Over the counter contraceptive pill for girls of 13.

I presume the intention is to prevent unwanted teenage pregnancies (and, possibly, the subsequent abortions that must sometimes be). If that works, it seems like a good idea in principle. Would there be long term effects of girls that young being on the pill? And would those effects be worse than having a baby so young or having an abortioin so young?

Well condoms are available without prescription now.
In our school we have a school nurse and regular Brook clinics. This is a far better solution as the nurse is closely involved in sex education, health education and child protection. She can organise pregnancy tests and morning after contraception for those who need it. There is a free condom system for teenagers running locally - they have to get a card - and the PE staff are involved in giving them to boys. By having someone like this that young people can go to, there is a far better chance of meeting their sexual health needs than having them talk to an unfamiliar pharmacist.

I have concerns,
.Would health checks,BP etc be carried out.
.would identity be checked,and links to other pharmacies,to prevent extra supplies for friends etc in the playground.
.would a 13 year old have enough knowledge about family health history.
.My idea would be a FP nurse/advisor/trained teacher, have a WELL GIRL clinic in school,dedicated once a week after school where information/advice/ support could be given,and supplies carefully monitored.And advice about sexual health and the need for condoms could be spoken about
.I am a legal guardian for my 13 year old GD,and have lots of contact with her friends and I am aware that some of them are more sexually inquisitive than others.
I would not be happy if she could buy them over the counter,I hope other ideas are looked at, as we are not going to prevent youngsters having sex and experimenting with it

oh Jess you got there first while I was typing my two pennorth xx

Like Nellie I have concerns, particularly on the health aspect of a 13 year girl taking medication without her parents' knowledge.

The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in all Europe, and no doubt the highest teenage abortion rate, so anything that addresses that problem must be a good thing.

However, to contradict myself, I am uneasy about such young girls being made ready and available for sex, and possible abuse.

I hate the thought of youngsters going on the pill without proper supervision and health checks. Also hate the thought of them laying themselves open to STDs at such a young age. I think that the earlier you start and the younger your cervix is the more prone to cervical cancer you are also - making condoms a much safer option on both counts. All in all I don't think this is a good move (if it happens). There is much more at stake than unwanted pregnancies and unless the girls are very well organised and motivated to remember to take the pill every day they're not even protected in that way.

It's a difficult question. Do we want to encourage 13 year old girls to think they can have sex now without any worries. Or, do we want these girls to have babies and all the medical problems that arise from an early teenage pregnancy. Would those girsl resisting having sex at an early age be subjected to more pressure from boys to have sex, without any responsibilty on their part.[the boys part]. These kids have sex education and hopefully contraceptive advice. They all still have weird ideas about getting pregnant. ie you can't get pregnant the first time or you can't get pregnant if you do it standing up. Still in this day and age these two old wives tales exist.

It's the health issue that troubles me - safe sex, for example. And the possible consequences, in later life, of taking the pill worry me, but have done ever since the scare over breast cancer and HRT (too late for me!) I refer to the incidence of oestrogen positive cancers. There must be professional advice available.

It is so early; but I do accept that teenage pregnancy and / or abortion should be avoided.

And, as ever, the onus is on the females!!

I can just see groups of giggling schoolgirls queueing up at the Chemist counter...peer pressure and bravado would certainly boost the takeup rate, but as has been said, would they remember to take the pill every day? Or would they take if for a while and then if they haven't got a boyfriend anyway, forget about it?
And how would the pharmacist be able to check whether the girl is actually 13, never mind whether the pill is suitable for her or not?

As a retired pharmacist, I was curious to read about this scheme as I couldn't imagine the Pharmaceutical Society allowing its members to dole out oral contraception without proper medical checks!
The pilot studies were carried out in areas which have exceptionally high rates of teenage pregnancy, despite the availability of a full range of family planning services. The scheme mainly targeted girls who came to the nominated pharmacies to get the "morning after" pill i.e. they were already sexually active and not using contraception. They were offered an appointment to arrange regular contraception and saw either a specialist nurse or a pharmacist who had been specially trained to carry out the same checks a GP would do.
I think the impression given by the press, that 13-year-old girls will just be able to walk into Boots and buy the pill, is an oversimplification. I am sure that they will still get advice about STDs and other sexual health matters. At the moment, most of the pharmacies only offered the scheme to over 16's and the debate is whether to extend it to under 16's.

Well, that sheds a different light on it, nuttynorah, and it sounds like an extremely sensible and practical scheme. As usual, the press have gone for the 'shock, horror' aspect!

I do hope there would be some kind of checks done on these young girls, the pill can be quite unsuitable for some people. When I was working I personally knew two 18 year olds who died as a direct result of taking the pill.

At 17 I was terrified to tell my mum I was pregnant. I could not have gone on the pill as would have had to go to family doctor who would have told my mum who was a family friend. I wish there had been somewhere I could go for advise who was unconnected to parents/school and things may have been very different. My mum was of the opinion that if she didn't talk about it then it didn't happen and she was the only mother who sent a note to school forbidding me to take part in the sex education lesson. I am not going back to the dark ages here either... only the late 70's

Like Anagram I am concerned over groups of young girls full of bravado not understanding you have to take them each day around same time,sharing them and thinking they have had one today they are safe,going into pharmacies with fake ID or like in an off licence a this an older friend or sibling will go iin for you and get them.Children of this age are prohibited from smoking,and drinking because of the potentential dangers,but it suggested that potentially strong hormones are put in to the body.I truly believe that advisory centres in school alongside sex education is the way forward.
My daughter went on the pill at 15 to reduce her heavy periods,under my supervision,but 2 years is a huge step in maturity,I feel very uneasy.
will the pharmacies providing this service also benefit financially from doing so,I have worked in many pharmacies from Boots to many private,and in the private chemist where money is tight and they are struggling,will they be tempted to make their own rules,as in my experience has happened with POM medicines ...Nellie is worried

I'm well aware of the need to prevent unwanted pregnancies and attendant problems but when oh when is someone going to mention the word "illegal" ?
We all know youngsters will have sex but years ago (and not so many at that) and pre-pill, the fear of getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant was a deterrant from having sex, not to mention the attendant shame.
Surely those who provide the pill for under age girls are colluding in the commission of a crime and adding to the pressures put on girls to be available 24/7.
The sooner we see prosecutions, and real punishments for violating a child, even with that child's apparent consent, the sooner we may see a decrease in pregnancies and proof that "the law is not an ass".

Now there's an interesting and very valid point, baba. It will be fascinating to see how the powers that be deal with that!

I think I may write to "The Times"!

Seriously, it is child abuse. I do remember earlier in my career, a situation where the 14 year old girl had moved into the 13 year old boy's house, where he lived with his separated father...took a long time to sort out, with Social Services etc etc.

But my point is, that if BOTH are under age, where does the law stand? I suppose it comes down to neglect?

I believe a woman/girl is guilty of the crime if she has sex with a person younger even though it is consential sex,the same as if the boy where older,the father in that case was negletful especially if he knew what was going on.Actually just had a thought although not entirely relevant that would apply surely with same sex relationships .

Yes, you're right, nellie - there was a case recently involving a woman teacher and her underage female pupil.

It isn't treated as illegal unless someone makes a complaint and an assessment is made. Two teenagers experimenting will not be prosecuted, but one teenager forcing another, or ignoring inability to consent, is looking at being charged. Of course, a man having sex with a 13 year old can be charged with a sexual offence. When there is an age difference like 17 and 14, that is assesssed first - it might not lead to charges where there is no complaint and it has been 'consensual' in the context of the pair being in a boy/girlfriend situation.

So really, in effect, the 'age of consent' means nothing much any more, does it?

That is the worrying thing Anagram the boundaries are becoming blurred,and a one size dosent fit all any more,I suppose each case is treated individually.

i am concerned.

children who need contraception can get it through the school nurse - though in the holidays they might need somewhere else to go.

my worry is that by making the pill available to 13 years olds, we will encourage all children of that age to believe that it is 'normal' to be sexually active.

and older people might think it is ok to have sex with children, if children are 'expected' to have sex anyway.

but, pregnancy and abortion are not good at 13 either.

perhaps we should work on providing better role models for young people, and 'desexualising' society (trying not to put sex everywhere as if there was nothing else in life). and giving young people time to be children. they'll be adults for long enough.

baba! nice name. it's what my daughter called my breasts and breastfeeding. 'having a baba', from 'mr baba and mrs baba'. mrs baba was the left breast. daughter breastfed until four, so we had plenty of time to talk about it. i think i might have mentioned that before. i'm old and forgetful.

and i haven't mentioned 'honour'. they are dishonoured by early sexual activity. they should wait until they're married!

I can't believe I've just read that last post.