when should you put a teenager on birth control

Patty - posted on 03/24/2010

talk about birth control anytime, you should have already done this. But putting her on birth control? Why would you do that? That is something that is her decision, when she is mature enough to make that decision. I hope she would come to you for guidance, but that isn't something a parent decides for a child.

Alicia - posted on 03/21/2010

As soon as she started her menstruation!!!! When a young girl starts her menstruation cycle, hormones start to flare and the way things are now, I rather be safe than sorry and end up being a grandma a lot sooner than you planed. I pray I was able to help.
I trust my kids but per-pressure sucks and its just I don't trust anyone else kids, if you understand what I'm trying to say? But at the same time hormones flare up on both sides. Like they say, "It takes two"

Steffanie - posted on 03/20/2010

You need to have open communication with your daughter. If she isn't into boys than I wouldn't be having the birth control conversation with her. Only if her monthly flows are painful and she has excessive bleeding. Let her know she is a women now, and if she chooses to have sex she can get pregnant and sexually transmitted diseases. Tell her she needs to be old enough to handle the responsibility emotionally and mature enough to handle the consequences. Sex should be with someone you really love. Let her know that you are there for her, and you love and support her. Have open communication without judgment. When she shows interest in boys, do your best to monitor her, and if you feel like she might be engaging in sexual activity, make sure she knows how to use condoms and is on the pill. My parents showed me how to use a condom when I was 17 and sexually active, it was embarrassing, but I learned how too use it. The old pink haired lady that showed us birth control methods in health class was just scary!

Cassandra - posted on 03/20/2010

I may not be very popular for this but if you're going to talk to your daughter about these things you need to be mature about it. It's not a monthly girlie thing, it's called a period or menstrual cycle. I agree with a lot of the things the other mothers have to say. If it's something you don't feel comfortable talking with her about (using proper terminology) then maybe you could find someone she would feel comfortable with, i.e. pediatrician, counselor, gynecologist. Above all, good luck...I have 2 young girls myself and I am dreading some of those conversations.

Cassandra - posted on 03/20/2010

I may not be very popular for this but if you're going to talk to your daughter about these things you need to be mature about it. It's not a monthly girlie thing, it's called a period or menstrual cycle. I agree with a lot of the things the other mothers have to say. If it's something you don't feel comfortable talking with her about (using proper terminology) then maybe you could find someone she would feel comfortable with, i.e. pediatrician, counselor, gynecologist. Above all, good luck...I have 2 young girls myself and I am dreading some of those conversations.

Daisy - posted on 03/20/2010

I would not worry about it untl she is telling you she wants to date. Typically around the age of 15-16 is more ideal. Wait for her to tell you and talk to her how important it is for her to finish school and going to college is. You dont need to take her to gyn to put her on the pill. Peds will do it too.

Laura - posted on 03/18/2010

I had to go on the pill at age 16 to stop me from hemoragghing again from extremely irregular periods (I was eventually diagnosed at age 30 with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I would never recommend the pill for a child who is not even into boys and you haven't even talked with her about sex and how it should be reserved for marriage and how she will probably regret it later if she doesn't, even if she is on the pill and doesn't get pregnant. I eventually used the pill as an excuse at age 19 to have sex with someone I cared about and became very promiscous after that for about a year because I figured I was ruined anyway. It hasn't destroyed my marriage, which is still great after 19 years, but I do still regret those dumb decisions I justified to myself because I was on the pill. Don't let that happen to your daughter if there is anyway you can explain to her the value of waiting until marriage. I certainly plan to talk to my daughter about it - she's only 6 now, but I will when she's ready.

Karen - posted on 03/18/2010

THANKS EVERYONE FOR INPUT

Lataja - posted on 03/18/2010

I agree with Kimberley

Kimberley - posted on 03/18/2010

I have a thirteen yr old daughter also... we have open communication and she knows that she can come to me for such things. I would let her know that she can trust you to understand her feelings and tell her that you are open to putting her on the pill although that does not mean that you give her permission to have sexual relations,rather it just keeps her safe from pregnancy if she is to do so. This is what i have explained to my daughter and it seems to have opened up the lines of communicationand keeps her comfortable with talking to me about things instead of other people!
I am quite confident when this time arises that she will come to me!

Amber - posted on 03/18/2010

I might not get a supportive answer from others on this.. but... why???

She's 13, not into boys yet, and birth control is not natural. Talk to her about relationships, sex, peer pressure and the sanctity of her body and you might find she has no desire to want sex until she's finally married or at least engaged.

It's scarey to think you might not know what she's up to, and you don't have control over her actions ,but if you give her birth control, she's going to think " im on birth control, im protected" and end up having sex for sure, and also end up with some nasty std or worse infertile from years of usage

Sure, the pill helps with periods and managing acne.. but so does evening primrose oil and omega 369 caplets. Sadly, there is no real excuse for using birth control.

Rebecca - posted on 03/18/2010

i agree with brooke.

Brooke - posted on 03/17/2010

For a start, talk to your daughter about what she thinks. If you just drag her along she may see this as an indication that you don't 'trust her'. Explain to her that birth control can be for other things too, such as regulating periods, so that even if she is embarrassed to tell you she wants it, she may jump on that excuse. I believe that it would be better for her to at least know that it is an option, and make sure she knows that you will not be horrified if she wants it. It might be a good idea to make an appointment with the doctor either way, and you can all 3 talk together about such things as birth control, pap smears and breast examinations. The doctor can help you both decide if it is time or not.