Currently there are three prescription methods of
contraception commonly used by teens: oral contraceptive
pills (OCP), injectable long-acting medroxyprogesteron
(Depo-Provera), and implantable levonorgesterol
(Norplant).
3–5
While each method when appropriately
used is efficacious, poor compliance undermines effective
contraception. Each method has a unique set of
compliance challenges.
3,4,6–9
The
oral contraceptive pill
(OCP) is the most popular and effective contraceptive
method used by teens.
10
However, pregnancy rates
among adolescents who use OCPs range from 8%–
18%, as compared to 2% in adults.
11
The poorer effectiveness
may stem from noncompliance, as 45%–66%
of adolescents discontinue the use of oral contraceptives
within 12 months.
6,12
There are four major reasons
for noncompliance in teens: