Birth control pill for teen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is really "on" birth control unless they actually ingest the pill every day. I would assume young teens are not responsible enough to do that.

Your assumption is not necessarily correct. In addition, there are other forms of hormonal contraception where you don't have to take a pill every day.

I’m a pp whose DD is on the pill for cramps and vomit. She absolutely takes it regularly(she’s highly motivated by the outcome if she doesn’t). If this pill hadn’t worked any better than the two before it, the pediatric gynecologist said the shot was a possible next step. I’m not sure why she didn’t start there but I’m guessing there was a reason. As for an IUD, having had one myself I don’t know that I’d put my young teen through that. Plus, not all people skip periods with that, and doing so reliably was our goal.

[Anonymous]

Totally normal! My periods were like that as a teen and going on BCP was a life changer. I was an older teen- an incoming college freshman. But I wish my mom had allowed it sooner. There are So many types of pills now, I’m sure a gyno can help your daughter find one that’s right for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is really "on" birth control unless they actually ingest the pill every day. I would assume young teens are not responsible enough to do that.

Your assumption is not necessarily correct. In addition, there are other forms of hormonal contraception where you don't have to take a pill every day.

I’m a pp whose DD is on the pill for cramps and vomit. She absolutely takes it regularly(she’s highly motivated by the outcome if she doesn’t). If this pill hadn’t worked any better than the two before it, the pediatric gynecologist said the shot was a possible next step. I’m not sure why she didn’t start there but I’m guessing there was a reason. As for an IUD, having had one myself I don’t know that I’d put my young teen through that. Plus, not all people skip periods with that, and doing so reliably was our goal.

The patch and the ring are options too.

[Anonymous]

48 year old woman here. I was on the pill for most of my adult life (different brands, doses, breaks for pregnancy etc.) and when I stopped a few years ago I realized it had been causing the severe IBD I had been suffering from since my early 30s. It may have even caused my gluten intolerance but that part I can’t prove.

[Anonymous]

Women’s health NP weighing in - all of the hormonal methods ( pill, ring, patch, depo shot, IUD, implant) can potentially help improve symptoms associated with period. As others have said above, especially with the pill when there are so many options, it can sometimes take a few tries to find the right one. And with the choice of methods, whether or not they’re also be used as a contraceptive, it’s really usually a process of trial and error. IUDs are certainly an option and can be incredibly effective, but If i were doing an insert for someone so young I’d have a pretty low threshold for discontinuing if she became too uncomfortable. The last thing I’d want to do is traumatize someone already experiencing such severe monthly symptoms. I also really like the Skyla IUD for younger women/ teens: It is smaller with a more flexible inserter and less painful going in. The nice thing about the pill (or the ring or the patch which are the same method just deliver the medication differently) is she keeps her control of the process. If she doesn’t like it she just stops taking it in the hormones her body very quickly she doesn’t have to go for a procedure to have something take it out or wait three months for the Depo to run its course or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is really "on" birth control unless they actually ingest the pill every day. I would assume young teens are not responsible enough to do that.

Of course they are don’t be ridiculous

Op this post is ignorant ignore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is really "on" birth control unless they actually ingest the pill every day. I would assume young teens are not responsible enough to do that.

Of course they are don’t be ridiculous

Op this post is ignorant ignore

Not that poster but the point is probably that she shouldn’t rely on it alone for BC—she should always use a condom as well. Probably important to have that conversation with her.

[Anonymous]

It is reasonably common for young women (14 and up) athletes to use low dose pills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if this should go here or in the Health forum, but does anyone have a fairly young teen on a birth control pill - especially if they are on it but NOT for contraception.

I'm asking because my 14 year old has painful and heavy periods. And she hates it. And she associates it with being female and being able to get pregnant. She has tried tampons twice and says it really painful and refuses to use them. I was listening to a podcast somewhat on this subject today and a woman called in and said that she doesn't consider the pill just birth control but menstruation control since (in her words) menstruation is only necessary for pregnancy. That was kind of a light bulb - like, does she have to deal with this?

Obviously I would talk to our doctor and a gynecologist, etc. before doing this, and I have a lot of hesitation, but at the same time I'm thinking, why not? I was on the pill from 19-33. I did take the sugar pills and got my period but my periods were no big deal and it cured what I think was endometriosis.

If there's anyone that's on birth control with no period, what do you think?

I'm someone who had bad periods as a teen and birth control pills changed my life. Please do this for your daughter.

[Anonymous]

My teen had really bad periods and it turned out she has PCOS. Was prescribed the pill and it has been life altering for her (in a positive way). This generation of kids is smarter to know that the 'pill' is more than birth control. People take the pill for a lot of other health reasons.

[Anonymous]

I took the pill for bad cramps and acne starting at 16. I wasn't sexually active until college. It was hugely beneficial for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is really really common for young teens to go on the pill for this reason and I encourage you to think seriously about it. It can truly be life-changing for someone who has debilitating periods.

+1. My DD was leaving school from painful periods...and missing the classes.

Getting on a low dose pill has helped a lot. She doesn't miss school and is able to work her summer job (outdoors, hot, a lot of standing). No way she could do that without the pill. Plus, it really helped her acne too!

[Anonymous]

Last PP here. DD saw a "pediatric gynecologist". She required DD to get an ultrasound to rule out any problems. Dr. Rachel Casey. She's very good.

[Anonymous]

Do it. It will help her now and prevent pregnancy in the future, win win.

And FWIW I found the ring much easier on my system than the pill. Super easy to skip periods with — just leave the ring in an extra week and then switch out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last PP here. DD saw a "pediatric gynecologist". She required DD to get an ultrasound to rule out any problems. Dr. Rachel Casey. She's very good.

This is who my DD sees, as well. I highly recommend her.