BMJ 2000;321:461-462 ( 19 August )

Editorials

Never underestimate the force of reproduction

Effective contraception for teenagers requires a change in medical culture

Papers p 486

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Whether you give weight to the philosophy of a divine human spirit or to the elegant chemistry of evolution, or to both, there is no argument about humankind's drive to reproduce. The strength of that drive manifests in many ways: physically, as the millions of spermatozoa launched with each ejaculation; behaviourally, as the early onset and frequency of sexual activity; institutionally, as the papal preclusions of contraception and abortion; and professionally, as the trivialisation of sexual medicine and fertility control. It was no accident that the first drug to be overtly rationed by the NHS was sildenafil (Viagra). Sexual function was dismissed as a "lifestyle option" rather than an issue of health and wellbeing. But, while sexual intercourse occurs less often, the proportion of humans who will have sex during their lives approaches the proportion that will breathe.¹

Typically, young women who are adequately nourished are fertile. Globally, increasing numbers . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Leung, W.-C., Duffield, K, Josen, P K, Low, E, Teare, K, Wray, E, Churchill, D., Allen, J., Pringle, M., Hippisley-Cox, J., Ebdon, D., Macpherson, M., Bradley, S., McPherson, A., Macfarlane, A., Foran, T. (2001). Contraception in general practice before teenage pregnancy. BMJ 322: 362a-362 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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Never underestimate the force of sex

Ron Law
bmj.com, 18 Aug 2000 [Full text]

Contraception for teenagers

Terri Foran
bmj.com, 24 Aug 2000 [Full text]

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