To think 13 is too young to go on the pill

[toni76]

A report says girls as young as 13 should get the pill without a prescription. I just think 13 is sooo young (have two little girls). AIBU to think there must be a better way to stop 13 year olds getting pregnant?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17847069

no amount of telling some teenagers "no , that's bad unless you're mature and in love" will make a difference, I agree

Isn't it time people stopped telling these young people things and started asking questions.

Why do you want to have sex?
Do you plan to do this often?
How do you think you'll feel about it when your older?
Who are you having sex with?
When and where are you going to make this happen?
Are you going to use a condom?
Could you/would you wait another year?

As a person who has worked with young people, I think it is really important to ask questions, and not just about health before issuing a minor with drugs.

thatisall - hear hear! Do you honestly think a chemist would do that?

Excellent post thatisall!

I don't agree that making the pill more freely available is sweeping issues of abuse in teenage relationships under the carpet.

Of course it is. But it's way too young to be pregnant so what are we going to do?

13 people............. these children are 13........... last year they were starting secondary school, getting excited if a boy asked them out in primary school and never actually going anywhere with them :)
They are going crazy about Justin Bieber and JLS and taking pics of themselves pouting in the mirror on their BBs that they got for Christmas after begging for a year....
They have to be reminded to take their PE kit and school bags and do their homework....
But its ok for them to go to the chemist and get the pill and have sex???????
What is wrong with this???? Everything and any parent theat things this is ok needs to be a better parent and stop making excuses, you made them the way they are and if you allow it it will happen...

I would like to know why it is aimed at girls. In most cases, it is the boys who do the pressurising and the ones who have the attitude of "Well, I don't want to use a condom, so won't". It needs to be hammered home into these lads, maybe extra education for them (and girls). Something shocking which will sink in.

The Pill may protect against pregnancy, but it does not protect against STD's or STI's. All those saying that they would prefer for a 13 year old to be on the pill rather than pregnant, well I would prefer for a 13 to not be pregnant, and for her to neither have STD's or STI's.

I had a lad trying to put pressure on me when I was 13. I wanted to, I was curious. But I didn't because he didn't have any condoms, and no matter how much he told me "You won't get pregnant", I knew that that was utter bull, and the fear of getting pregnant made me stand by my answer which was no effing way.

There just doesn't seem to be any fear any more as these children know that it will all be ok. It is seen more acceptable these days and know they will have loads of support and help.

Yon, in that the government are missing the point and focusing on stuffing our young girls full of synthetic hormones rather than helping them by giving them a better sex education and actually LISTENING to them. But then this is the Coalition government and they don't actually do any listening do they?

I know there are people who have got pregnant when using condoms. But on the whole, they are effective. The same can be said of the pill.

but the difference is the pill is 0% effective againt stis

I was 15 when I went on the pill as that's when I started having sex but I had a long term boyfriend from 13 who was slightly older and experimenting from that age. If I wasn't so scared of the pain of having intercourse for the first time I probably would have had sex much earlier than 15.

We see 13 year olds as children but I had started my period by 14 and was very capable of getting pregnant not to mention the fact that I was in love and thought I knew it all/felt much older than I was and ready to experience these things.

I would prefer my daughters to be on the pill at 13 than pregnant at 13. Although I will teach them about sex, STI's and saying no, when they feel ready they will undoubtedly do it. I know I wouldn't have gone to my family GP to get the pill so the pharmacy sounds like a good alternative that I would have used if it was available then.

sickandtired Thank you for a reality check and a very accurate description of my DD.
thatisall that's a great list of questions- there's a check list in 7 habits of effective teenagers I'll try and link to.

out of curiosity (feel free to ignore) why wouldn't you have used condoms?

I see therhubarb.

They aren't pumping anyone full of hormones though, they are just talking about making it a more easily accessible choice.

sickandtired I think that's quite an unfair view. I know that anecdotes aren't evidence of everyone being the same, but I have known a 14 year old to be having sex, despite being from a very respectable family who certainly didn't bring her up that way. She and her boyfriend thought themselves in love, and were together nearly 2 years.

Who's the question aimed at stealth?

I had the most horrific ovulation pain every month which, once I went on the pill at 16 disappeared. If only my parents had allowed me to go on it earlier. Or I was able to access it through other means.

Sorry, to revolution

But madame I don't think many would say you shoildnt go on it for health reasons

And the whole "I know people who have gotten pregnant after using a condom" thing, yes, so do I. I also know of ladies who have fallen pregnant on the pill. I also know of ladies who have gotten pregnant with a coil fitted.

I think you shall find that no contraception is 100%. Apart from abstinence which is obviously not being used by quite a few Teens.

But, the only contraception the provides protection from pregnancy AND STD's/STI's, is the condom.

sickandtired - My parents have only ever had sex with each other and got together at 14. They dont believe in being with anyone else ever, especially my dad. I went on to have sex at 14.

Even more protection provided with the pill too! If the condom fails for any reason, there's fall back protection against pregnancy at least.

youwhalefish, sorry but my view is my view and it doesnt matter how respectable a family is.. its about how much freedom you let a child have. My DD is a child and will remain one as long as she wants... no peer pressure to have sex, no make up or heels just a happy well rounded little girl who will grow up and experience all these feelings but i hope not for a while yet.

molly im glad things worked out for your parents and you but my personal view is its too young, and im sure you wouldnt encourage this just because of you and your parents, although i take your views onboard

I understand that sickandtired but I was never allowed to wear heels, go to underage discos, had to be in 2 hours before all my friends (In at 8.30 they were allowed 10.30 even at 14/15, no heels, never allowed to wear bikinis, strappy tops, not allowed a house key until I was 16, never allowed in house alone until 16 etc. I still had sex and I think that there is no corellation between the 2.

I'm a pharmacist, but as I am due to start work in 30 minutes I don't want to get into the debate.

However I will point you in the direction of a press release on the National Pharmaceutical Association website..

√www.npa.co.uk/Resources/Press-Releases/Practice-matters/Pharmacy-Voice-comments-on-news-report-about-sexual-health-serviecs-delivered-from-pharmacies-in-London-/

I have also been told the Woman's Hour on radio 4 was fairly balanced this morning - I have not had time to listen to it though.

Well I hope she's the kind of teenager you expect her to be sick.

www.npa.co.uk/Resources/Press-Releases/Practice-matters/Pharmacy-Voice-comments-on-news-report-about-sexual-health-serviecs-delivered-from-pharmacies-in-London-/

Tries again!