Considering taking the pill for other reasons than birth control?

I'm 16 years old and going to be a junior this year. I've never had sex and I really don't see that changing this year, so I wouldn't need the pill for birth control. My mom brought it up last year because I get pretty untreatable acne. She was getting tired of spending money on products that don't work or give me allergic reactions. We even tried prescription acne medication and it gave me a bad reaction as well. I never ended up following through with the pill because my mom said the sun would treat my acne during the summer and it did, but now that I'm going back to school, I know the acne is going to come back as always. I'm also interested in the fact that the pill would lighten up my period and help with cramps since sometimes that can be pretty unbearable. And another added bonus is that apparently it can help small girls get a bit of a figure. I've got small A cup breasts and I really wouldn't mind gaining a couple pounds if that meant I'd have a little bit of a shape. I'm one of those people that just doesn't gain weight no matter how much I eat. Then there's also the fact that it can protect you from certain kinds of cancers and diseases. And lastly, once I do end up wanting the pill for it's true reason, I'll already have started it. I won't have to go through that awkward conversation with my mom and I won't have to wait for my body to adjust to it. I know other people who started the pill around my age for similar reasons, usually related to their period. I don't know much about the risks, but do you think it would be reasonable for me to ask my mom to get on it?

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Hormonal birth control should only be used as birth control or to manage serious health conditions - any additional benefits are great but this is not why you take the pill to begin with. As the pill works to prevent ovulation it means you no longer menstruate, instead the bleeding you experience on the pill is withdrawal bleeding caused by the drop in synthetic hormones when going from active to inactive pills. If you suffer from menstrual problems such as heavy flow or menstrual cramps then the pill may help with these problems but won't treat them and isn't the most effective way to deal with these problems. You can prevent cramps with simply dietary changes or by regulating hormones, and heavy flow can be managed with menstrual cups and tranexamic acid. Acne if hormonal may be helped by suppressing your cycles, but like with problems such as cramps this problem would also be helped by regulating your hormones by taking herbal treatments such as chaste tree or evening primrose oil daily, also for acne try a good balanced diet watching for triggers, a good multi-vitamin, and rather than expensive products that cause irritation try using methods such as oil cleansing method which tend to be more effective and not harmful. The pill cannot improve your figure - it doesn't cause weight gain or breast size increase - these are myths, at most you may gain up to 5lb in water weight but that's all. The pill can sometimes cause the breasts to swell so they appear larger but this is no more than you would see at any other time of your cycle, it is temporary, and it may be a sign the brand isn't suited to you. Most women start using the pill in their teens or twenties when still developing, they falsely assume breast growth or 'filling-out' is to do with the pill rather than being a normal part of their development. As hormonal birth control works by suppressing your menstrual cycles it has a major effect on your body as a whole; physically, emotionally, and mentally - you thus lose benefits of your cycles such as different mental states or emotional strengths at different times of your cycles. By suppressing your cycles you can't learn from your body such as changes to discharge or cervical changes, so long-term this effects your ability to care for your sexual health. The pill does reduce the risk of developing cancers of the ovary, colon and womb, however as hormonal contraceptives are endocrine disrupting chemicals it also means it may increase risks of breast, cervical, and liver cancer, amongst other issues such as an effect on bone density. There are multiple side-effects to consider too; increased vaginal infections, eye problems, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, irregular bleeding, cramps, breast tenderness, depression, anxiety, etc.I would really recommend avoiding the pill unless you actually need to take it, the pill may help with acne and cramps but this is by suppressing your cycles as opposed to treatment. More information;Birth Control Bingo: The Combination Pill - http://www.scarleteen.com/birth_control_bingo_the_combination_pillCombined oral contraceptive pill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_oral_contraceptive_pillSweetening The Pill - http://sweeteningthepill.blogspot.co.ukIs birth control safe? Are certain brands best? - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/is_birth_control_safe_are_certain_brands_bestI, Being Born Woman and Suppressed - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/i_being_born_woman_and_suppressed

Other Answers:

• Wha??????? No don't ever.... It's bad... When you're ready to lose your cherry hit me up because you sound hot... and if you have braces please please please hit me up now... Oh my god so hotttt!!!In all honesty there are many good benefits to birth control. On the other hand there are some seriously terrible side effects. Largely but not exclusive to the losing of ones mind i.e. insanity and the loosening or slackening of wholesome virtues and good morals.You seem to be well educated on the benefits. It's up to you how you choose and what you feel is the best course of action. And if you live in minnesota and want a boyfriend please please please hit me up... Especially if you have glasses and braces and are in any way otaku and if you are little sadomasochistic... I like me a tough nerd... smoochie boochies baby...
• If your mum was the one that brought up the subject in the first place, it's not a bad idea at all. I am 18 and started the combined pill a few months ago for heavy periods, and although it's taken some trial and error to get there, I've found my perfect pill now. I certainly agree - your body will likely take a while to adjust to the hormonal changes, so doing it early (before your contraceptive needs) is a good move; irregular bleeding is a mood killer! Also, I moved from a B cup to a C cup since being on the pill, so it has its pros ;) what you will need to do is talk to your doctor (don't be afraid to ask your mum to go in alone) about the acne problems and he/she will prescribe the best type of pill for your situation. I really hope this helps because I've been there myself! Best of luck x