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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Talking to Parents > Starting the pill at 13
Posted on: 06/18/2007
Question
I am 13 and want to start the pill. is it ok for me to? and i dont know how to tell my mom.
Answer
You will need to go to a doctor or a clinic to get on the pill. They will talk to you about the side effects. There are some possible risks for any women who takes the pill no matter what her age.
We don't use the pill a lot in women who are not finished with puberty so we don't completely know all the side effects for you. It is MUCH better to be on the pill then for you to get pregnant, so if you are sure you are ready for intercourse your doctor will probably give you the pill.
Most grown-up women would look back at themselves at 13 and feel like there was no reason to do these grown up things at a fairly young age. I know when you are 13 it feels like you are as old and mature as you will ever get, but that just is not the case. No matter how mature you are now you will be a much wiser and older person in five years. Sex is really complicated for both people involved. If you are already having sex then you are starting to figure that out--if you haven't you might want to wait.
You are right in wanting to tell your mom. The best idea is wait until you have a little time to talk to her and then sit her down in a quiet place and just let her know that you and your boyfriend are getting really serious in a physical sense. After that you can tell her how you want to take care of yourself.