15 y/o on the pill?? WWYD??
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15 y/o on the pill?? WWYD??
| Wed, 11-15-2006 - 8:05am |
Last night my DD 15 N came to me and asked me about going on birth control pills.
| Wed, 11-15-2006 - 8:05am |
Last night my DD 15 N came to me and asked me about going on birth control pills.
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Rose,
Seems I'm a bit late chiming in on this, and you've gotten much better advice than I could offer, but I actually talked to our doctor about this very thing when DD had her annual in August.
But what I asked was if there was some way other than b/c pills that lessened the affects of heavy periods -- thinking there might be some herbal supplement or holistic approach I wasn't aware of. I was told that no, there really wasn't. So far, I'm not ready, willing or see any reason to put DD on b/c pills other than to reduce the $$$ I spend on new undies for her every month OR the time I spend washing sheets and pjs. Granted, she's not even close to being sexually active (if she is, it would come as such a shock I would fall over dead) so that is not an issue.
Anyway, I know a woman who did put her 15yo DD on the pill to help her cope with heavy periods and also to help with acne. The girl LOVED the affect the pill had on her periods and her acne, but she did not love the 'stigma' she felt was attached to the fact she was on the pill, i.e., her friends that knew (and even best friends 'talk') and/or if others found out, would assume she was sexually active and so after 6-8 months, she chose to stop taking the pill and deal with the periods the best she can.
I too, think the timing is a bit suspicious and also agree that this is something you may want to bring up with her doctor and see what he/she suggests.
And if there is some other alternative to b/c pills that you learn of, please! let me know!
{{hugs}}
Julie
My girlfriend and I are both on the pill to control pain and to ensure synchronized cycles. The doctor said this was a safe and effective way of lowering pain and keeping track.
I trust doctor prescribed hormones much more than OTC roots, herbs, extracts, vitamins, or minerals. At least with doctor prescribed hormones I know they are working with my body and are controlled by the FDA. Without FDA oversight on herbal supplements there is no telling what the hell a person is doing to their body.
Kayla and I both agree, we love our hormones!
P. S. In health class we learned about some people who died taking holistic herbal drugs.
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Good point. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Rose,
My youngest DD came to me at 16 requesting birth control for birth control purposes. It was a very hard thing to do. When I took her to the doctor, I honestly felt like I was taking a lamb to the slaughter. Then about a year later, she decided that sex was having a negative affect on her relationship and decided to become abstinent. She had always had cramps, heavy periods, back aches, head aches with her periods. The pills actually made her very queasy so she quit taking them when she no longer needed them. About 6 months after she quit taking them, she wanted to do something but no pills for the period problems. I took her to the doctor who suggested the patch. I was a little uncomfortable with that but was assured that the blood clot problems are in older women with a history of other health problems. So this is what DD now uses. She isn't queasy and doesn't have as many of the problems that she had before. I, like you, thought it was a little too coincidental that the request for birth control was right about the time that she was going to be leaving for college. However, I let that all slide b/c she's 18 and I had already allowed her to have the birth control once.
I would probably go ahead and take her to the doctor. There may be some other alternative than birth control (although I don't think so). I would let her have the birth control if that's what the doctor suggested. However, I would continue to have those mother/daughter talks on a regular basis.
So far as DH is concerned, I discussed this with DH a few months before DD asked the first time. He told me it would be best if he just didn't know and that he wouldn't consider it my keeping secrets from b/c he told me too. So I just never told him. He found them and was very upset for a while but he handled himself pretty well. He doesn't know about the birth control this time either. I simply told him I took DD to the doctor for problems with her period and she was given something to help. He was happy with that simple explanation. I'm not suggesting that you not tell DH. I would never have considered keeping that info from DH except that he knew he couldn't handle this and someone would have gotten hurt by his response. That was probably the hardest part of it - I didn't have him to get strength from. But on the flip side, I didn't have to deal with his being upset either.
Thank you all so much for your replies.
I'm coming in late in the day on this one (DARN that workplace internet monitoring! lol). If this were my daughter, I'd probably go through the same thought process as you - she's mostly responsible and honest with me, no reason to doubt her. (and I know you know the right conversations to have about sex and disease and responsibility)
But, I think my next step would be to make an appt with my gyno and talk it over all three of us. Heavy, long periods are a health concern, and there might be some insight or advice the gyno could give. Also, any long-term health concerns of being on BC starting this young can be discussed in a neutral and factual forum. If, after this discussion, you, your DD, and your DH are satisfied, then you could see if BC helps her periods.
I had very heavy and crampy periods in HS and was very uncomfortable for 1-2 days a month. It never occured to me to go on the pill (until later), but it might have been an option.
Sue
I have been accused of being very blunt on more than one occasion so if I have offended you in any way please excuse me.
No offense taken... I can be pretty blunt sometimes too.
When I talked to her NP, she said that where N has had periods for 3 years already, the pill is of no more concern for her from a physical standpoint than it would be if she were 20.
Yes, I know, if they want to have sex, they will find a place and time, no matter how closely his mom and I watch them.
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