The Women’s Health Journey Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Generally, with the onset of menses, it is reasonable to consider and provide contraceptive counselling for our patients. Despite the variability in timing of menarche for a given patient, the age of consent in Canada is 16. The age of consent is the age at which a young person can legally agree to sexual activity. Age of consent laws apply to all forms of sexual activity, ranging from kissing and fondling to penetrative intercourse. However, a 14- or 15-year-old can consent to sexual activity as long as the partner is less than 5 years older and there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any other exploitation of the young person. There is also a "close in age" exception for 12- and 13-year-olds. A 12- or 13-year-old can consent to sexual activity with a partner as long as the partner is less than 2 years older and there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any other exploitation of the young person. As providers of healthcare, we need to be aware of these parameters and begin counselling our patients, if appropriate, to offer options for protection from unplanned pregnancy.  The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) reaffirmed in the Contraception Consensus 2015, and later updated during the pandemic, that recommendations for screening, duration of use, follow-up assessments, and the provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods as first-line contraception methods should be provided. During pandemic situations, provision of family planning services must be adapted in an evidence-based fashion. For young patients, issues regarding care and counselling may include access, privacy, and timing. As health care professionals, we should be removing any barriers in order to offer care and counselling to young patients.