Would you be cautious?Birth Control for 13yo with nausea, cramps, heavy 7 day cycles? (Family history of endometriosis)

[Anonymous]

I think it is important to involve the teen in the conversation. There are significant benefits but there are also risks and side effects. Just because your individual child didn’t experience a side effect or any or the risks doesn’t mean they are misperceptions or that they don’t exist. Informed consent is about looking at all the information and making a decision that is best for you. In most cases the benefits will outweigh the risks and side effects. But your teen should be aware of the side effects and risks of anything they take. The more educated they are, the better it is to minimize risk as they will be more aware if they do experience anything.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t hesitate to put her on the birth control. I suffered from extreme dysmenorrhea as a teen and it was life changing to have the pain alleviated. No issues with the medication whatsoever, aside from the wonderful benefit of better skin. Went on to have three kids.

[Anonymous]

What about diet?

Our carb heavy ultra processed food culture is contributing to the early onset of puberty and periods for girls. They are painful and could be improved with an improved diet. Whole Foods, animal based with lots of animal fats will reverse and keep young women’s hormones in check. PCOS is insulin resistance and will correct itself with diet and lifestyle.

The Standard American Diet induces health issues and the standard American response is to correct it with lifelong pharmaceuticals.

Please don’t do this to your girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t hesitate to put her on the birth control. I suffered from extreme dysmenorrhea as a teen and it was life changing to have the pain alleviated. No issues with the medication whatsoever, aside from the wonderful benefit of better skin. Went on to have three kids.

+1

I was on the Pill from 1989 until we decided to start a family in 2007. Had three kids and no complications.

My daughters both suffer from dysmenorrhea and they started the pill at 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about diet?

Our carb heavy ultra processed food culture is contributing to the early onset of puberty and periods for girls. They are painful and could be improved with an improved diet. Whole Foods, animal based with lots of animal fats will reverse and keep young women’s hormones in check. PCOS is insulin resistance and will correct itself with diet and lifestyle.

The Standard American Diet induces health issues and the standard American response is to correct it with lifelong pharmaceuticals.

Please don’t do this to your girls.

As an RN and a former fertility nurse, PCOS doesn’t just go away with diet and lifestyle. It is lifelong. I have had a marathon runner with cysts all over their ovaries.

I can’t believe you just posted that comment.

[Anonymous]

New poster and I haven't read all of this but I have always had endometriosis although I didn't realize it until I tried to get pregnant. My mom didn't take my cramps seriously in HS so I never discussed it with a doctor, and in college I asked about endometriosis and was dismissed. But after trying prescription pain reliever (I don't remember what) around my period that didn't work, my doc did put me on the pill. It was life changing and I so wish I could have gone on it sooner. If it is endometriosis my Ob said the only things that help it are the pill and pregnancy. I am now 52 and considering going back on it because my cramps are coming back.

I would absolutely see the specialist but would go ahead and have your daughter start a low dose pill in the mean time. The cramps are horrible and anything that helps is worth it.

[Anonymous]

I had horrible cramps and unpredictable cycles as a teen (bleeding level was manageable but the pill did make my periods somewhat lighter) and the pill was so helpful. She doesn’t necessarily have to be on it forever unless she wants to. You can take it through, say, HS and college and then go off it and see where your cycles are when you hit your early-mid 20s and your hormone levels even out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about diet?

Our carb heavy ultra processed food culture is contributing to the early onset of puberty and periods for girls. They are painful and could be improved with an improved diet. Whole Foods, animal based with lots of animal fats will reverse and keep young women’s hormones in check. PCOS is insulin resistance and will correct itself with diet and lifestyle.

The Standard American Diet induces health issues and the standard American response is to correct it with lifelong pharmaceuticals.

Please don’t do this to your girls.

+1

[Anonymous]

Try ashwagandha tea and yoga. Foreal.