my friend is 14 years old and gets bad period pains, and she takes the pill! i know this isnt normal, but is it safe? im concerned she could be making herself ill! (please no silly answers, this is a serious question)
2007-08-16 04:47:41 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
i dont mean to be nasty, but she is overweight, and diebeties runs in her family
2007-08-16 04:56:26 · update #1
It's nice that you are worried about your friend - and you do have reason to be as well, the Pill isn't entirely without consequences....
The Pill is in general "safe", so the chances are slim that she is going to suffer illness from it - it can increase your chance of a stroke or blood clots, and some argue breast cancer, but these are all fairly minimal....(depends what you argue as minimal though!), so in theory, yes, she would be fine on it.
BUT, more importantly though is that she should find out now WHY she has bad period pains. In general, although it takes a while for periods to settle in as a teenager, the period pains should not be extreme. There could be a cause for them - such as fibroids, endometriosis, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Your friend should really have those 3 things at least checked out before just masking the problem with the Pill.
All that the Pill does is take over your whole hormone system so any problem she may have wouldn't get better, it would just be hiding away until she comes off the Pill and it would be better that she got treatment at a younger age rather than find out at 30 that she has something wrong.
Of course, the periods pains might just be fine, and normal, but she should really eliminate all possibilities before taking the Pill? Some women do just get bad periods for no good reason but it's quite rare really....I would get her to a good Dr just in case, chances are she's fine but a few tests now won't be too much bother at all to put her mind at rest.
PS - As you say she is overweight, and diabetes runs in her family, she should definitely have a test for PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome....one of the symptoms is inability to lose weight and rapid weight gain, and blood sugar issues. The website below has quite a helpful description of it. She would just need an ultrasound scan and possibly a blood test to diagnose it, so quick and easy and better she knows now.
2007-08-16 04:58:33 · answer #1 · answered by HC123 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, your friend taking the pill is normal. Her doctor prescribed the pill because she's been diagnosed with an extreme menstrual condition called dysmenorrhea (I have it also). It can cause mind-numbing cramps, dizziness/nausea, severe bleeding, and fainting, although the most common symptom is the intense pain alone. The pill is very effective at solving this problem, and your friend will be just fine, the side effects are rare and not at all serious. For more information, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysmenorrhea, however, keep in mind that this isn't a full description of many of the physical symptoms. What your friend needs now is support, it's a very difficult disease.
Hope this helps, good luck!
2007-08-16 04:58:01 · answer #2 · answered by katemarie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She is not making herself ill and it isn't abnormal at all. A lot of people with heavy periods, and particularly when overweight are given the pill as a means of making them more regular and lighter. Not for a contraceptive use, but a medicinal one. It just so happens that the ingredients in the pill are the same ones used to regulate and alleviate periods and sometimes even the pain associated.
2007-08-16 10:15:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your friend needs to go see her OB/GYN! Sounds like her young body isn't getting along with the hormones in the pill and yes, she may be doing some serious damage to her body. One won't even ask why a 14 year old needs to be on the pill. That's more of a social question than a medical one.
2007-08-16 04:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by revolvur2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She should see a doctor if she has bad cramps while on the pill.
For those lecturing about a 14 year old on the pill, there are many many reasons to be on it other than contraception.
Regulating periods, easing cramps, acne are only a few of the other reasons.
So don't be so quick to judge!!!!
2007-08-16 05:52:35 · answer #5 · answered by Terri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's fine don't worry, i had to take them because i suffered from really really bad period pains and i was a very heavy bleeder. The pill helps to slow down the bleeding and control the pain.
2007-08-16 06:52:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
wel if she has got the pill then sh must have it from a doctor.
let the professionals deal with your freind if they think it is safe then it is.
to be honest if it is for painful periods so that is less worrying at her age than someone on the pill for contraception at 14!!!
but the pill is usually safe they wouldnt have given it to her if it wasnt.
Take care
xx
2007-08-16 04:54:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should be ok as long as she isnt overweight or has a family history of blood clots, just tell her not to take the pill for years without a break.
2007-08-16 04:53:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The pill is recomended for young girls if their periods are too heavy or painful, it is a form of controlling the problems.
2007-08-16 06:51:09 · answer #9 · answered by damari_8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started taking it when I was about 15/16 for my periods and i'm 19 and still take it. Its safe and there is nothing to worry about.x
2007-08-16 04:53:40 · answer #10 · answered by peroxide.pixie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋