A study was conducted to describe 12 female adolescents' oral contraceptive perceptions that were considered first independently and then after facilitation by a nurse. A self- administered decisional balance sheet elicited 44 descriptions of oral contraceptive perceptions, and a structured interview elicited 31 additional descriptions. The data were content-analyzed for common elements. The majority of participants perceived oral contraceptive benefits related to pregnancy prevention and others' approval and barriers related to side effects and others' disapproval. Participants considered additional oral contraceptive perceptions upon facilitation by a nurse after the opportunity for independent consideration. Facilitation of female adolescents' consideration of oral contraceptive perceptions may be an appropriate nursing intervention.