Contraceptive Choices in Young People

Question 1

What is the age of consent in the UK?

Answer 1

16 years old

Question 2

Under what age are you considered unable to consent for sexual intercourse?

Answer 2

13 years old

Question 3

If a child under the age of 13 consults you about contraception, what should you do?

Answer 3

Start child protection measures

Question 4

If a child is older than 13 and younger than 16, what can you do as a GP?

Answer 4

Assess to see if they have Gilick Competence using Fraser Guidelines.

Question 5

What are the Fraser guidelines?

Answer 5

• Understands the professionals advice.
• Cannot be persuaded to tell their parents
• To continue or begin having intercourse with or w/o contraception.
• Unless they receive contraception, their physical or mental health will suffer.
• Best interests of the child is to receive contraception with or without parental consent.

Question 6

When should young people be advised to have an STI check?

Answer 6

• Immediately after UPSI for pre-existing infection.
• 2 weeks for aquired infections.
• 3 months (12 weeks) after an incident of UPSI
  
  • (12 weeks for syphilis or HIV)

Question 7

What is the contraception of choice in young people and why?

Answer 7

Nexplanon (LARC)

More reliable and young people may forget to take the pills.

Question 8

Depo-Provera used to not be used in children, why has this changed?

Answer 8

Progesterone only injections have been shown to reduce bone mineral density over time.

BUT studies now show this bone mineral density loss is recoverable after stopping.

Therefore - Consider Depot Provera after considering other options (UKMEC 2 if <18 years)

Question 9

Why isn’t an IUS or an IUD a good choice for a girl under 20 years?

Answer 9

It is UKMEC 2.

Nexplanon (UKMEC 1)