Teenage sister - contraception ...

LegacyUser

Background:

I'm a twenty-five year old woman.

My sister is sixteen and a half years old.

We're very close - I don't think that there is much that she doesn't tell me.



She's had a couple of boyfriends - nothing too serious. She's half-seeing a young lad at the moment. She wants me to help her get sorted on the pill "just in case" anything happens.

She likes him a lot. I don't know just how much he likes her; neither does she; much agonising on her part ...

The thing is, I don't want to bring her to the doctor and pay for her pill "just in case", because I don't want her to be using that as a safety net ... what I mean is, I don't want to end up being the cause of her having sex earlier than she would have otherwise just because she can, you know?

On the other hand, she sure as hell is not in a position where it would be in any way OK for her to get pregnant.

But also, in my opinion, sixteen is very young to be getting the pill. Couldn't it mess up your body a little at that age?

Also bear in mind - she's a sensible girl. She doesn't drink. If she does anything, it'll be her own decision, so I don't think that she'll have random unplanned sex with him. But while I'm fairly confident of that ... with teenagers, you never really know, do you?

Any advice ...?

kerah86

If shes going to do it, shes going to do it whether you help her get the Pill or not...at least she's being sensible about it...be glad she talks to you about this stuff, I know when I was growing up I wudve loved to have a sister I felt comfortable enough talking about sex/the pill etc with..

PopUp

It can't mess her body up. If anything if she has painful periods it will relieve some of that, plus if her periods are irregular the pill will sort that out too.

If she's going to have sex she will regardless.

The only thing I would make sure to emphasise is that the pill isn't enough on its own and she should be using condoms as well. If you can bring yourself to, I'd consider getting her some.

By all means, tell her you think its best if she waits. She probably will. But if she decides not to, it'll be irrespective of whether you help her get contraception. It's better for her to be safe!

It's great she can trust you so much. I'm the same age as you and my youngest sister is near enough to yours in age - I honestly don't know if she'd come to me over something like this, which is a shame.

MizzLolly

I was fourteen or fifteen when I started taking the pill, it won't 'mess up' her body, otherwise the doctor would not give it to her.

Contessa Raven

The pill won't mess her up as much as a baby would!

Also the pill is not going to rush her into sex. I went on the pill when I started seeing my boyfriend "just in case". It was 15 months later when we had sex. The pill doesn't necessarily make you feel "safer" or "ready" to have sex.

The doctor will be able to tell you both about the side effects of any pill so even if you just go to talk about her options you may feel better.

Your sis is really lucky to have a sister as considerate and as easy to talk to as you. I think maybe you should talk to her about your concerns. You never know, she may have concerns of her own and be too embarrassed to ask.

Keep up the good work, OP!

P.S: Couldn't agree more with PopUp. Emphasise the fact that she should use condoms too. They will protect against STI's!

cafecolour

God no, she's almost seventeen - the average age girls lose there virginity. A number of girls start taking it as young as 14-15, sometimes even just to regulate periods more than as a contraceptive.

Take her to the GP. If the GP doesn't think it a good idea, he won't prescribe it. I don't know why he wouldn't though.

Finally, make sure she realizes she also always make sure the guy uses a condom as well, as the pill doesn't protect against STDs.

dubdcugirly

Ditto to all of the above. If she has approached you about it then she has obviously given it some thought and therefore wants to do it and is looking for your support. I think help her with it, talk to her re condoms and make sure she doesnt rush into anything, although since she has been so mature this far I'd be surprised if she did!

Fair play to you, my sis was a great help to me too even though she lives in London so couldnt help on the practical side of it! I went on the pill when I was 15 and didnt have sex until just before my 17th birthday. My reasoning behind it was just in case aswell btw!

LegacyUser

Hey,

I'm 23 and my lil sis is 11. She's grown up quite quickly. I suspect she'll be getting her monthly friends quite soon and I want to have a yap with her about it before she does so she's not horrified. I don't know how to approach it of if she's a bit young.

Any advice how to approach this would be much appreciated. xxx

Siogfinsceal

firstly its great you are so close and that she trusts you. so trust her back. if she feels she is ready for sex and has made her mind up to do it then isnt it better she gets advice and gets sorted with contraception instead of going and doing it anyway without it? I mean she is sixteen and a half its not like she is way below the age of consent.

going on the pill, once you find the right one for you wont cause any harm. Id speak to her about using condoms too thoguh

auerillo

How about buying some condoms and leaving them in the bathroom, where she will see them and from which she will be able to take some if necessary.

You could always discuss it with her and chat it trhough - why is it we seem, as a nation, to be reluctant to discuss sex?