Low contraceptive use among teenagers points to the need for greater awareness and reliable reproductive health information
For many teenagers, conversations around contraception and sexual health still remain difficult to have openly. Yet, as doctors continue to see young patients with unintended pregnancies, the need for early and accurate awareness is becoming increasingly important.
ALSO READ: Guwahati Homestays Face Questions Over Verification, Records And Oversight
Teenage years are often marked by curiosity, changing relationships and limited understanding of reproductive health. In the absence of reliable information, many young people may either avoid contraception altogether or rely on misconceptions about how it works.
While more teenagers are now approaching healthcare professionals for help when they face an unintended pregnancy, doctors believe the focus also needs to shift towards prevention, helping adolescents understand contraception, its correct use, its limitations and the importance of seeking medical advice.
According to Dr. Aundhriti Dutta, Consultant Gynaecologist at Pratiksha Rainbow Children’s Hospital, contraceptive use among teenage girls and young women in her practice remains relatively low. She said many young women seek medical attention only after an unintended pregnancy occurs.
“Sadly, they don’t use contraceptives. I prefer them to use contraception during intercourse, but most of them avoid it, which often leads to unplanned pregnancy,” Dr. Dutta said.
She said that although young girls are now more willing to approach doctors for treatment than they were in the past, the lack of preventive awareness can expose them to other health risks as well.
“Earlier, young girls used to hesitate, and now they are coming forward to take treatment, which is a good thing. But there are risks apart from pregnancy, including sexually transmitted infections,” she said.
The doctor said a significant number of the young patients seeking consultation are teenagers, many of them students in schools and colleges. According to her, girls in the 17-18 age group form a considerable part of this group, making awareness about contraception and sexual health particularly important.
For adolescents, understanding contraception is not limited to preventing pregnancy. Doctors say young people also need to know about sexually transmitted infections, correct contraceptive use, possible side effects and the importance of consulting a qualified medical professional before taking hormonal medication.
One commonly discussed method is the contraceptive pill. However, Dr. Dutta said pills should not be taken without appropriate medical advice.
“Nowadays, hormonal issues like PCOS and other menstrual or hormonal problems are very common. Therefore, consulting a doctor before taking pills is very important,” she said.
She explained that hormonal contraceptive pills can sometimes be prescribed for specific medical reasons, including menstrual-cycle regulation, depending on an individual's health condition. Low-dose hormonal pills may be considered in some cases, but the choice of contraceptive should be based on medical advice rather than self-medication.
Contraceptives can serve multiple purposes depending on the method being used. Their primary role is preventing unintended pregnancy, while certain hormonal contraceptives can also help regulate menstrual cycles in some patients. Condoms, meanwhile, provide an important additional benefit by reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections when used correctly and consistently.
For teenagers who are sexually active, doctors therefore stress the importance of understanding both pregnancy prevention and STI protection.
Dr. Dutta said younger people should consider appropriate contraceptive methods, including condoms, particularly because condoms can provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.
However, despite the increasing availability of information online, several misconceptions continue to surround contraception. One such misconception relates to emergency contraception.
According to Dr. Dutta, some people believe that taking an emergency contraceptive pill guarantees protection against pregnancy.
“People think that i-Pill is 100 per cent effective. It is not,” she said, adding that emergency contraception is time-sensitive and its effectiveness can decrease depending on how long after intercourse it is taken.
Emergency contraceptive pills are intended for use after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure and are different from regular contraceptive methods. They are not intended to replace regular contraception, and medical advice may be appropriate in situations involving repeated use or concerns about pregnancy.
Dr. Dutta also highlighted ectopic pregnancy as another serious reproductive-health concern. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilised egg implants outside the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. Such pregnancies require medical attention because they can become dangerous if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
The discussion around teenage contraception also raises a broader question: how well informed are adolescents about sexual and reproductive health?
With young people increasingly receiving information from social media, search engines and online platforms, doctors say access to information does not necessarily mean access to accurate information. Young people may come across conflicting advice, myths or incomplete explanations about contraception.
“Sexual health counselling is important. Google cannot always be trusted regarding these issues,” she said, emphasising the need for proper guidance from healthcare professionals.
This also places responsibility on parents, schools and healthcare providers to create spaces where adolescents can ask questions without fear or embarrassment. Age-appropriate and medically accurate information can help young people understand reproductive health before they face an unintended pregnancy or an infection.
For parents and educators, the challenge is not simply to discuss contraception, but to ensure that adolescents understand how different contraceptive methods work, their limitations and the circumstances in which medical advice is necessary.
Conversations about sexual health should not be restricted to girls. Boys and young men also need accurate information about contraception, consent, sexually transmitted infections and responsible sexual behaviour.
The low use of contraception among teenagers, as observed in clinical practice, points to the need for greater awareness and access to reliable information on sexual and reproductive health. At the same time, doctors stress that contraceptive choices need to be made carefully, taking an individual’s health and medical history into account, particularly when hormonal methods are involved.
As conversations around teenage sexual health remain limited in many families and educational settings, the question now is how effectively parents, schools and healthcare professionals can create safe spaces for adolescents to seek accurate information and ask questions without hesitation. For many young people, having the right information at the right time could be an important step towards making informed decisions about their health and future.
