Over the counter contraceptive pill for girls of 13.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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?