<p>I dont think I agree that it is tamer than when we were in colleges. These kids think nothing of experimenting with same sex relationships, but do not see this a a gay thing, just exploring options. </p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6300 using CC App</p>
<p>My niece’s gynecologist recommended the quarterly injections (Depo Provera?) for her. Sounds very convenient, effective etc. I’m curious how popular this recommendation is nowadays.</p>
<p>I’m confused by the previous posts regarding Accutane, b.c. pills, and phlebitis. Furzze/Wirefox, can you clarify? I’m aware that a negative pregnancy test is required on a monthly basis for women who are of child-bearing age in order to renew Accutane 'scripts, but isn’t the b.c. pill still considered highly effective. What contraceptive would be recommended for those young women? Does phlebitis diagnosis mean b.c. pills shouldn’t be used at all, ever?</p>
<p><ahem> No daughters but I believe condoms are more traditional for occasional sex these days. I’m not sure I’d be pushing the pill (although I am a HUGE fan, personally), because there are side effects and it isn’t effective the first month. Of course, I’d support her if she wants to go on it, but that should be her (and her doctor’s) decision.</ahem></p>
<p>Accutane is off the market due to jury verdicts awarded patients who suffered severe side effects. I’m assuming your Daughter is no longer using the drug.</p>
<p>BC pills can help some patients with acne.</p>
<p>There is no need to get a prescription for birth control pills before going to college. Except at a few colleges with religious affiliations, she can get them when she needs them at the college clinic. And if she does attend a college with a religious affiliation, she can get them from a gynecologist in the community.</p>
<p>Quote: As far as condoms for bc: both my son and grandson were conceived with condoms. </p>
<p>Yep. I’m so tired of hearing about condoms for birth control. Huge failure rate.</p>
<p>No, accutane is most definitely still on the market, and widely used. Yes, there many side effects, not just for a fetus, but also severe psychiatric symptoms. They are using much lower doses these days, so hopefully its positive effects outweigh the negative. Any female on accutane will be required to be on birth control or be celibate, and to have regular pregnancy tests.</p>
<p>I agree wth the poster who recommended the series of shots to prevent HPV …there are two different shots available…gardisil being the most common in the US…(several strains of HPV cause genital warts, others cervical dysplasia and cancer) HPV is the most prevalent STD in society today…
all other ideas are also great…talk to your D and figure out what would be best for her …starting the pill now even if she doesn’t “need” it, having Plan B available in her dorm room (for her or a panicked friend) and finally having condoms available to her…kids are so silly…they are willing to have sex , but too embarassed to buy condoms!!! Buy them for her and send them along (again. doesn’t mean she will use them, but a friend/roommate many also benefit…I’m all for helping any child who needs/wants education or prevention for pregnancy and STDs…</p>
<p>Condoms are important for safer sex, but no form of bc is 100%, and the bc pill is the most effective, if taken properly. No reason for young women in their most fertile years not to double up. The Gardisil is a must, especially since HPV is not only transmitted …etc…</p>
<p>BC pills might have some negative side effects, but mostly the hormonal leveling off and the regularity of the cycle has been a huge blessing. PMS cut to zero with bc pills for my daughter. YMMV</p>
<p>Fam – You might talk to your D about Seasonique…a b.c. that will limit her periods to one every three months. As an athlete, she may find that intriguingly useful. Peace of mind for both of you.</p>
<p>@ Biel1958, many college women are using the implant or injection because they last for extended periods of time (no monthly cycle!) and there’s no risk of forgetting to take pills. I’m a pregnancy hotline volunteer and am shocked by the number of pregnancies that result “even though I was on the pill…well, I guess I missed a few days during exams, rush weekend, forgot to take them on that athletics trip, etc.” </p>
<p>@ all discussing the HPV vaccine, it is also now available for men.</p>
<p>Im going to college this fall, personally I don’t like taking BCP or shots or anything, I rely on condoms, I dont like taking chemicals or extra stuff you know? My parents are o.k with my decision, and I think your daughter should be the one making the decision on what to take or not.
My sister rathers taking BCP, it works for her, bbut not to me. Besides I rarely get sick or need medicine, Im a very healthy person so I dont want to mess up with my system. </p>
<p>You should also talk to her about some other things like HPV and stuff like that, easy to catch! dont even need to have sex to get it.
Plan B, and cycles.
:)</p>
<p>A couple of posters have mentioned gardasil. Please do your own research on this before just “asking your doctor”.</p>
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<p>Which 1970’s were you in?</p>
<p>Gardasil is a drug that was fast-tracked and pushed to the market even before the brief period of clinical trials was completed. You probably remember that the state of Texas was the first big customer for the drug; Rick Perry mandated it for all 6th grade girls, over strenuous objections from his base which had imposed abstinence-only sex education in the state. And it does seem a tad hypocrital, until you consider the fact that Perry and his family and staff had numerous financial ties to Merck. In other words, this drug is long on marketing, money, and influence, and a bit short on sound medical research.</p>
<p>JAMA’s take: [The</a> Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination, August 19, 2009, Haug 302 (7): 795 ? JAMA](<a href=“The Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination | Adolescent Medicine | JAMA | JAMA Network”>The Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination | Adolescent Medicine | JAMA | JAMA Network)</p>
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<p>Bottom line…don’t forget to schedule an appointment fo off to college students before they leave. A “good doc” will talk to them about these sorts of things. I’m entirely certain that girls can get a prescrption for BC pills as easily today if not easier than in the 70s.</p>
<p>I wrote:
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<p>response:
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<p>I was part of the glorious world or the 70’s where my girlfriends and I had easy access to the pill, and friends of both sexes were sleeping their way across the US, as well as Europe, with strangers of both sexes in various configurations. Threesomes were pretty common. There were brothel visits. </p>
<p>Where we never had heard of dental dams and female condoms, where couples never would have imagined getting tested before having sex. The 80’s and 90’s were something we could never have foreseen. Imho that changes a lot for our children and thus they live in a different world. My children and their friends seem to have many fewer partners than we did and they seem much more thoughtful about their choices. ymmv</p>
<p>I have read several pretty rough memoirs the last few months so this is really on my mind.</p>
<p>@ Biel1958, the downside of Depo is that it causes weight gain (up to 5-10#/year) but it is effective and convenient, as one only has to get the injection every 3 months. An IUD or NuvaRing may be a better choice among the more convenient methods.</p>
<p>Not an either for us. I’ve told the girls birth conrtol pills to prevent pregnacy, condoms to prevent disease. My feeling has always been to get that stuff long before it’s needed. Broaching the subject with d2 this summer, even though there are no boys on the horizon.</p>
<p>If you’re going to recommend a d go on the pill, I’d try to do it a few months before she leaves. There are a lot of formulations, and it’s not a one size fits all prescription. D1 started them at 15 for horrendous menstrual issues. The first formulation she tried was a disaster for her. The last thing you want your d working through as she settles in to colelge is new pills that aren’t working like they should. Best have a few cycles to adjust before heading off.</p>
<p>Really wonderful and valuable thread.</p>
<p>In addition to all of the good medical and BC and STD-prevention advice here, I’ll add this: talk about all of the feelings (emotional and physical) that swirl around love relationships and sexual attraction and activity; talk about the impact that alcohol and other drugs have on judgement, inhibition, feelings and behavior; talk about the kinds of things that happen (they do) on college campuses today and different ways to handle them; talk about the inevitable periods of loneliness and insecurity that your student will feel and ways to move through them other than partying, alcohol and hooking up. (IMHO, there is never enough talk about feelings and relationship in our conversations about sex.)</p>
<p>You might also want to read and discuss the book “Unhooked” with your daughter.</p>