Family Planning Service Providers Adolescents Sexually active adolescents are in need of safe and effective contraception.
Studies show that large numbers of teens are sexually active, at least occasionally.
In addition, teenagers tend to have unpredictable lifestyles which revolve around such issues as asserting their independence, convenience and acceptance among their peers. Their relationships may be temporary and multiple sexual partners are likely. Finally, many teens do not use effective contraceptive methods, and those who do are likely to use them infrequently or incorrectly. This often leads to early childbearing which is associated with poor health in both young mothers and their infants. Although parents would prefer teenagers not to be sexually active until they are able to appreciate the risk fully, often they do not wait.