:( I was at odds with this discission. My daughter has sever periods that she has missed
School many times because of it,I spoke with my gyno and she recommend birth control
For this problem. She assured me that a lot of girls now even as early as 11yrs old go no it
Too. My concern was is it an opening for her to think she can be sexually active? I had a talk with my daughter and she assured me it was'nt for that but for her painful periods and that a few of her friends have the same problem, but at the same time I have the feeling its for both reasons, my gut feelings are always what I think.
Also my other concern are the side affects, and the long term use . She decided on the depo vera shot.

TRUST ME ON THIS ONE...

When I first started my period it made me feel AWFUL, I missed school at least once a month because of this. My doctor also suggested birth control to solve this problem.

My mother and I had a very open relationship when I was younger and gave me the whole "sex" lecture before giving me the B.C. Not just "don't have sex, sex makes babies" but she went in depth... about how that's what guys want, I'll end up getting hurt, ruining my future, STDs, EVERYTHING. I was a bit uncomfortable with the conversation but trust me, it stuck with me. I watched my friends make mistakes and learned from them.

Anyway, yes, the birth control worked wonders on my cramps and monthly sickness. I hardly ever had the slightest cramp. I do feel this is the best solution. Whether she is on birth control or not will not make a difference in whether she has sex or not... but what she knows will. If she is going to end up having sex she will do it no matter what and at least then there's not a huge possibility she will end up pregnant.

Best of luck to you and your daughter! :)

I was also on birth control for painful cramping. It works wonders. I wasn't sexualy active until I was nineteen. I started birth control when I was twelve.

Not all birth control works as a way to relieve cramps. I have the same bad cramps when I'm on my period, though usually they only last for a couple days... but they're so bad I even have trouble sleeping. I was on birth control for that same reason, however, I guess it works for everyone differently, because it didn't do ANYTHING for me. Plus, the depo shot has been proven to be quite dangerous and can cause early abortion. Also, it makes it harder for a woman to get pregnant in the future.

My partners 12 year old daughter was recently put on the pill for exactly the same reasons as your daughter. It has been a godsend for her. I don't think for educated kids who have open relationships with their parents, that it is an opening for being sexually active, it is just a good way of controlling one of natures nasty little surprises during puberty.

When my daughter was experiencing problems with her periods and was going to see the doctor I had a long talk to her. I told her that the doctor might recommend putting her on the pill, and that IF she was only complaining about her periods because she wanted to be on the pill that she should consider the side effects, our family history and alternative methods. I explained that many of the women in our family have suffered from similar problems and every one of us who went on the pill for these problems have had issues with abnormal pap tests, pre-cancerous and cancerous cells and heart issues. We also discussed how early sex can lead to cancer of the cervix, that birth control is NOT 100% effective, that annual internal exams/pap tests should be started once a girl is sexually active, etc. I also told her to remember that birth control doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases, either, and that if she eventually decided to have sex that she must still use a condom. I ended the conversation with saying, "So... if you are interested in birth control, you should discuss all of these things with the doctor before making a final decision. If you are interested in JUST dealing with the period problems, then discuss these things and ask if there is an alternative to birth control pills for your problem."

Well, my daughter was given alternative medicines for her period problems and they are working fine! She made the choice, and believe me... if she had of opted for birth control after all the information she was armed with and that the doctor and her discussed, then I would have been proud of her decision and felt confident that she was well informed and wouldn't make any poor decisions. That's all you can really do as a mother. Well, that and encourage your child to bring her friends (both male and female) home so you know them well, and don't give them a lot of opportunity to be alone together.

Hope this helps!

Didi