Teenage pregnancy is when a woman under the age of 20 gets pregnant, usually referring to teens between the ages of 15-19, but it can include girls as young as 10. Teenage pregnancy is a global phenomenon with clearly known causes and serious health, social, and economic consequences to individuals, families, and communities. The adolescent birth rate (ABR) has decreased globally, but rates are still high in many places, particularly among those with less education or of low economic status. In the US, teen birth rates and the number of births to teen mothers have dropped steadily since 1990. The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school achievement, drop out of high school, have more health problems, be incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth as a teenager, and face unemployment as a young adult.

Teenage pregnancy symptoms include missing one or more menstrual periods, nausea or vomiting, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, and frequent urination. Especially for teens who think they cant tell their parents theyre pregnant, feeling scared, isolated, and alone can be a real problem. Without the support of family or other adults, pregnant teens are less likely to eat well, exercise, or get plenty of rest. And they are less likely to get to their regular prenatal visits.

Teenage pregnancy is related to social issues, including lower educational levels and poverty. Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage and is often associated with a social stigma. Teenage pregnancy in developing countries often occurs within marriage and half are planned. However, in these societies, early pregnancy may combine with malnutrition and poor health care to cause medical problems.

Addressing teenage pregnancy requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, access to healthcare, and support from parents and other trusted adults, who can play an important role in helping teens make healthy choices about relationships, sex, and birth control. Girls must be able to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures, understand the effects of teenage pregnancy, and have access to appropriate healthcare services and comprehensive sexuality education.