubmed:abstractText |
Contraceptive use-effectiveness is significantly shaped by the contraceptors' ages, for pregnancy rates are found to be a function of age. Teenagers are more failure prone than older contracepting women, regardless of method. This higher teenage failure rate can indicate clearly the use-effectiveness of various contraceptive methods. Consequently, both user and method (whether modern or traditional) determine outcome levels of contraceptive use-effectiveness.
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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: The number of young Americans initiating sexual experiences between 15 and 19 rose from 9% of the 15 year olds in 1971 to 18% in 1976. Unmarried teenagers experiencing coitus rises to 25% at age 16, 41% at age 17, 45% at age 18, and 55% at age 19. In 1976, out of a total of 3.2 million unmarried teenagers, 43% (1,385,600) used oral contraceptives and 3.4% (108,800) used an IUD. The method specific failure rate in the 1st year of exposure to risk of unintended conception showed women under 21 are much more likely to fail than older women. New methods of contraception under study include Depo-Provera, however posttreatment loss of fertility and possible long-term toxicity are problems. Steroid implants under the forearm are also being tested using the progestins norgestrienone, which lasts 1 year, and d-norgestrel, which lasts up to 5 years. In addition, the vaginal ring, a plastic ring incorporating progestins which is situated near the cervix, is also under study. The need for improving contraceptives is indicated by the high incidence of induced abortion and unwanted pregnancies. New contraceptives should take into account the reproductive behavior of adolescents including their social and economic status.
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