The pill?

droptheworld

Im 16 and i want to go on the pill not for sexual reasons because im not sexually active but because my periods are irregular and i have moderate acne. Ive a doctor appointment tomorrow and i want to know does my mother have to be there to give consent or can i go and get it on my own because id be quite embarrassed talking about it with my mum! Is there a certain age you have to be to get it on your own?

Morag

you dont' have to have your mother there and she doesn't have to give consent.

Neyite

I got it in 1990 on my own at the age of 16. No parents involved. I doubt that it would be prescribed for moderate acne alone, but your irregular periods would be a worthwhile reason for your doctor to agree.

Beware though, some pills could make your acne worse, or give you other side effects so you may have to try a few with your doctors judgement before you get one that suits you.

Hope your consult goes well!

MissFlitworth

Citizens info says you're good to go (but that the doctor can use their discretion in providing it depending on the circumstances)

"There is no set minimum age in Ireland at which contraceptive advice and prescriptions may be provided. The age of consent to sexual activity is 17 and it may be a criminal offence to have sex with a person under the age of 17. This means that providers of contraceptive services are entitled to refuse to provide those services to people under 17. In general the age of consent for health services purposes is 16. There is no doubt that services may not be refused to adults - that is, anyone aged 18 or over."

source

magentas

No you can go on your own and you don't need consent. Doctor/Patient confidentiality still applies here.

However, would you consider speaking to your Mum? It's a perfectly good reason to go on the pill and it really does regulate your period.
Completely up to you but just imagine if your mum found the pills, assumes you're sexually active, sees the doctors name on description and confronts the doctor, it could get messy.

It's totally your choice but it could be good to have someone to speak to and a bit of support, you're not doing anything wrong!

ElleEm

Speak with your mam about it!

She may be surprised and supportive of your maturity in this situation.

If she finds it in your room in a few months time, she'll probably go nuts and won't believe that you're not sexually active!

drkpower

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Citizens info says you're good to go (but that the doctor can use their discretion in providing it depending on the circumstances)

"There is no set minimum age in Ireland at which contraceptive advice and prescriptions may be provided. The age of consent to sexual activity is 17 and it may be a criminal offence to have sex with a person under the age of 17. This means that providers of contraceptive services are entitled to refuse to provide those services to people under 17. In general the age of consent for health services purposes is 16. There is no doubt that services may not be refused to adults - that is, anyone aged 18 or over."

source

A doctor cant credibly refuse to prescribe the pill to a 16 year old on the basis of the age of consent to sexual activity where the indication for prescribing the pill is hormonal in nature.

If asked OP, just make sure you say you have no intention of having sex, and you'll be grand;)!

OkayWhatever

You should talk to your mam about it! Don't be embarassed!


I'm 19 and I have the implanon, before it I was on the pill. Any problems I've had with it I can go straight to my mam. She was a lot more supportive than I thought she was ever going to be, and it's nice to know she's there if I need her. Knowing that makes things a lot easier. She might even give you a lift to the doctor and pay for it or whatever. I'm sure the financial help would help a lot if you're 16, doctor's appointments and what not.

From her point of view, I'm sure she'd like to know what's going on. If she finds the pill in your room a few months from now, she might feel like you felt like you couldn't talk to her about it. Might not feel too good.

Best of luck with the consultation anyway, hope it all goes well for you

Toothpaste89

Talk to your Mam about it. I was nervous too when I told my mother when I was 18 but she was DELIGHTED when I did. She said I was been very mature etc Good luck.

starlit

Hey OP, I say you are grand you can get the pill at 16 without your mams permission. Though the age of consent is 17.

To be honest since you aren't going to have sex for a while, I would suggest not telling your mam. Its a private thing when deciding to go on the pill to regulate your periods. You have a medical reason for going on it. Its your business really. Go to a doctor to get more info on it before consenting to go on the pill. Unless you want to let your mam know without feeling guilty that you are taking it then tell her but I think its your choice not hers to make for you.

I suppose if you are concerned that she might find it in the next few months best to tell her or just hide them really well like in a hand bag once she don't be poking her nose in it or searches your room or tidy it in a way. Like if your on a night out or gone away or in school take it with you she be less likely to find it.

I guess if its a medical reason there is no reason why you couldn't tell your mam like. She be understanding if its for that reason only and not that you are sexually active she might understand but if she is one of those mother's that don't then best not to tell her at all that you are on it but maybe suggest that you might go on it for the medical concern you have that way you might get some feedback from her what's the right thing to do but if she gives out about it and says no need for you to go on it then its up to you to decide whether to go on it or not without her knowing.

Don't tell her your on it when you are if you happen to suggest to her you might go on it for the medical reason. You see then if she be understanding or not about the idea of it before you are on it. Makes a decision easier on you.

6328

While over the age of 16 it's nothing to do with parents. It's between you and your doctor - and makes it confidential at all times.

But you should tell your mother. I know someone who didnt tell their mom and every 3 months they had to ask for the price of the pill but use excuses that they needed money for school until summer came, they just told they're mom.

Explain to your mom your not sexually active, she should trust you Goodluck!

saa

Go for it, you are under the age of consent but because you're over 16 there shouldn't be a problem getting it without consent. You're not doing anything illegal I knew a friend who got the pill at 14 doctors are very understanding,

I sense you might feel you can get the pill but you seem very worried that people might think you're having sex, over time it will get easier.

You don't have to talk to your mam at all, lots of good resources online from reputable sites. I moved out when I had just turned 17, i was visiting when I was 19 not so long ago and my mother went through my bag took my pills and called me a slut, not all mothers are understanding, really messed up my month by making me miss pills.


Anywho this will give you time to find a pill that suits you and if you decide to become sexually active you will have a back up to condoms.

Down sides i found to the pill, constant bleeding, heavier periods, (super light, once in a while periods on mini pill) weight gain(a lot of the time is just appetite), mood swings, fatigue so just keep track of what changes once you're on it!

Ave Sodalis

Sorry to hijack the thread but I just have a quick question and I didn't want to start a new thread when there's one here. How much is the Pill and can it be got on medical card?

Morag

Yes it can be got on a medical card and the cost of each type varies.

Ms Tootsie

OkayWhatever wrote: »

You should talk to your mam about it! Don't be embarassed!


I'm 19 and I have the implanon, before it I was on the pill. Any problems I've had with it I can go straight to my mam. She was a lot more supportive than I thought she was ever going to be, and it's nice to know she's there if I need her. Knowing that makes things a lot easier. She might even give you a lift to the doctor and pay for it or whatever. I'm sure the financial help would help a lot if you're 16, doctor's appointments and what not.

From her point of view, I'm sure she'd like to know what's going on. If she finds the pill in your room a few months from now, she might feel like you felt like you couldn't talk to her about it. Might not feel too good.

Best of luck with the consultation anyway, hope it all goes well for you

I agree! I went on the pill when I was 17, again not for sexual reasons but to help with my period. I initially went without my mum and my doctor prescribed it but then give me something even better. Advice. She told me to talk to my mum. It's hard sometimes to see her as anything other than your mum but don't forget she was a teenager and has been through it all before. So I did and honestly it was the best thing I ever did, she give me tips on how to remember to take it every day and we chatted about so much more. I have always been very lucky to have a close relationship with my mum but that brought us even closer.

The big thing is as well it will give you a chance to explain to your mum why you are taking it rather than have her stumble across it and assume you are taking it for other reasons.

Storminateacup

I've just started taking microlite, having been previously on yasmin.

Anyone else on this? It's supposed to make me less like a mental patient.. Good luck with that one microlite.

Sauve

Storminateacup wrote: »

I've just started taking microlite, having been previously on yasmin.

Anyone else on this? It's supposed to make me less like a mental patient.. Good luck with that one microlite.

Haha, I know that feeling well :rolleyes:
Different ones have different results for different people, it's a matter of finding one that suits.
Good luck, hope it helps