What contraception for DD

[WillYouShutUp]

Dd is 17, has a boyfriend and is at the stage of needing contraception. She has no problems with her periods and is reluctant to go on the pill in case her periods get mucked up. I have not needed contraception for many years so i feel completely out of the loop in terms of what's out there. We have a doctor's appointment next week, but I'd like to go armed with as much info as possible so she doesn't just get fobbed off with the cheapest pill to trial and error her way through. Thanks for any help/info you can provide.

Get her to have a read of this before her appointment.

www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/

Honestly, for teenagers I'm a big advocate for an implant. It is literally foolproof. The GP will likely want to trial her on the mini pill first to check there aren't any awful side effects.

It depends how responsible and mindful she is. I was on the pill as a teenager and was an absolute nightmare with it - never remembered to take it, used to take two or three days worth of pills at a time - just an idiot, basically.

An implant as a pp has said might be a good option.

The injection seems good for a lot of people. Depo is the short name I think. I've been on it around 20 years with no side effects. I don't get periods. Had to come off it during covid lockdown and went on the pill briefly and periods came back as normal. Only issue is having to remember to book the nurse appointment every 3 months so depends how organised she is.

Thank you - this is really useful.

I'd reccomend the implant/injection both long acting and not reversible. Can't miss a pill or have an upset stomach and it be ineffective.

I've had three implants since dc were born. Only issue I have had is I got very regular spotting. I was put on the pill alongside it to stop it. I may consider the injection when it's due to be removed. But not sure on 3 month appointments.

At 17 your GP might not recommend the Depo injection. I went with my 22 year old DD a couple of weeks ago . The nurse explained it’s not suitable for teens as long term it affects bone density. It’s also not recommended for more than 3 years and at a push 5 years. But the nurse did say for women who couldn’t use other forms of contraception it was acceptable.

I was advised of slight increased risk of osteoarthritis on the injection but was told as long as I have a good diet with plenty of calcium etc then should be fine.

Her options are basically

At that age I used the pill, later I used depo.

I think at 17 now the implant seems to be a good option because she is unlikely to be wanting to conceive in the next couple of years.

Thank you everyone. She seems to be veering towards the implant at the moment, but we'll see what the GP advises. It's good to go armed with some info though.

Both my DDs have the implant, to be honest it takes weight off my mind knowing the chances of pregnancy are extremely slim, if they were on the pill I would worry more that they would forgot take it.