[Theresa]

Girl I hear you there! I had my oldest son when I was just 16! I will do whatever I can to make sure my DD doesn't fall in my footsteps and she lives her youth to the fullest. I don't know much about the shot either. I have several girls in the office who do it on a regular basis and seem to swear by it. Thats all I know though. I'd have to do more research myself. How about take her to the gyno and you guys have a talk with the DR. about her options?

Thanks geedee!!! It is a plan!!!

[KMonte85]

I've been on the shot (Depo Provera) since I was 16 and have had NO problems whatsoever with it, its been several years now. One shot, every three months, no periods, a small bit of weight gain at first, but I'm in control of that now. However, it does not mesh well with some women's physiology and can cause moodswings, weight gain, headaches, irregular spotting/periods, osteoperosis. One thing to keep in mind is that the shot has been proven to reduce bone density, so if you, your daughter, and her Dr. decide that the shot is the right way to go, make sure she gets on some sort of calcium suppliment, even if it is only a multivitamin. But again, the Dr. should already know that and will give advice in that respect as well....

[LanaBear]

Yeah - I'm that woman who's body didn't agree with the shot.

I wouldn't recommend it, personally, I've always thought it was a product of the devil to make women go completely crazy. lol UGH - I could go on and on.

But, some women have luck with it, others don't. Just like all BC.

Talk about all options with her and her Dr.

From the daughter stand point, I know how you feel, my mom had me when she was 17 and me doing the same was one of her biggest fears. Just remember, no matter how much you talk to her, she'll make her own decisions and unfortunately they may not be what you thought they would be. You didn't fail her, she just didn't listen. You can only do so much.

[Theresa]

Yeah - I'm that woman who's body didn't agree with the shot.

I wouldn't recommend it, personally, I've always thought it was a product of the devil to make women go completely crazy. lol UGH - I could go on and on.

But, some women have luck with it, others don't. Just like all BC.

Talk about all options with her and her Dr.

From the daughter stand point, I know how you feel, my mom had me when she was 17 and me doing the same was one of her biggest fears. Just remember, no matter how much you talk to her, she'll make her own decisions and unfortunately they may not be what you thought they would be. You didn't fail her, she just didn't listen. You can only do so much.

She is like the "devil" when she gets her period so I can't imagine what the shot would do.

I am hoping to find her something that does not require her taking it everyday.

[Little]

I would do a lot of research before putting your daughter on unnecessary hormones.
Birth control is my savior - I couldn't function in society without it. I would have to call out of work one week out of every five. And I wouldn't be a pleasant lady that fourth week. I'm not anti-hormonal BC.
But I do know that it has downsides. It's used as a catch-all to solve just about any problem in gynecology. It does cause problems. You should look up both sides of the issue, I recommend looking up a Catholic family planning group and asking them their opinions on BC ... obviously they are against it, BUT because of them being against it they will give you information that others wouldn't. Take it, and what the doctors say, with a grain of salt. BC is a prescription and shouldn't be given without medical consultation. Your doctor should help you choose which one.
Are you close enough with your daughter that she would tell you she had sex? Within a certain timeline? I haven't looked into the Plan B pill, but screwing with her hormones for one month seems like it would be better than consistently doing it.
Just look into it and talk it out with your doctors. What you put into your daughter's body is very important, as I'm sure you already know

[Mes T]

I've recently become an advocate for non-hormonal birth control options. Yes many women are fine with hormones, but some are not, and if a woman does happen to be one of the ones who suffers from unpleasant side effects then... that's just not worth it, IMO. There have also not been enough studies to show long-term effects of hormonal birth controls. And to put all that stuff into a young healthy girl...

When she goes in to see a doc, I would suggest she ask about copper IUDs. I have one now - no artificial hormones, no pills/shots to remember... it's great!

Not saying that my method is best for everyone or in all situations, but I hope she can at least ask about it.

[Theresa]

I've recently become an advocate for non-hormonal birth control options. Yes many women are fine with hormones, but some are not, and if a woman does happen to be one of the ones who suffers from unpleasant side effects then... that's just not worth it, IMO. There have also not been enough studies to show long-term effects of hormonal birth controls. And to put all that stuff into a young healthy girl...

When she goes in to see a doc, I would suggest she ask about copper IUDs. I have one now - no artificial hormones, no pills/shots to remember... it's great!

Not saying that my method is best for everyone or in all situations, but I hope she can at least ask about it.

I have a copper IUD and love it. No problems what so ever. I guess I never gave that a thought for my daughter.

Thanks!!!!!

[gerekayla]

My sister took me to planned parenthood when i was 18 for the same reason lol she also stressed to me that i was/am a very irresponsible/forgetful person... but anywho, she put me on the depo shot so she wouldnt be worried about me forgetting it. I am 21 now, and i took myself off the depo cuz i gained 15 lbs during it. Its a very nice bc, with only a few side effects. The only really bad one was the weight gain. Otherwise, you just lose your period. I would recommend the depo to start with and she can always take herself off of it later when shes older and more responsible. one thing to remember tho is that its not recommended to take the depo for more than two years cuz it decreases bone density. Make sure she stays active and gets a good amount of calcium too.

[ashisbaby17]

I haven't heard a lot of good things about the shots. Mainly complaints of spotting, pain at the injection site, and weight gain. Not very pleasant things. I have a few friends who have tried the Nuva ring and seem to like it. It doesn't have a lot of side effects and it last for a few weeks. An IUD might be an option as well. I think it would be best if she hears the possible side effects and makes her own judgement. She might not feel comfortable with certain options. Let's face it some forms of birth control are pretty invasive. You might also want to get some over the counter options. I have used the spermicidal inserts and if anything they actually enhance the experience. Obviously condomns would be the best because they also protect against STD's but it never hurts to use multiple methods. If she has a close friend it might help to get with her friends mother and talk to them both at the same time. That way she wouldn't feel singled out, the other parent can help cover any ground you might have forgotten, and afterwards she would have someone to talk to and maybe come up with some questions. Doing it one-on-one is always awkward.

[kira]

Have we brought up nuva rings? That's only a weekly thing. If you get her on hormonal birth control though what about stds? If she's willing to do things in the heat of the moment she's even more likely to do things without std protective if she knows she can't get pregnant. No hormonal form of birth control or IUD will stop stds. I also would not suggest an IUD for a younger person unless they research and make the decision themselve. I went through with mine and if I were a teenager dealing with it I don't think I would have been able to make as sound of decisions as I did. Personally I think I'd hand her a pack of condoms, reinforce safe sex and how horrible STDs can be, tell her to always carry one with her in case a moment happens, and be done with it. Same thing I'd do for a son. Make sure they are knowledgeable and give them a reliable physical form of birth control. I believe anyone can go get condoms free from planned parenthood as well so she has an easily renewable source. At least you use to be able to here and every time you went for any reason they'd send you home with a bag full.