An update on emergency contraception use in adolescents.

Changing circumstances regarding access to emergency contraception (EC) warrant nurses' review of its current status. Nurses have the potential to improve adolescents' awareness of and access to EC so that adolescents may prevent pregnancy. Research suggests that adolescents lack awareness of EC methods that prevent pregnancy following an unprotected act of intercourse. Many pregnancies occurring in adolescence could be prevented with appropriate EC use. Studies show that adolescents are capable of using EC correctly and safely, and that access to EC is not associated with increased rates of unprotected intercourse or with higher rates of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.