Important considerations in adolescent health maintenance: Long-acting reversible contraception, human papillomavirus vaccination, and heavy menstrual bleeding

Abstract

Purpose of review The present article addresses recent research related to three key facets of adolescent preventive care and health maintenance: long-acting reversible contraception, human papillomavirus vaccination, and heavy menstrual bleeding. Recent findings Recent studies suggest that long-acting reversible contraception use results in significantly lower rates of unintended pregnancies, and is well tolerated by nulliparous adolescent females. Additionally, a strong recommendation from a pediatric primary care provider is extremely effective in ensuring human papillomavirus vaccination prior to sexual debut. Finally, heavy menstrual bleeding is often under-recognized in adolescents, and evaluation and treatment of these patients are variable. Summary Based on the recent literature findings, the pediatric primary care provider should be encouraged to, first, recommend long-acting reversible contraception for prevention of unintended pregnancy in adolescent patients; second, strongly endorse vaccination to protect against human papillomavirus in all patients prior to sexual debut; and, third, screen adolescent females for signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding.