AAP updates recommendations for adolescent contraceptive counseling

In a policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online June 16 in Pediatrics, updated recommendations are presented for providing adolescent patients with contraceptive counseling and methods.

Mary A. Ott, M.D., from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and colleagues updated the 2014 policy statement on contraception for adolescents to provide pediatricians with evidence-informed and equity-informed practices in contraceptive care.

According to the authors, pediatricians should provide all adolescents access to contraceptive information and counseling within a sexual and reproductive health equity framework as a best practice. To enable adolescents to choose the best method for their goals, preferences, and needs, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, illness, or ability status, a developmentally appropriate approach should be informed by principles of shared decision-making and person-centered care. Counseling should account for and educate about reduced access to abortion services based on state law. When there are no medical contraindications, pediatricians should provide adolescents with their contraceptive of choice on the same day as contraceptive counseling as a best practice. Policies and products that support pediatricians in providing confidential and timely contraceptive care to adolescents should be designed by governments, insurers, electronic health care vendors, and health care systems.

“Pediatricians can help answer questions that teens might be afraid to ask, in a way that is honest, compassionate, informed by science and centered on care,” Ott said in a statement. “Education on reproductive health is an important step toward every adolescent’s journey into independence and adulthood.”

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AAP updates recommendations for adolescent contraceptive counseling (2025, June 16)
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