Is it normal to be 14 and on birth control?

[lovebird]

I've been on the pill since I was 13. I was prescribed birth control by the doctor because the first time I got my period was heavier than normal. It's also genetic to have extremely heavy periods in my family, so I don't want you guys to tell me that it's normal for my period to be heavy because it's irregular. I also was almost anemic from loosing too much blood each cycle.The second time was worse. By my third cycle, I was wearing super plus/ultra tampons with a pad because everything came out in a flood. My face was also breaking out really badly & my mom said that the pill would be the best thing to go on.

Does the pill mess up your development, considering the fact that I've only had my period for a few months? Will I be able to conceive when I'm older? Is this safe for my age? If it's not, what are other things I can do to prevent my face from breaking out? (That's my biggest problem- acne scarring).

[CRAZY]

If you're doctor put you on you should be fine you should be able to have kids later plenty of women and teens are on it and when they want kids they just stop taking it if you want to get better with the acne you can be prescribed acne cream you'll be fine

[night]

Your doctor prescribed it. You'll be fine. As fits your ache, lower the sodium intake, don't scrub your face extras extremity hard. Keep your face clean. As your hormones start to chill your body will stop producing an excess of fluids that keep your skin hydrated. It's a normal part of puberty. Or being a young teen.

Peace out,
Night

[Jay-Jay]

No, it's not normal or particularly healthy.

Menorrhagia isn't genetic, it's likely because of your age and would have been easily managed with dietary changes and menstrual cups - even if it was excessively heavy there are far safer and more effective treatment options such as Tranexamic Acid which is better at reducing flow and wouldn't suppress your entire menstrual cycles or risk as many side-effects as a result. Acne is a normal part of puberty, it would be best to regulate hormones, use oil cleansing method, and go to a dermatologist to deal with acne.

Hormonal birth control should really only be considered as birth control or to manage serious health conditions, I consider it unethical for any doctor to use it for other purposes without making it clear to women what it does and the effect of covering-up a menstrual health problem rather than treating it. I consider it doubly unethical to prescribe it to a 13 year old who likely doesn't understand the full implications or risks, especially as you hadn't had your periods long enough to determine if this was an actual problem or just due to menarche. I'd argue you were unable to consent to going on the pill, the fact you're here asking these questions shows you were not allowed to make a full informed choice.

Hormonal birth control suppresses your entire menstrual cycle, a major function of your body which effects you physically, mentally, neurologically, and emotionally - whether you're aware of it or not your menstrual cycles have many benefits and control over 150 functions within your body, so suppressing that means you lose benefits and have a major effect on your health, including multiple severe health risks.

We genuinely have no idea of the long-term effects of putting teens on hormonal birth control, but needless to say there are serious concerns in stopping menstrual cycles at a time when cycles should be allowed to regulate and during development. Hormonal birth control has multiple health risks for adult women, for teens going through sexual and physical development the risks may be far greater. We know that hormonal birth control prevents our bodies from absorbing nutrients as well, it lowers the immune system, it effects bone development, and it effects muscle development - all this could cause long-term problems.

In terms of having kids in the future - there's nothing to say that you won't be able to, but the pill may make it harder. This is because your problems left untreated may return once you come off the pill, because you've not had a chance to learn about your fertility you will struggle to tell when you are fertile, also it depletes folic acid which means if you were to get pregnant coming off the pill the risks of the baby experiencing brain development problems and miscarriage are higher.

The issue is complex, I don't say this to be patronising but because it is - there is a battle going on between pharmaceutical companies and those who work in women's health about this issue, and there is a long history of social issues with the pill being [mis]used like this and health risks involved. In short though it is best not to be on hormonal birth control and to deal with the underlying problem, suppressing such a major aspect of your body isn't ideal and certainly not during puberty especially.

A few pages that may explain some of the issues in more detail;
Looking for hormone balance? The Pill is not the answer - http://www.larabriden.com/looking-for-ho...the-answer
The Pill is Bad Medicine. 7 ways that Hormonal Contraception Harms Women - http://www.larabriden.com/the-pill-is-ba...arms-women
I, Being Born Woman And Suppressed - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/i...suppressed
Sweetening The Pill (check out book, blog, and facebook) - http://sweeteningthepill.com

[becca]

It's not normal, but it is definitely okay. The same problem runs in my family. My aunt had this problem since she was 12. She went on birth control immediately. My sister was diagnosed with anemia, and originally started taking iron supplement pills. It got too out of hand, and she had to go on birth control as well. I have been on birth control for a year now (I had extremely heavy flow and cramping). While I can't say a confusing pill schedule is convenient, it is the better alternative that bleeding like Niagra Falls. As a side note, try to minimize the use of ultra tampons. They can "loosen" you vagina, which not only leads to blood coming out easier, but less pleasure for a male partner during sex (not to be vulgar, just something to be aware of for the future). Going on the pill as a young teenager can lead to weight loss, hormone issues, and moodiness. But, it mostly depends on the pill you take. It won't always get rid of the acne. Majority of the time, being on the pill goes just fine. Just be very aware of medicines you take in addition to the pill, as some side effects or issues may occur. Whatever you do, do not use the pill you take as your only form of birth control or protection. Because you will probably be on a pill more specified for slowing down periods, they shouldn't be viewed as a 100% "no pregnancy" sort of deal. Remember, on the pill, you will still get your period, just very rarely. Regarding your acne, I recommend topical clindomycin. Your doctor can prescribe it to you, and it works like a charm. It's safe too. If that doesn't work for you, try Acutane. This is a lot harder to be prescribed for, and I only suggest it if your acne gets to the stage where it starts to scar you. Acutane is a very toxic medicine with a lot of side effects. Chapped lips, dry skin, bone issues, back problems, and most importantly-- birth defects. You absolutely cannot get pregnant while taking Acutane, because extreme complications will occur. Some say that even years after stopping the medicine and getting pregnant, slight defects occur. Do a lot of research about it and be very sure that's the choice you want to make. The good news is, after 2 months, your face will be cleared up. I don't speak from personal experience about the Acutane, but I've had family members use it. I hope this answered a lot of your questions, I went through a lot of these problems as a teenager.