Nurse practitioner role in improving health outcomes for marginalized adolescents through levonorgestrel intrauterine system use

Adolescence is a life stage that is characterized by rapid growth, physical and emotional changes. It is also the beginning of sexual maturation which creates challenges that are inherent with risk taking. Adolescents are known to be at risk for unplanned pregnancy and associated negative consequences, but marginalized female adolescents are even more vulnerable. Prevention of pregnancy through access and availability of effective contraception is a key facet in meeting the sexual health care needs of this population. The purpose of this paper was to explore the nurse practitioner role in improving the sexual health of marginalized female adolescents through contraceptive prescribing practices, specifically through prescription and administration of the LNG-IUS. A review of current literature was undertaken to examine the prescribing practices of NPs and the use of the LNG-IUS in the identified population. NP prescribing trends and the potential for increasing access to contraception with positive health outcomes were identified themes in the literature, demonstrating that NPs are highly capable of improving the sexual health of marginalized female adolescents. Furthermore, the literature demonstrates that the LNG-IUS is an excellent and appropriate choice of contraception for this population and NPs can be secure in the decision to recommend, prescribe and insert the LNG-IUS for marginalized adolescent female patients requiring contraception. --P.2.