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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Female -- Periods > Birth control, cramps, and acne
Posted on: 12/16/2008
Question
When is a good age to start using birth control? I'm 14. I am not sexually active, but my cramps are unbearable sometimes. My periods last a long time, I "bleed" a lot when I have them. I have acne (it's especially bad right before my period), and my periods aren't very regular.
Answer
Your symptoms could be adequately relieved with birth control pills. Often times, the first 1-2 years of menstruation can be irregular and quite painful. This is due to your ovulatory cycle (your monthly menstrual cycle) not being quite matured yet. Birth control pills in these early years are quite helpful and do not have harmful effects on your health or future fertility. For further discussion to see if this is the right choice for you please make an appointment with your physician (along with your guardian). Your physician will be able to go over your medical history and symptoms to see if birth control pills is the right choice for you.