I was prescribed the pill at 15, with no parental consent. I went to the doctor presenting with severe acne on my back and she suggested the pill. When I was about 13 my friends and I "decorated" a park with condoms, which we were allowed to buy at the supermarket without parental consent. I'm not sure if there are rules for GP's - but in my experience I did not need permission to go on the pill.

I think it would be irresponsible NOT to discuss safe sex with teenagers. I wish my Mum had got to me earlier than she did - I had a close call during my "first time" when the guy in question said we didn't need to use condoms because I was on the pill. The sex talk from Mum came months later - at which point I took myself off for a test (negative for nasties *phew*). If I had been more aware I would have been a lot more careful than I was.

I started to wonder about sex at about 14 and by the time I was 15 (and my friends were starting to "do it") I was hell bent on losing my virginity. Whether you discuss it with them or not won't change the "when" but it might change their perspective on being safe and responsible.