Medical protocols that fit teens

Public Health - Seattle & King County has developed clinical practice guidelines based on medical research that addresses some of the access issues facing the teen population.

Irregular start Depo-Provera and birth control pills:

Public Health - Seattle & King County previously had protocols where clients needed to be on menses (having their period) when they started depo provera and birth control pills. Staff would ask clients to return for depo or to start their pills when they got their periods. However, Public Health found through a chart review that clients would get pregnant before they started their birth control method. Public Health felt that having clients return for depo or starting their pills on their period was a barrier to clients who did not want to get pregnant. This is particularly true for clients who may have difficulty with transportation.

As a result, Public Health developed additional protocols. Because research has shown that if a client is pregnant, birth control such as depo provera or birth control pills will not harm a pregnancy, Public Health now allows clients who have a negative pregnancy test that day to receive depo or to start pills when they are not on their period. Clients are asked to return in two weeks for another pregnancy test.