Brook position statement - contraception and choice

Young people have the right to accurate information so they can make informed choices about contraception.  Brook believes that young women have the right to choose from the whole range of methods of contraception so that they can select the method which best suits their lifestyles and which they are happy to use.

Brook's position on contraception and choice

Brook values every young person’s right to make informed choices about contraception.    Young women should have the right to choose from the whole range of methods of contraception so that they can select the method which best suits their lifestyles and which they are happy to use.

Brook believes that all young people, including those are under 16, are able to make their own decisions about contraception with the right information and support.   

Brook believes that there should be teaching about contraception at school, in the community and in health services to help young people make informed choices about their sexual health.

Yong people, including those under 16, have a well established legal right to consent to their own treatment.    Brook works within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which recognises young people’s evolving capacity to make decisions on their own behalf.

All young people should be provided with accurate information about all methods of contraception and access to the full range of methods in order to make an informed choice about the method that is most acceptable to them, including long-acting reversible contraception.

All methods of long-acting reversible contraception are cost-effective; even at one year of use they are more cost-effective than the combined pill.(1)      With their extremely low failure rates increasing their use clearly has an important part to play in reducing unwanted conceptions.

Brook would be concerned, however, if negative perceptions of young people as irresponsible and unreliable or the drive to reduce teenage conceptions undermined the contraceptive choices available to young people and drive professionals to inappropriately promote long-acting methods.  

Brook promotes proper consultation with young people to determine their needs and wishes arising from their situation and not from stereotypes.    We stress the importance of a high quality professional clinical consultation which presents the risks and benefits of contraception and includes full counselling in the use of the client's chosen method.

Brook is actively engaged in the development of tools to enable young people to make better and more informed choices about contraception.

At Brook

Brook Centres provide impartial information, counselling and support to young people to help them make an informed choice about their options.

Brook Centres provide young people with a choice of all contraceptive methods.    Where they are unable to fit a particular method they will be able to refer young people to other agencies who can provide it.

Brook is committed to training staff so that Centres can provide and fit all types of contraception.

Brook always encourages the use of condoms in addition to the chosen method to protect young people against sexually transmitted infections.

Brook believes young people have a right to confidential advice, information, contraception and treatment.

Contraceptive use at Brook

Based on data recorded at their first visit in the year oral hormonal contraception and condoms predominate as the methods of contraception used by Brook clients.    The pill is the first choice method of 23% of clients while 43% choose condoms.  

Only 6% of clients choose a long acting method at their first contact.    It is likely that the percentage actually using long acting methods is higher but this is not yet captured in the statistics if they are fitted at subsequent visits in the year.

References:

1 National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health, Long acting reversible contraception:  the effective and appropriate use of long-acting reversible contraception.   Clinical Guideline.  NICE October 2005

Publication date: November 2011