IUD for a 16 year old?

[figroll]

My dd is 16 and took the pill for a little while, but got spots, was moody and put on some weight, so she stopped taking it. She is in a long term relationship with her bf and they seem very serious and sensible. She stays over at his and he stays over here sometimes, and obviously I don't want any accidents so I asked her to think about going back on the pill - to try a different sort etc. She isn't having any of it though and wants to try an IUD without hormones.

What do you wise mumsnetters think? I had a coil when I was about 19 or 20 and to be honest, I can't remember what it was like as I am so old now! I know it was a copper 7. She seems quite happy to go through the initial pain of having it inserted - I do remember that part of it. Would the FPC do it at such a young age?

OK - had one IUD pre baby in early 20s = 6 months of pain, endless periods, heavy bleeding, one immensely painful infection, and literally begged to have it out having become a shadow of my former self due to pain and blood loss.

Fast Forward 7 years and one baby later, I had one again. It hurt, but not as bad. Did take around a year for things to get back to normal tho, and still do have mid cycle bleeding from time to time and very heavy periods.

To be honest, I don't think it's a great option pre childbirth. Perhaps it's worth going to an FPC and discussing with a doctor who is aware of the latest options. There might be some methods which would be a better compromise.

I'm a practice nurse (family planning trained) and would be very reluctant to recommend an IUD to a 16 year old.

However as they can be used for emergency contraception and left in situ it's not unheard of for CASH to fit them in young women. However I think they'd rather discuss other methods before inserting an IUD.

Could your daughter visit a CASH clinic to discuss her options, either with you or her boyfriend (or both!)?

Thanks for your replies. My concern is that at the moment she is very reluctant to go back on the pill and I think that the prime consideration for her is that she put on weight last time. If I raise the subject, it is an instant no from her. She doesn't want hormones - full stop - so it has been quite difficult and I do worry about her getting pregnant.

I just wish that there was a reliable method of contraception that didn't involve hormones, as she is adamant that she won't take them.

Condoms?

Pretty reliable especially if the users are reliable!