January 2017

LARC use in Adolescents 15-19

Forty-two percent of adolescents aged 15-19 in the United States have had sexual intercourse^1.  Adolescents most commonly use contraceptive methods with a higher risk of failure, such as condoms, withdrawal, or oral contraceptive pills.  Furthermore, 82% of adolescent pregnancies are unplanned, which may indicate that this population may not have access to reliable and effective contraceptive methods.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, which include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the contraceptive implant, are safe and effective for most adolescents and women.  Both can be used to prevent pregnancy for several years and the effects are reversible.  The IUD and the implant are the most effective forms of birth control available, with less than 1% of users becoming pregnant. 

In other states, family planning initiatives that have increased health care provider training and LARC access have led to unprecedented declines in the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions. 

The New Mexico Human Services Department is asking New Mexico Centennial Care health plans to increase the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraception among members ages 15-19 for 2017.  Blue Cross Community Centennial^SM currently covers all LARC forms at a $0 copay.  Please consider LARCs as an effective contraceptive option for your patients.  Additional LARC resources can be found at:  http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-LARC-IUD-and-Implant

1. Abma JC, Martinez GM, Copen CE. Teenagers in the United States: sexual activity, contraceptive use, and childbearing, National Survey of Family Growth 2006–2008. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23 2010;(30):1–47.