Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: Two-Volume Series (Part 2)

Tania S. Burgert, MD

Kathy Hoeger, MD, MPH

Adolescence is a time of physical, psychological, and social change that is unmatched to any other time in life. In this period of reproductive transition, providing up-to-date care can have an enormous impact on the well-being of the adolescent. This issue of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine is devoted to the exploration of sexual and reproductive health in adolescence. We have invited the leading international researchers and clinicians in this field to address the latest perspectives on the diagnosis and management of reproductive health concerns in adolescents.

Volume 1 is dedicated to examining conditions that are tied to genetic, physiologic, and endocrine etiologies commonly encountered in adolescence. Volume 2 is devoted to psychosocial reproductive and sexual health with an eye on adolescent reproductive health care disparities encountered in the United States and globally.

Volume 2 starts off with an excellent review of the newest trends in contraceptive options for adolescents by Drs. Bliss Kaneshiro, Shandhini Raidoo, and Marit Shapiro. While teenage pregnancy may or may not be intentional, Drs. Eva Pressman, Logan Todhunter, and Megan Hogan-Roy inform of the specific medical risks for both infants and young mothers. Mental health can be both an antecedent and contributing factor to teenage pregnancy and Drs. Kathleen Tebb and Claire Brindis review the complex psychological effect of pregnancy in teens, while Drs. Maria Ospina, Sana Amjad, Maryam Adesunkanmi, Jasna Twynstra, and Jaimie Seabrook underscore the social determinants of pregnancy health outcome in adolescents and the need to acknowledge the intersectional nature of these determinants. Drs. Jacqueline Boyle, Nigus Yimer, Jennifer Hall, Ruth Walker, Brian Jack, and Kirsten Black then proceed to weave adolescent developmental, social, and psychological circumstances into the adolescent reproductive life plan. Drs. Romina Barral, Michele Kelley, Megan Harrison, Veronica Svetaz, Yvette Efevbera, Swati Bhave, and Nuray Kanbur dissect adolescent reproductive health disparities through the lens of health equity and reproductive justice, as they detail the barriers to reproductive care. Drs. Maya Ragavan, Romina Barral, and Kimberly Randell complete volume 2 by exploring the varying forms of adolescent relationship abuse and guiding the reader to not only recognizing abuse but also addressing it to the health care setting.

All authors have provided the most current management strategies as well as their insights into the future of reproductive health care challenges in adolescents. We hope that you find this up-to-date compendium a benefit to your adolescent patients.

Publication History

Article published online:
30 June 2022