[Hormonal contraception for adolescents? (author's transl)].

Pregnancy in adolescence is seldom planned. If an adolescent girl comes to the doctor with a pressing desire for hormonal contraception, the many risks must be weighed against each other. Endocrinologically the "post-pill amenorrhea" and later reduced fertility are quantitatively of little importance. Developmentally and psychologically the danger of delayed growth as a result of the steroids present in the ovulation inhibitors is small. It is particularly important to weight the perinatal risks of an unwanted pregnancy against the risks of a hormonal contraceptive. Among the psychosocial factors impaired development of personality is prominent. Altogether, an unwanted pregnancy carries considerably more risk for an adolescent girl than hormonal contraception.