A recent study emerged, in which parents were asked about the kinds of contraceptives they would prefer their teenage daughters to use, and the results were surprising. Published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the UC San Francisco (UCSF) study found that parents were less accepting of the most effective contraceptive methods, the implant – a matchstick-sized rod that is inserted in the arm to prevent pregnancy – and the intrauterine device (IUD), and only half of those surveyed were keen on condoms, despite the fact that these are the only birth control method that also protects their daughter’s wellbeing against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Lauren Hartman, MD, a clinical fellow in the UCSF Department of Pediatrics and lead author of the study, commented on the results: ‘Considering the fact that condoms are our only method that protects these teenagers from sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, and because the condom seems less invasive than other forms of contraception, we were surprised they weren’t accepted by a larger percentage.’
IUDs came in last place on the list of parent-accepted contraceptive methods for teens, with just 18% of those surveyed feeling OK with their daughters using it. The IUD, which is a uterus-implant that releases small amounts of either copper or progesterone to prevent pregnancy, is the ‘first-line recommendation’ for teenagers by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, but Hartman surmises that parents may be concerned what it may do to their daughters’ wellness.
According to Hartman, ‘IUD acceptance is pretty congruent with what we see in our clinics. They are safe and almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, so you would think it’s an obvious method for people. But there are a lot of myths that they cause infection and infertility that remain from the old IUDs of the 1970s which may be influencing parents’ perceptions.’
However, the one and only predictor of acceptability across all methods was parental recognition of their teen’s independence. Hartman advised, ‘Clinicians can play an important role in supporting adolescents’ transition into adulthood, which involves supporting them in taking greater responsibility in making decisions about their own health. Confidential time between the adolescent and clinician supports this transition as well as ensures that adolescents have access to needed services. Parents are also integral to their adolescents’ health and their support of their teen’s access to confidential health services is an important part of the health partnership.’
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