Contraception for Under 16s - Is Parental Permission Required?

[fionas]

15-year-old DSD is coming to live with us in a couple of weeks and will be finishing school here.

Last year her mum mentioned that she found birth control pills in DSD's room and we are trying to clarify with her and then with DSD whether or not she is sexually active and/or on the pill.

I'm not looking for a discussion on whether under-16s should be sexually active and whether talking to them about contraception could be deemed as approving of/condoning that behaviour.

What I want to know is this - will a doctor prescribe the pill to a girl aged under 16 or would she need parental permission?

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I would assume she would need parental permission - however it would be easy enough to get around if she didn't want her parents to know. I was put on the Pill at 15 to try and regulate my periods, and they never asked me to get permission, but maybe that was because it was medically needed, not just asked for?? Sorry, not much help I know!

[Enchanted]

When I was 15 I got the pill from my local GP. I went on my own and didn't tell Mum. The Dr did ask if I had discussed it with my Mum and of course I said "Yes"

When Mum found out she called the Dr and went mental and said that he "legally" wasn't allowed to prescribe me with it. His defence was that he had asked me "if" I had discussed it with Mum and he took my word for it. TBH I don't see why a Dr can't prescribe it to someone under 16 if they think that it will be beneficial to them iykwim?!?

I really haven't been any help

[kawazuki]

they can if there is medical need for it.
basically heavy irregular periods lots of cramping etc etc etc

any of this is reason enough.
if the GP has been her dr for years and knows her well then he prob would as he would see it as 1 a precaution. but 2 as a way of regulating her periods.
most drs use it now as a regulator of periods and control of PMS not purely as a contraceptive.

maybe that is why she is on it and maybe that woudl eb a better way of broaching the subject
i was 14 when i went on the pill and wasnt sexually active till much later

[Aimz]

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.

[rhyb]

They dont need consent as I got on it at 15 and my 14 year old sister is on it (for medical reasons). Just like they can get the morning after pill without consent.

[Amaunet]

I believe the age is 14 after which they (doctors/hospitals) don't need to tell parents anything about their children who seek medical advice. I know that students at my school see a doctor at a local drop in centre and are over 14 have been prescribed the pill as a contraceptive as well as being referred for terminations.

[visitor1]

I was on it from 15 and never had parental permission.....i think about 2 weeks after i started dad found it but never questioned me!

[Danni]

Yep I was 15 and the doc asked me if my mum knew and I said "yes of course"! lol

[Kailani]

I was prescribed it when I was about 14 or 15 for bad period pain and to regulate my periods. I didn't need parental consent. Not sure if that was based on the fact that it was a medical reason rather than for contraception, but nonetheless, no permission required

[Lulu]

Ok - should she be sexually active...

Is there an answer, I dunno. I had a thread once that evolved into this somehow (but very valuable all the same), and many who posted mentioned they were having HEAPS of sex at that age - as was I!!

It changed the way I looked at things - I mean I had the GREATEST sexual relationship at 16. It taught me all about sex, and the expression of love and set a benchmark for me (that unfortunately has never been exceeded since then, teens or not), and I would sort of want the same for my own DD.

So, I have made sure I talked to her about the reality (boys will say whatever to get into your pants), and that her body was so sacred, but I trust her to make the right decision for herself. Cos I sorted don't have much choice. If I make it seem too scary she will want to prove me wrong, and if I'm too blase I can't give her any standards - feel me?

BIG tangent that one ......

I don't think its about 'shoulds' or should nots' - it soooo individual.

[mrsmac]

Legally you can't get the pill without your parents permission if you are under 16, I asked my GP this. DD says you can't get the morning after pill either unless you are 16 cause she had a 14 yr old friend want her to get it for her cause she is older!

[Danni]

Thats interesting Mrs Mac. So that means that girls under the age of 16 who have unprotected sex have no choice?

[Aimz]

It's not a legal issue for GP's - it's an ethical one and will vary from doctor to doctor.

ETA: From the "Family Planning, Victoria" website...

Q. Can I get the pill if I am under 16?

A. Yes. It is legal to prescribe the pill to most young women, without their parents' consent. The doctor will ask you a series of questions to ensure that you understand the pill but FPV encourages, where possible, to discuss this with your parent/s or guardian.

And from the "Family Planning, WA" website...

Q. Am I old enough to…go on the Pill?

A. A doctor can prescribe the Pill to you at any age, as long as they believe you are mature enough to understand what you are doing, and that you will take it properly.

Q. Am I old enough to…buy condoms?

A. There is no age limit to buying condoms, and they are widely available from supermarkets, pharmacies and service stations, or at FPWA Sexual Health Services' clinics.

Hope that answers your questions Fi.

[Lulu]

Sorry Fi, I didn't read your post properly.
Now you got a big fat opinion you didn't ask for...my bad.....

[fionas]

That's OK Lulu.

The reason I didn't ask for opinions is that I kind of know what we want to say to her but I just wanted to make sure of some facts first.

Started writing what we would say to her but it all started getting too long!

But basically, I agree with you - it's a tough balancing act between not being blase and not being seen to facilitate her having sex while at the same time being realistic about her particular situation and the fact that we think that she's already sexually active (DP has a good enough relationship with her to be able to ask that question, not sure he'll get a totally honest answer but he's gutsy enough to ask at least).

[Snacks]

So that means that girls under the age of 16 who have unprotected sex have no choice?

They can use condoms. Probably safer, unless they are very careful about taking their pill at the same time each day (I know that was something I NEVER mastered for as long as I was on the pill).

[Schmickers]

Minimum age for a young person to consent to their own medical treatment is 14 years and nine months old, as long as the treating practicitoner (in this case the GP) is satisfied that they are able to make a responsible and informed decision at that age.

If there is doubt, then a practitioner will usually seek the permission of the parents up to the age of 16, at which point they are not required to have parental permission, and in fact are also not able to disclose any information to the parents without the consent of the child.