birth control for 14 year old

[Anonymous]

DD went on the pill at 14 for her heavy periods and bad cramps.

1 day per month doesn’t sound like a lot but if the school sees a pattern they ask questions. That was our case. We were all called in to meet with her counselor and also a truancy officer.

Her only missed days were period related and the school wasn’t happy with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD went on the pill at 14 for her heavy periods and bad cramps.

1 day per month doesn’t sound like a lot but if the school sees a pattern they ask questions. That was our case. We were all called in to meet with her counselor and also a truancy officer.

Her only missed days were period related and the school wasn’t happy with it.

One day a month is a lot in high school with a rigorous courseload.

[Anonymous]

I would be open to the options, but would definitely chat with her pediatrician or a Gyn who works with teens. Or have her handle those conversations with her doctors if she’s comfortable, either with or without me present. Birth control works well for some people, but has side effects (I get severe depression when I take hormonal birth control) so should be used with that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18803452

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:
Potent prostaglandins and potent leukotrienes play an important role in generating primary dysmenorrhea symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmacologic treatment for dysmenorrhea. A loading dose of NSAIDs (typically twice the regular dose) should be used as initial treatment for dysmenorrhea, followed by a regular dose until symptoms abate. Adolescents and young adults with symptoms that do not respond to treatment with NSAIDs for three menstrual periods should be offered hormonal treatment such as combined estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for three menstrual cycles. If dysmenorrhea does not improve within 6 months of treatment with NSAID and OCPs, a laparoscopy is indicated to look for endometriosis. The goal of pharmacological treatment for endometriosis is to block its abnormal positive feedback loop. The abnormal loop consists of high local levels of estrogen in the lesions, which induce transcription of COX-2 and synthesis of prostaglandin E(2.) This results in further expression and activity of aromatase and a further increase in estrogen.

This. Thank you for posting evidence and not just anecdotes. If Motrin doesn’t do enough after a few months, ask about birth control pills.

[Anonymous]

Please make sure you and she talk with her doctor about the hormonal side effects. I had horrible depressive problems that worsened with the pill. It got so much better when I stopped taking BC in my 30s. I wish I'd done it years and years earlier.

[Anonymous]

Please have her try one Aleve for cramps. For me, much , much different results than Motrin or Advil.

[Anonymous]

I had awful cramps in high school I had no idea BC could help. When I was 21 and lost my virginity I went on BC and was amazed at how much it helped me! After 2 kids I got an IUD and would not suggest it for a 14YO - getting it inserted was more painful to me than 2 drug-free births of 9+ lb babies!

[Anonymous]

No way I’d suggest putting my young teen through the pain of IUD insertion! If she really advocated for it I’d let her but it hurt a lot and took several months to settle down. Even 1.5 years later I get random twingy cramps. Maybe the smaller Kyleena or whatever is less painful. However as a high schooler I never would have remembered to take a pill every day.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t be opposed to it but I suggest changing her diet and increasing activity. Specifically increase fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans. Cut back on junk carbs. Drink water. Yoga and walking These should be regular things not just quick fixes the week of period.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely ask the doctor. I have no idea if that’s too young, but it’s worth asking. That type of pain is awful.

In the mean time, though, there was a study that showed daily calcium supplements helped reduce PMS symptoms and period pain. But you have to take them daily to get close to 1200 mg daily intake. That might be worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IUD. Eliminates the need to remember to take a pill every day at the same time.

That won't help with the menstrual cramps, though. I don't think birth control itself is the issue here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t be opposed to it but I suggest changing her diet and increasing activity. Specifically increase fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans. Cut back on junk carbs. Drink water. Yoga and walking These should be regular things not just quick fixes the week of period.

Diet can make a big difference. If she’ll eat spinach and other leafy greens, I’ve felt improvements when I eat them daily. Google it, there are studies to back this up.