Abstract

PIP: This article was written to acquaint nurses involved in contraceptive counseling with the methods currently available in the US and with the general needs of clients of different ages. The article includes a chart giving descriptions, the perfect use failure rate, advantages, and disadvantages of the following: combined oral contraceptives (OCs), progestin-only OCs, Norplant, Depo-Provera, Copper T-380 IUDs, Progestasert IUDs, male condoms, female condoms, spermicide, vaginal diaphragms, cervical caps, natural family planning, the lactation amenorrhea method, sexual sterilization, emergency postcoital contraception using combined OCs, and emergency postcoital contraception with Copper T-380 IUDs. The counseling advice considers how to meet the challenge involved in talking about sexuality, contraception, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases with adolescents. Next, a method-by-method review of topics to discuss with young adults is presented to dispel the misinformation that often results in unintended pregnancies among this group. Contraceptive counseling for postpartum women should address their concerns about when to resume contraceptive usage and which types are appropriate, especially if they are breast feeding. Finally, the article covers the contraceptive needs of perimenopausal women and how to determine when they can stop worrying about contraception. It is concluded that counselors should insure that their facilities offer a wide variety of methods and should always match contraceptive advice to a patient's specific needs.