Contraceptive Advice

The American Academy of Family Physicians is concerned about the sexual health of adults and believes physicians should provide patient education and counseling to both men and women to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies. This includes information about abstinence, the provision of contraceptives for routine pregnancy prevention, and providing a prescription for emergency contraception, in advance if requested. It includes the discussion of all forms of contraception, where to obtain them, and the reliability of each. In addition, the family physician should explain how the different forms of contraception do and do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. If the family physician is uncomfortable providing these services, the patient should be referred to another physician or provider who is willing to provide the education. (2007)