birth control at age 13!! - Page 5

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by maxmama

I don't agree. For a lot of younger women, anovulatory cycles with unopposed estrogen lead to heavy periods and cramping. That will go away as the HPO axis matures and cycles become ovulatory. The pill keeps the endometrium from hypertrophy: thus, no heavy bleeding. It's treating the symptoms during a normal physiologic adjustment that doesn't require treating. It's normal to have irregular and/or heavy periods during early adolescence. Why make the kid feel like there's something wrong with her? Treat the symptoms.

This is me, or was me at the age of 13 I was on the pill, before I was on the pill I was in hospital 3 times to get blood transfusions, my periods sometimes lasted for months and were always 10-12 days at the least, excruciating period cramps were 100 times worse than labor pain - it was the worst time of my life, taking the oestrogen leveled my body out for the short amount of time I needed it, as soon as things started evening out I stopped the pill and have never taken it since, I considered it a medicine that I need for that time in my life that was so unbearable.

[Romana]

Originally Posted by BinahYeteirah

I find it fascinating that the tone of many of the posts in this thread is very similar to some reactions I have heard to pregnant women with hyperemesis. They are extreme versions of "typical women's complaints" (e.g. cramps and "morning sickness"). Other women, having experienced a mild-moderate version of these symptoms downplay the seriousness of the extreme version. Many doctors will even roll their eyes and imply that the women should just tough it out or that it is all in their head, etc. Others are very passionate about insisting on only natural treatments. I would also love to always have only natural treatments, but at some point there is a crisis situation that is just too difficult to live though when mainstream medication can help. Of course, the more alternatives that can be developed the better. More people should be educated about the risks of medications as well.

ITA!!!

Julia
dd 11 mos

[Ninjinmama]

I got my period at 12 and had problems from the get-go. I experienced irregular periods, mood swings, vomiting, painful cramps that left me doubled over in pain and ended up in the ER often. It was a very frightening/confusing experience especially at that age. My mom put me on bc at 13 because I became increasing afraid of having my period because of the pain and embarrassment. How do you explain why you were out of school for a week to your 12 yr old friends?
BC was the only thing that worked. I grew up around my parent's Natural Foods Co-op and was already on an extremely healthy diet. Plus, I was an athlete all through school.
After the birth of my first son, my periods got better and I was able to go off bc. However, after I had my second son and being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis my periods have again gotten worse and I am back on the pill.
I never once correlated bc with having sex as a young girl. To me it was a medicine I took to help me be normal and not be in pain.