Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and Youth

• Maturation issues: menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances often accompany the menses in the early years before regular menstruation is established. Also, boys experience premature ejaculation.
• Unwanted pregnancy: high proportions of pregnancies among 15-19 years-old women are untimely or unwanted.
• Unsafe abortion: most abortions among adolescents and youth are unsafe because they are performed illegally, under hazardous conditions, and by unskilled practitioners.
• Young women, compared to older women, experience, increased complications from pregnancy, childbirth, and unsafe abortion.
• Young people face increased health risks from sexual activity including STIs and HIV. Each year, more than one-half of all new HIV infections occur in young people under 25 years, and more than two-thirds of all reported STI infections occur among this group in developing countries.