Birth control in 15yo for period pain

[Princess5]

Would you be comfortable in giving birth control for a 15-year-old to control  period. Pain.  We have tried naproxen 500mg, Tylenol , ibuprofen , Ginger etc over the counter meds, and none of the painkillers are cutting it. She doesn't get any relief from them, She says the painkillers don't make any dent in her pain.  The gynaecologist is pushing for birth control but I'm not comfortable yet.  Any other options we should ask the doc.

[Ethel Mertz]

I used birth control pills when I was her age for the same reason, albeit 50 years ago…

[regentrude]

Yes, wouldn't be an issue for me. 

[prairiewindmomma]

Yes, no question.

[J-rap]

I used birth control around that age for really irregular period issues.  It definitely helped and I didn't need to be on it forever.  I'd be even more willing to go on it for severe pain.  I was on it a long time ago and I'm sure it's even much safer now!

[Katy]

Yes

[Princess5]

When I was on birth control when I was in my early twenties I had side effects like it affected my libido really bad so I'm just worried about it but she's only 15 so I'm not sure.  Did you or your teens have any side effects from the birth control.

[prairiewindmomma]

I went onto it to control my migraines as a teen. No side effects—just huge relief from pain. I’d ask around what kind she’s recommend—triphasic or the like. 
 

I’d also ask around endometreosis (which bc can also help). 

[Danae]

 She’s more “uncomfortable” being in pain than you are about her being on BC.  

[fairfarmhand]

Yes! I’ve done it  for all three of my girls and my only regret is that i didn’t do it sooner. It’s been life changing for all of us.

[wathe]

100% yes.   Or a progesterone IUD (Mirena, Kylena) to get rid of periods altogether.

[fairfarmhand]

1 hour ago, Princess5 said:

Would you be comfortable in giving birth control for a 15-year-old to control  period. Pain.  We have tried naproxen 500mg, Tylenol , ibuprofen , Ginger etc over the counter meds, and none of the painkillers are cutting it. She doesn't get any relief from them, She says the painkillers don't make any dent in her pain.  The gynaecologist is pushing for birth control but I'm not comfortable yet.  Any other options we should ask the doc.

Why are you uncomfortable?

I get it. I was kind of weirded out by the concept myself. I had some strange thoughts like does she perceive this as permission to have sex? I thought through it and realized if fear of pregnancy is the ONLY reason she won't have sex, then I've dropped the ball completely. There are TONS of reasons for a teen to hold off on sexual activity, only one of which is pregnancy. (though it is a GOOD one) All three of my girls have been on hormonal birth control and none of them have been promiscuous.

I worried about the possible impact of hormones on my teens body. Read some stuff and realized that her being debilitated for 3-5 days a month for literally years was not a good trade off for some possible impact at some point in the far far future. 

One thing that was a concern is the impact of hormonal birth control on mood issues. My girls tend toward depression anyhow. Certain kinds can amplify that for sure. However, with one of my dd's we found a brand that actually improves her mood issues. She's more like her old self having found that type than she's been in a few years. I cried when I realized that. It's not cheap (though my other girls did fine on cheaper brands) but it's worth every penny. 

[Spryte]

Of course I’d be fine with that. I wish I had not waited till 17 to get some relief from endometriosis.

Don’t quote (deleted personal part)

Aviva Romm has a good book, but don’t count on anything working as well as hormones will (from experience).

Is it making you uncomfortable? Why? You don’t have to answer here but I hope you can think about it. It’s just medicine. If it makes you uncomfortable that it’s also birth control, maybe you can reframe it as period pain relief meds or hormone treatment for pain, and that might help.

Edited August 26 by Spryte

[Princess5]

4 hours ago, Spryte said:

Of course I’d be fine with that. I wish I had not waited till 17 to get some relief from endometriosis.

Don’t quote:

We are counting down the days till one of mine is old enough for that option. She sees a chronic pelvic pain specialist doc (a special Gyn) for period pain that means she’s out of commission 5 days a month. I can share the specific stuff we are doing that has brought some relief if you want, but once she’s old enough to start BC, that’s a better plan. Doc wants to wait till 14-15 yrs old.

Aviva Romm has a good book that we use as well, recommended by the above doc, but I don’t count on anything working as well as I know hormones will (from experience).

Is it making you uncomfortable? Why? You don’t have to answer here but I hope you can think about it. It’s just medicine. If it makes you uncomfortable that it’s also birth control, maybe you can reframe it as period pain relief meds or hormone treatment for pain, and that might help.

When I was on birth control when I was in my early twenties I had side effects like it affected my libido really bad so I'm just worried about it but she's only 15 so I'm not sure.  

Edited August 27 by Princess5

[Princess5]

7 hours ago, Spryte said:

 

 

Edited August 27 by Princess5

[Princess5]

5 hours ago, fairfarmhand said:

Why are you uncomfortable?

I get it. I was kind of weirded out by the concept myself. I had some strange thoughts like does she perceive this as permission to have sex? I thought through it and realized if fear of pregnancy is the ONLY reason she won't have sex, then I've dropped the ball completely. There are TONS of reasons for a teen to hold off on sexual activity, only one of which is pregnancy. (though it is a GOOD one) All three of my girls have been on hormonal birth control and none of them have been promiscuous.

I worried about the possible impact of hormones on my teens body. Read some stuff and realized that her being debilitated for 3-5 days a month for literally years was not a good trade off for some possible impact at some point in the far far future. 

One thing that was a concern is the impact of hormonal birth control on mood issues. My girls tend toward depression anyhow. Certain kinds can amplify that for sure. However, with one of my dd's we found a brand that actually improves her mood issues. She's more like her old self having found that type than she's been in a few years. I cried when I realized that. It's not cheap (though my other girls did fine on cheaper brands) but it's worth every penny. 

 What was the birth control which is expensive but works well for your daughter with her moods as well

Edited August 27 by Princess5

[fairfarmhand]

2 hours ago, Princess5 said:

My daughter is already Moody too. What was the birth control which is expensive but works well for your daughter with her moods as well

Natazia. It has multiple hormone levels in it. I wish we’d done it years ago. 

[Eilonwy]

Yes, I would do this if my daughter wanted to. This was a huge relief for me.  I had painful periods as a teen and they made me very nauseated and throw up as well.  Going on the pill helped a lot for both of those and caused no concerning side effects for me. 

[bolt.]

I consider "birth control" to be a side effect of a medicine to manage period pain. I would not deprive a child of medication that would manage her pain just because that same medication also happened to function (secondarily, in my mind) as a contraceptive.

Beyond birth control pills, an IUD (inserted under sedation) is a great long-term no-fuss solution to these issues in teens. Often an IUD will stop not only period pain, but will reduce the periods themselves, sometimes to the point of having no periods at all.

But all of that falls under my general opinion that *no one* should be suffering with unwanted difficult menstrual periods or period pain. We have the meds to manage these things. I don't know why anyone puts up with period pain and difficulty at any time other than the phases of their lives when they would actively like to conceive a child. I think teens and young women should be offered control for this bodily function as soon as their cycle stabilizes after puberty. It has nothing to do with sexual activity. It has to do with pain, quality of life, and gender equality.

[wathe]

6 minutes ago, bolt. said:

 

But all of that falls under my general opinion that *no one* should be suffering with unwanted difficult menstrual periods or period pain. We have the meds to manage these things. I don't know why anyone puts up with period pain and difficulty at any time other than the phases of their lives when they would actively like to conceive a child. I think teens and young women should be offered control for this bodily function as soon as their cycle stabilizes after puberty. It has nothing to do with sexual activity. It has to do with pain, quality of life, and gender equality.

Yes.  I also look at this issue through a gender equity and bodily autonomy lens.   Menstruation causes much unnecessary suffering and can cause inequity.

[TexasProud]

Guys you are missing her question. She is not worried about her being sexual active.  She is worried about side effects like on her libito and such.  Probably worried about when she does start dating seriously and doesn't want it to affect her sex life. Plus, some people do have serious mood issues from it. It isn't because she is worried about her having sex.  You guys are misreading her.  She has some valid concerns.

That said, I would let her try it and see.  She can always stop them.  Just keep a close eye on her. I, for one, had no issues at all with birth control and I went on them for the pain as well, though I was 19 or so. 

[bolt.]

1 minute ago, wathe said:

Yes.  I also look at this issue through a gender equity and bodily autonomy lens.   Menstruation causes much unnecessary suffering and can cause inequity.

It's amazing how many years I spent trying and trying to get my life on track, start new habits, get into fitness, grab on to a project, get ahead at work -- but I lost 5 days out of every 30 (1/6 of my time) to completely preventable pain just because I'm female. Back to square one, once a month, like clockwork. I wish someone had told me it was optional.

Neither I nor my daughter have any libido or mood impacts from our IUDs. (I did have libido impacts from oral birth control in my 20s c.1998 -- but I think formulations have been further developed since those days.)

[wathe]

9 minutes ago, bolt. said:

It's amazing how many years I spent trying and trying to get my life on track, start new habits, get into fitness, grab on to a project, get ahead at work -- but I lost 5 days out of every 30 (1/6 of my time) to completely preventable pain just because I'm female. Back to square one, once a month, like clockwork. I wish someone had told me it was optional.

Neither I nor my daughter have any libido or mood impacts from our IUDs. (I did have libido impacts from oral birth control in my 20s c.1998 -- but I think formulations have been further developed since those days.)

Re equity:   Even as simple as having to exclude oneself from activities because one requires access to a bathroom every couple of hours.  Which becomes a big deal when it means exclusion from things that are important (like jobs, sports, trips).

[Spryte]

17 hours ago, Princess5 said:

 

First, would you mind deleting the part of my quote about my DD? I want to delete that part for privacy.

I did not have any negative side effects from treating my endo pain. BC gave significant relief, though. We did need to change the type and dose periodically, and eventually it was continuous pills, so no periods at all. My endo/adeno was extreme, though, and I eventually moved on to other options.
 

We would (and will) be comfortable with a teen using BC for pain as soon as she’s 14/15 and gets the green light.

17 hours ago, Princess5 said:

Can you share what you are doing which is giving relief

Please don’t forget to delete the part about my DD in this quote, too. Thanks!

Yes, but please keep in mind it’s tailored to individuals after a large amount of testing. And I won’t sugarcoat it: it’s not enough. We will be adding BC pills. I would not make anyone suffer while figuring out if herbs and supplements are enough, these are getting us through, though.

Some of it is straight from the endometriosis section of the Aviva Romm book, some is specific to an individual.

I will send it to you via pm.
 

Edited August 27 by Spryte

[BusyMom5]

42 minutes ago, TexasProud said:

Guys you are missing her question. She is not worried about her being sexual active.  She is worried about side effects like on her libito and such.  Probably worried about when she does start dating seriously and doesn't want it to affect her sex life. Plus, some people do have serious mood issues from it. It isn't because she is worried about her having sex.  You guys are misreading her.  She has some valid concerns.

That said, I would let her try it and see.  She can always stop them.  Just keep a close eye on her. I, for one, had no issues at all with birth control and I went on them for the pain as well, though I was 19 or so. 

This!  I have very bad mood issues with BC and so has my one who tried it (for actual birth control).  If you suspect endometriosis I would do everything I could to preserve her fertility by using BC. 

[prairiewindmomma]

Re: future libido….

1. This should be your dd’s decision to make, as it is her body that is in pain. 

2. She can be aware of potential side effects and can always change her treatment plan if an unexpected or serious side effect comes up. She’s not locking into a “once and done” choice.

3. Untreated endo/adenomyosis is not without consequences either. It is more than period discomfort.

4. Hormone releasing iuds are another option. All in this category release progestin, which thins the uterine lining and shrinks endometrial adhesions. That said, it’s my understanding that women generally find more relief with bcp with fewer complications than with iud. But, if she’s not a consistent pill taker, iud is an option.

 

[Ottakee]

We have used Nexplanon here for severe cramps and heavy periods and it has worked very well.  It is inserted underside of the arm, about a matchstick size if that.  Lasts 3 years.

[bolt.]

15 minutes ago, Ottakee said:

We have used Nexplanon here for severe cramps and heavy periods and it has worked very well.  It is inserted underside of the arm, about a matchstick size if that.  Lasts 3 years.

I just looked into this. I didn't know about it because it was only approved in Canada in 2020 -- but it looks like an excellent option.

[Princess5]

4 hours ago, Princess5 said:

 

 

1 hour ago, Spryte said:

 

Edited August 27 by Princess5

[Terabith]

I have a lot of uneasiness about implants, but I have zero issues with BC pills.  Both of my kids started them around 15:  one because the pediatrician wouldn't prescribe antidepressants while their vitamin D was deficient (which took forever to bring up), and we thought we'd try BC to see it if helped that.  (It didn't but also didn't hurt.). And one who has PCOS and very irregular periods.  The first pill she tried gave her migraines, but the second one has been fantastic.  

I would not remotely hesitate to give a kid BC pills.  I had extremely incapacitating cramps as a teenager and was prescribed dilaudid, which did nothing for them, but when I went on them in my early 20's, I was like, "Man!  This is sooooo much better!"  

[MercyA]

I have endometriosis. The single thing that helped the most with the horrible, debilitating pain was cutting out dairy and meat from my diet. It was like night and day. 

The pill did not agree with me when I took it in my early 20's. I felt like I had morning sickness all the time. Later in life, I was not comfortable taking it due to its second mechanism of action, preventing implantation if breakthrough ovulation occurs.

However, if my teenage daughter needed it for pain relief, I wouldn't hesitate to give it to her. Keep in mind that if one medication has bothersome side effects, you can always try another.

Hope she finds some relief soon.

[MercyA]

.

Edited August 27 by MercyA

[Momof4sweetkids]

I didn't read all the previous comments but I got anxiety as a side effect from hormonal BC so no longer take it. I would be tracking mental health changes for a bit if I put my child on it.

[Lecka]

My best friend in high school took birth control for this reason, and it worked and she was glad she took it.

 

But, she would feel very awkward when asked in medical appointments if she was taking birth control.  She felt like people would think she was sexually active, which she was not, and which was against her religious beliefs.  That did actually bother her.  
 

She also felt uncomfortable at first to be taking birth control because it seemed like it was for people who were sexually active.  I know her mom talked to her about this and I’m pretty sure someone from her church (like — the pastor, along those lines) talked to her and said it was okay (aka reassured her) or else talked to her mother and her mother related it to her.  I think my friend got over that fairly quickly, I think she originally said “no” but her mom helped her with it.  She continued not to like being asked if she took birth control at doctors appointments and feeling like people assumed she was sexually active, but she did also know that “she” wasn’t sexually active and that she was taking birth control for another reason unrelated to being sexually active.

 

It was also awkward for her to be taking birth control before she had a boyfriend or anything like that, it was something she felt weird about.  However her mother made her feel okay about it and was very supportive, and her mother was really concerned about her level of cramping.  Her mom thought it was a good thing to do.  
 

I know she also had feelings like — did people think she was making things up to get birth control because she wanted to be sexually active.  Her mom did not think that, though, I don’t think anyone thought it.  She just felt embarrassed anyways.  
 

However it did work out, once she was taking it and it was going well, I think she only cared about having to say “yes” she was taking birth control at doctor appointments, and then I think they would ask her more questions about if she was sexually active, or she thought they would ask, or something.  Or assume she was sexually active.  She did not like it.  But it was also okay.  She didn’t like it but I don’t think it was a huge deal to her.  

[Lecka]

I took birth control pills for a year or two, and my complexion improved dramatically.  My complexion was not bad before, but my skin was so smooth.  I quit taking it from not keeping up my doctor appointments (iirc) and my skin was not as good (though still not bad).  It did definitely help my skin.  But I didn’t like taking a pill every day and I didn’t think I needed it at the time, so I did stop.  I think if there had been OTC I would have kept up with it.  
 

That’s the only side effect I can remember.

 

I think maybe some of this discussion could be including the doctor.  I think doctors can be good with things like this.  And then if there’s a problem it’s okay to change and try something different.  

[busymama7]

I would be more comfortable with a NaPro doctor who uses bioidentical hormones to help balance the issue.  I believe synthetic birth control is a band-aid and doesn't address the underlying issues that are present.   Our society is very estrogen dominant and doing natural things to resolve this should also be part of the picture. I don't think doing nothing is the answer but don't believe synthetic birth control is safe and healthy either.  Just my opinion backed by personal experience.  

[Soror]

1 hour ago, busymama7 said:

I would be more comfortable with a NaPro doctor who uses bioidentical hormones to help balance the issue.  I believe synthetic birth control is a band-aid and doesn't address the underlying issues that are present.   Our society is very estrogen dominant and doing natural things to resolve this should also be part of the picture. I don't think doing nothing is the answer but don't believe synthetic birth control is safe and healthy either.  Just my opinion backed by personal experience.  

I'm looking for one for my nearly 15 year old. She tried 2 different types of pills and both made her mood issues significantly worse.

The help from the Ped gyn at the very prestigious Children's Hosptial was, "we can just keep trying different ones to see what helps". 

They throw hormones without actually testing what is going on with the body. 

I put my older daughter on them for period and mood issues and they helped her so I went ahead and tried them for dd as the various things we tried did not help and I had trouble finding another doctor. 

BC pills have known side-effects a mile long. I do not feel laissez-faire about prescribing them for anyone, especially kids but think that they can be fine for some.

Personally, depo and birth control pills both caused mood and other issues for me and I was dismissed that basically I was just a woman and being moody was normal. We know depression (and other issues) can be a side effect. I don't know why we pretend it isn't.

[wathe]

6 hours ago, Lecka said:

 

I think maybe some of this discussion could be including the doctor.  

I would hope that consulting one's primary provider would be a matter of course!  Particularly regarding medical indications, contraindications, side effects, risks and benefits.

I hope that it's obvious to everyone that making health care decisions based solely on crowd-sourced anecdote and lay opinion is risky, to say the least.   There is, in general, a lot of very terrible informal and non-expert medical advice on the internet (and this forum, in general, is no exception).

That's not to say that there isn't value in forum discussions and sharing personal experience -- of course there is.  Particularly when exploring how particular medical options fit with values, goals and parenting philosophy.   And learning about options that one might not have previously been aware of or considered.