DD 16 contraception question

[strengthinnumber]

DD is 16. She's had a boyfriend for the past year. Very nice lad- polite, respectful, kind. They've been spending a lot of time together over summer and I know his parents both work out of the house so I've been keeping a bit of an eye on things. DD and I have a very close relationship and talk a lot so she's been frank with me that they haven't had sex yet but it's on the cards. I said she was still very young, that 16 was a legal minimum age not a target etc but I also remember being that age and in love so it probably fell on deaf ears.

I reminded her about contraception and she said they'd probably use condoms when the time came. Her boyfriend is a lovely lad but so hapless and accident prone. He's broken three bones in the year they've been going out in daft circumstances. Lost 2 full rugby kits. Had to replace his bank card three times. Broken 2 phones. His mum makes him keep his house key on a stretchy key ring which he has to pin inside his pockets when he goes out. I'm not confident leaving contraception in his hands and DD agreed it wasn't ideal.

So.... I suppose DD needs to think about it as well. However there are problems. She has factor V Leiden so Is not allowed any hormonal medication. This rules out the standard pill and most hormonal contraception. She also has ADHD and the most erratic schedule - some mornings up at 5,30am as she plays a sport at country level and needs to train, getting up at 1pm on weekends. Basically anything that needs to be remembered and taken regularly and at the same time each day is a big no.

I have the copper coil. No hormones, no worries, and I have very light periods so the slight additional heaviness isn't a problem. DD is the same- light 3 day periods. The coil would probably be the best option but I just can't imagine getting one fitted as a teenager. I had mine fitted after 2 kids and it was very painful. Before I suggest it to her does anyone know if getting one would even be possible for a teen and whether we could get proper pain relief or anaesthesia ? Or any other non hormonal suggestions for an ADHD teen with a clumsy boyfriend?

I’d prompt her to make an appointment at your nearest sexual health clinic and let her discuss her options with a professional.

She really needs to speak to a doctor about this one, given her medical requirements.

I have suggested the local family planning clinic. However I've had some shocking experiences there where I wasn't listened to and was suggested something which I felt was simpler for them as opposed to being the right thing for me.
I want DD to go armed with as much info as possible so she can advocate for herself and not get pushed into something unsuitable. Hence the question - would a coil be something a teen could think about under the circumstances?

She'd still need condoms to avoid an STD risk so maybe condoms are the best option.

@strengthinnumber

I have suggested the local family planning clinic. However I've had some shocking experiences there where I wasn't listened to and was suggested something which I felt was simpler for them as opposed to being the right thing for me. I want DD to go armed with as much info as possible so she can advocate for herself and not get pushed into something unsuitable. Hence the question - would a coil be something a teen could think about under the circumstances?

Like your daughter, I cannot take or tolerate hormonal contraception, and have had a copper coil for some years now, with no issues.

It would seem like the best idea, and although I'm (much!) older, I've never had children and had a CC fitted in my mid-30s with a cervical local anaesthetic (which is standard practice in Scotland, although not sure where you are).

It wasn't the most fun I've ever had, but it wasn't dreadful, and getting 10 years out of it has been a massive bonus. I believe it's also possible to have it fitted under light sedation or even GA.

It is entirely possible for nulliparous women to have the coil fitted without it being a terrible ordeal and your daughter should have this information to hand, as some GPs will still recoil (if you'll pardon the pun) at this sugesstion.

'Suggestion', FFS. Oh, for an edit button.

Condoms not enough on their own.

Thank you so much @LadyJaye
That's really helpful and just what I'm hoping for. I wasn't offered anything when I had mine fitted (told me to take 2 paracetamol before hand which was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.) Good to know there are painkilling options she could ask for that could be available. There's nothing really when you google teens/ coil/ pain relief for coil fittings.
If she knows it's an option she can start asking for it. She's really limited in her options so she will probably have to argue a bit which is tough when you're 16.

@Bin85

Condoms not enough on their own.

Exactly. They're round our house now making biscuits and he dropped the mix on the floor and she forgot to set the timer.

DD is very aware of how her ADHD impacts her and we've given her lots of therapy to talk about coping techniques and methods BUT she will still sometimes forget things or get hyper focused on something and not do all the other things she should be doing. Her BF is like a massive golden retriever- super gentle, cheerful and cuddly but leaves a trail of destruction and chaos behind him.

DD is well aware that any contraception choices they make need to take all this into account and be largely foolproof.

My DS is/has adhd but has always been very capable with contraception. He manages to hyper focus on that

Yeah. At 15 I told my mum I hadn't slept with my boyfriend too. Swore blind I would talk to her first.

Pretty sure they'll have done it already after a year.

Me and my daughter have factor V

She started with the mini pill and then had the implant. The implant has the same hormones as the mini pill so Drs happy to use it despite the factor V. Might be worth considering.

Quick google :Acceptable forms of contraception for these patients include a copper intrauterine device (IUD), a progestin-only pill, a progestin-only levonorgestrel-releasing IUD, progestin-only implants containing levonorgestrel/etonogestrel, and progestin-only injections using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate/norethisterone .

So she could have the Mirena Coil or Depo injection, I would absolutely recommend a sexual health clinic rather than GP.

@strengthinnumber

Thank you so much *@LadyJaye* That's really helpful and just what I'm hoping for. I wasn't offered anything when I had mine fitted (told me to take 2 paracetamol before hand which was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.) Good to know there are painkilling options she could ask for that could be available. There's nothing really when you google teens/ coil/ pain relief for coil fittings. If she knows it's an option she can start asking for it. She's really limited in her options so she will probably have to argue a bit which is tough when you're 16.

Not at all, glad to have helped!

I was so despairing at not being able to take hormonal BC and was thrilled when somebody first recommended the CC to me, so I hope I've been able to pass this on.