Page 2 | To ask for your opinions on contraception for 14yo dd

nearly40andfat · 2023-03-19T19:03:43+00:00

I'm hoping to get some opinions and advice. My dd (14 yo) has very heavy and unpredictable periods, she wants to go on some form of contraception to help. She's considering the Patch or the injection (she can't swallow tablets). I'm just wondering if you could tell me about your experiences of either method? Most online reviews are horror stories [confused] Thank you for any advice

BashfulClam · 19/03/2023 20:24

The pill was a godsend to me. I went on it at 15 and it changed my life. I had extremely painful periods, I would be sick with pain so painkillers were useless as I just brought them back up. It used to be heavy and lasted 11 days so I was anaemic. With the pill I could actually plan when to have my period if I was having exams, going on holiday etc. Mild cramping and very light bleeding for 4 days on the pill free week. When I got into a relationship I got the injection as it meant I wouldn’t ‘miss’ a pill as I had a really busy life. I had no period at all but gained three stones and have struggled since then with my weight whereas I was always very slim before it. The pill is tiny so I wouldn’t worry about swallowing it. If she wants to try it remember she can always stop it very easily if it’s not right for her.

JustFrustrated · 19/03/2023 20:29

Not the injection for her first type of hormonal treatment. If it doesn't agree with her she's stuck for 12 weeks.

I had the patch. And other than a reaction to the adhesive, it was perfectly fine

Mariposa26 · 19/03/2023 20:39

I went on the pill at 14 and feel like it ruined my life. It felt like a fog had been lifted when I eventually came off it in my late 20s - I honestly became a different person. I started taking it again when I met my partner in my early 30s and within a few months had turned into a super emotional and anxious mess again. This is of course a trade off against her painful periods which can also be debilitating. Just make sure to keep an eye on her and how she is feeling if she chooses a hormonal option.

YomAsalYomBasal · 19/03/2023 20:48

It's a difficult one, I see my teenage daughter struggling with hers but I'd use the pill as an absolute last resort. I started taking the pill as a teen and didn't realise how much it changed my personality and my decision making, until I came off it in my late 20s. Do have a read of How The Pill Changes Everything by Sarah E Hill.

PleaseJustText · 19/03/2023 20:48

I had injections and bled for 6 months. I was exhausted by the time jt wore off. The pill was much better because I could run the packs together and have 3 or 4 periods per year.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 19/03/2023 20:56

I bled constantly on the injection, but my friend has no periods on it. I use the patch now, and I love it. No raging hormones, and my periods are almost pain free.

LockEmUp · 20/03/2023 07:46

she also suffers quite badly with anxiety
have you charted when it's bad? It could also be hormone related (PMDD)

I went on the pill at 14 and feel like it ruined my life. It felt like a fog had been lifted when I eventually came off it in my late 20s - I honestly became a different person. @Mariposa26 I had exactly the opposite experience. I feel that period and side effects utterly ruined my life, and have never forgiven my parents for not allowing me go to the doctor in case he suggested the pill - that was only for slags. Once I'd left home and went on the pill in my early 20's life was so different.

AutisticLegoLover · 20/03/2023 07:57

As someone who used to work in contraceptive health there's no way I'd be giving a 14 year old hormonal treatment unless absolutely necessary. My own Dd has bled incessantly on the implant and is now on transexams acid. I've known someone get pregnant TWICE on the implant. If she can't swallow tablets how is she going to cope with an injection or implant? She won't cope with transexamic acid tablets either. Don't just accept that the heavy bleeding is bad luck see a different GP and get a referral to gynae. But she needs to learn to take tablets.

Monsterpage · 20/03/2023 08:00

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 19/03/2023 19:12

Injection was awful for me at that age. I piled on about 4 stone in 12 months.

this x. 1000

the injection ruined me and I did the same. - 4 sone in a year.

she’s too young for something irreversible like the injection

jigsaw234 · 20/03/2023 09:17

AutisticLegoLover · 20/03/2023 07:57

As someone who used to work in contraceptive health there's no way I'd be giving a 14 year old hormonal treatment unless absolutely necessary. My own Dd has bled incessantly on the implant and is now on transexams acid. I've known someone get pregnant TWICE on the implant. If she can't swallow tablets how is she going to cope with an injection or implant? She won't cope with transexamic acid tablets either. Don't just accept that the heavy bleeding is bad luck see a different GP and get a referral to gynae. But she needs to learn to take tablets.

why not? if you're old enough to have periods, you're old enough to be treated for them if they are problematic. I would certainly encourage her to learn to take tablets and would start with tranexamic acid and then the COC. If she really won't take tablets then she'd have to use the patch, but it does have a higher blood clot risk than the pill. Absolutely no point referring to gynae before doing all these things in primary care - what are you expecting gynae to do other than the same things, after a lengthy wait? I'm assuming you no longer work in this area......

Original poster

nearly40andfat · 20/03/2023 14:22

Thank you for all the advice. Thinking about it I will discuss the pill with her again and see if she's willing to try. If not I think the patch is probably the best idea, as so many of you have said she can stop that at any time if it doesn't agree with her, unlike longer release methods.
Thanks

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