Gynecologic issues of the adolescent female solid organ transplant recipient

Advances in the field of transplant medicine are providing adolescent recipients with continual improvements in health and quality of life. With expanding opportunities for normal social and sexual relationships, adolescents require careful attention to their gynecologic and reproductive health (Box 1). Medical considerations vary depending on the type of organ transplanted, underlying and comorbid conditions, and current medication use. Most adolescent girls achieve menarche, however, and irregular cycles should be evaluated and managed with the same considerations applied to healthy young women. The management of menstrual disorders frequently uses hormonal contraceptive methods. Many transplant recipients also are sexually active and require a contraceptive method to prevent a mistimed pregnancy. With careful attention to organ function, other medical problems, and concurrently prescribed medications, many transplant recipients can use safely the currently available methods of hormonal contraception.