Lapeer · Rochester Hills · Telehealth
Birth Control
for Teens
Contraception and Adolescent Gynecologic Care — Safe, Confidential, and Evidence-Based
Adolescent contraceptive counseling is one of the most important clinical services in women’s health. The birth control methods that work best for teenagers — long-acting reversible contraceptives — are consistently underused in this age group. And birth control for teenagers often serves multiple clinical purposes beyond contraception, including management of painful periods, PCOS, and endometriosis.
Dr. Ramona D. Andrei, MD, PhD, FACOG provides adolescent gynecologic care including contraceptive counseling at both our Lapeer and Rochester Hills offices.
Board-certified gynecology & minimally invasive surgery · Most major insurances accepted
Serving Lapeer County & Oakland County
Adolescent contraceptive counseling involves the teenager, her parents when the teenager wishes, and the clinical context of her specific health needs and reproductive goals. The clinical approach at Lapeer Women’s Health is non-judgmental, age-appropriate, medically thorough, and focused on the adolescent’s health and wellbeing. Birth control counseling for teenagers often serves multiple purposes simultaneously — contraception where needed, management of menstrual disorders, and the initiation of a relationship with gynecologic care that will serve her health for decades.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives — Recommended as First-Line for Adolescents
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends LARC methods — IUDs and the implant — as first-line contraceptive options for adolescents because of their superior effectiveness, their maintenance-free nature, and their safety profile. The most common reason teenage contraception fails is inconsistent use of daily methods — a problem that LARCs eliminate entirely. IUDs are appropriate for adolescents who have never been pregnant, and the implant is appropriate for any teenager. The hormonal IUD provides the additional benefit of significantly reducing menstrual pain and flow — an important advantage for adolescents with dysmenorrhea or heavy periods.
Combined Oral Contraceptives — Contraception Plus Non-Contraceptive Benefits
Combined oral contraceptives are commonly prescribed for adolescents both for contraception and for management of dysmenorrhea, heavy periods, acne, and early endometriosis. They are safe for use in healthy teenagers without contraindications. Daily adherence is the primary challenge, and the gap between perfect-use and typical-use effectiveness reflects this challenge in adolescent users. For teenagers who are reliable with daily medication, the pill is an appropriate and beneficial choice.
The Importance of Dual Protection
No contraceptive method other than condoms provides STI protection. Adolescents using hormonal contraception or IUDs should be counseled on condom use for STI prevention alongside their chosen method — this is called dual protection and is the recommended approach for sexually active teenagers. STI screening appropriate to the teenager’s age and activity is integrated into the adolescent gynecologic visit at Lapeer Women’s Health.
Birth Control for Non-Contraceptive Reasons
Many teenagers are prescribed birth control not for contraception but for medical management of dysmenorrhea, heavy periods, PCOS-related irregular cycles, or endometriosis. The clinical conversation around these prescriptions includes both the medical rationale and a non-judgmental discussion of contraceptive use if the adolescent is or becomes sexually active. Birth control for medical reasons is a legitimate and common clinical practice in adolescent gynecology and does not require parental concern about implicit endorsement of sexual activity.
At Lapeer Women’s Health, adolescent gynecologic visits are conducted with respect for the teenager’s developing autonomy alongside appropriate parental involvement when the teenager wishes. The clinical focus is on the teenager’s health, her questions, and her needs — in an environment where she feels safe asking the questions she needs to ask.
Both our Lapeer and Rochester Hills offices welcome adolescent patients. No referral required.
Our team at Lapeer Women’s Health welcomes teenage patients at both our Lapeer and Rochester Hills offices. No referral required.
Schedule a Gynecologic VisitEducational purposes only. Not medical advice. Content reviewed by Dr. Ramona D. Andrei, MD PhD FACOG.
Gynecologic care for women of every age
Lapeer Women’s Health — Rochester Hills
2710 S Rochester Rd, Suite 2
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Serving patients in Lapeer, Rochester Hills, and surrounding communities throughout Southeast Michigan.