Undoubtedly, reducing unnecessary pelvic examinations and
cervical cancer screening encounters is important to prevent
well-documented consequent harms and expenses resulting
from overtreatment or unnecessary tests [1,3]. Furthermore,
requiring reflexive pelvic examinations before contraceptive
method provision creates unnecessary barriers, particularly for
adolescents, and may discourage use of the best methods.
Although our findings on the apparent decreasing link between
pelvic exams and receipt of effective contraception are reassuring,
it seems plausible that as clinical practice continues to
change around the screening pelvic examination, consequent
changes in utilization of reproductive health services among
adolescents, both in frequency and in source of services, warrant
continued monitoring, particularly as they may shape reproductive
outcomes.