A 15 year old girl comes to you wanting some form of contraception. She wants you to not tell any of her family members. Her boyfriend is with her and appears to be supportive of the need for contraception. You know that the legal age for sexual activityin the US is 18 years or older. What should you do in this situation?

1. Give the patient a Gynecological examination and if no contra-indication - provide contraception but NOT tell her parents/guardians
2. Give the patient a Gynecological examination and if no contra-indication - provide contraception but tell her parents/guardians
3. Tell the child that she must bring her parents along for counselling and consent before you provide her with contraception
4. Since sexual activity under 18 is statutory rape, you must tell the law enforcement authorities
5. Since the child is a minor, you must tell the Juvenle health department

Answer is 1.

Minor wanting contraception (this is excerpted from the article on adolescent confidentiality)

If an adolescent asks you for contraceptives - you should not only give /prescribe them but you, as a good physician, must take extra time to explain their use and side effects as some adolescents have no idea about these devices/pills and their limitations. It is wrong to call the parent in to tell them about these issues or tell the police about something the adolescent vested in you or to deny this young individual care that an adult would get routinely from you. It is actually correct to directly reassure the child that you will not divulge information to anyone.

Only abuse, suicide or homicide cannot be granted confidentiality.

As to which method to use for contraception, one must stress the importance of   barrier methods (condoms) in prevention of STDs which is not provided by Oral contraceptive pills. Safer still would be to use BOTH together.