Adolescent Infertility: A Case Report

Abstract

Reproductive health for teens has primarily focused on preventing or delaying pregnancies (and sexually transmitted infections [STIs]) rather than treating infertility. There continues to be millions of teen pregnancies per year ( Martin et al., 2015 Martin J.A. Hamilton B.E. Osterman M.J.K. Curtin S.C. Mathews T.J. Births: Final data for 2013. National Vital Statistics Report. 2015; 64: 1-65 PubMed Google Scholar ), many intended by females and/or their partners, especially in developing countries where adolescent parenting is commonplace to the cultural norms ( Haimov-Kochman et al., 2008 Haimov-Kochman R. Imbar T. Farchat M. Bdolah Y. Hurwitz A. Adolescent infertility—To treat or not to treat. Fertility and Sterility. 2008; 90 (2009.e1–2009.e4) Google Scholar ). In the United States, there is evidence in media reports (e.g., the Massachusetts pregnancy pact [ Kingsbury, 2008 Kingsbury K. Gloucester pregnancy plot thickens. Time. 2008; (Retrieved from)http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1817272,00.html Google Scholar ] and the reality TV program Teen Mom) and in the medical literature that some adolescents consider pregnancy desirable. Crosby et al., 2001 Crosby R.A. DiClemente R.J. Wingood G.M. Sionean C. Cobb B.K. Harrington K. Oh M.K. Correlates of adolescent females’ worry about undesired pregnancy: The importance of partner desire for pregnancy. Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology. 2001; 14: 123-127 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar found that 21% of their nonpregnant adolescent participants wanted to become pregnant. What is less clear in the literature and among many clinicians is how to properly manage an adolescent seeking health care when unsuccessful in achieving a desired pregnancy. Anne L. Derouin, Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC. Eleanor L. Stevenson, Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC.