When prescribing emergency contraception to adolescents, it is important to assess their competency to consent, especially for those under 16 years, by considering Fraser criteria and documenting this assessment NICE CKS.
Healthcare professionals should also evaluate the timing of the last unprotected sexual intercourse and consider pregnancy testing if UPSI occurred earlier in the cycle, noting that pregnancy testing cannot reliably exclude pregnancy if less than 21 days have passed since UPSI NICE CKS.
It is essential to review the adolescent’s medical history for contraindications or factors affecting contraceptive choice, such as current medications (including liver enzyme-inducing drugs), breastfeeding status, and any health conditions that may influence safety NICE CKS.
Special considerations include ensuring confidentiality and understanding the legal context for providing contraception to those under 16, including the need to assess competence and the potential for breach of confidentiality in certain circumstances NICE CKS,NICE.