Can a Teen Be Too Young to Start Birth Control? Here’s What the Science Says
Key takeaways:
Teens can start taking birth control when they begin getting their period.
Experts recommend long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), like IUDS and implants, for teens. But many teens still opt for birth control pills, which can be easier to access.
Teens may be able to get birth control without their parents’ consent, but rules vary from state to state.
Teens can begin taking birth control as soon as they start their period. That’s because they can get pregnant as soon as their period starts. So once teens begin menstruating, it’s never too early to start birth control.
It’s important to talk with your teenager about contraception. Your teen can access birth control more easily if they have your support. Studies show that teens are often worried about using birth control because of side effects. You can help dispel myths around birth control and reinforce that birth control is safe to use.
At what age can you start birth control?
Teens can begin taking birth control as soon as their period starts. In the U.S., children get their period around 12 years old, though some children start menstruating before they are 10 years old. Children can get pregnant when they start menstruating, regardless of their age.
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This doesn’t mean you need to start your child on birth control as soon as they get their period. But it does mean that you need to start talking with your child about pregnancy and sex. Keep an open dialogue with your teen, this will help you figure out the right age for your child to start birth control.
Keep in mind that there are different reasons a teen may need to take birth control. Preventing pregnancy is only one of those reasons. Some teens develop painful periods (dysmenorrhea) or heavy periods (menorrhagia). These medical conditions can keep your teen from participating in sports and school, and even lead to other medical conditions, like anemia. Birth control can relieve these medical conditions.
Teens can start birth control for these medical conditions at any age. Reach out to your teen’s pediatrician or an OB-GYN if your teen is having a hard time with their period. Treatment can help relieve your teen’s symptoms so they can get back to the activities they love.
Experts recommend long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) as first-line birth control for teens. Learn more about LARC options like IUDs and hormonal implants.
Are IUDs safe for teens? Absolutely. Here’s what to know before your teen gets their first IUD.
You don’t always need to see a doctor to get birth control. Here’s how you can access birth control without a prescription.
When is the best time to start birth control?
The best time to start birth control is before teens become sexually active. This will protect them from unintended pregnancy.
Experts agree that long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is the number one choice for teen contraception and pregnancy prevention. LARCs include copper IUDs, hormonal IUDs, and Nexplanon implants. These options stay in place for years and start working within a week of placement. Teens don’t need to remember to take them. Once they’re in place, a teen can completely forget about them.
Teens can also take birth control pills. Birth control pills are safe and effective. But teens have to remember to take them each day. That’s why LARCs are often a better option for teens.
Both LARCs and birth control pills can treat heavy and painful periods. Most teens see the full effects within one to two menstrual cycles. Again, LARCs may still be a better option as teens don’t have to remember to take them.
Is there risk in starting birth control at an early age?
Contraception is a type of medication. And all medications carry the potential for risks of side effects. So far, there’s no evidence that teens are more likely to develop these side effects if they start taking birth control at any early age.
It’s also a myth that taking birth control at a young age will affect your fertility (ability to have a baby) in the future. In one study, teens who took birth control were more likely to develop major depressive disorder in the future. But it’s not clear if this association was really from birth control or another reason. More research is needed to say whether birth control truly impacts the risk of developing mental health conditions.
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Experts are also quick to point out that when it comes to birth control use in teens, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Is there an age restriction to access birth control?
It depends. Most states allow teens to access birth control without parental consent. Other states impose restrictions on access to birth control based on whether a teen is younger than 18 years.
But it’s important to point out that these restrictions are based on whether a teen is a minor (younger than 18 years). The restrictions are legal, not medical.
Can birth control prescriptions be kept confidential for people under 18?
Laws vary by state, but all adolescents have some protection for confidentiality and healthcare services.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides protections to adolescents from parental or guardian access to protected health information if teens are:
Older than 18 years
Emancipated minors
Able to consent to treatment based on state or other applicable laws
Is it legal for a parent to put their teen on birth control?
Yes. But this is a situation typically reserved for adolescents who have cognitive disabilities and cannot give assent for their medical care. The decision to start birth control should involve a teen, their caregiver, and their primary care provider or OB-GYN. Teens should give their assent to any medical care, including starting birth control.
The bottom line
A teen can start using birth control as soon as they get their period. There’s no evidence that teens are more likely to develop side effects if they start birth control at a young age. There’s also no evidence that taking birth control for longer periods of time affects future fertility. Long-acting reversible contraceptives are the number one choice for teens.
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References
Anderl, C., et al. (2022). Association between adolescent oral contraceptive use and future major depressive disorder: A prospective cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines.
Center for Young Women’s Health. (2021). Can the birth control pill affect your fertility (ability to have children)?
Chandra-Mouli, V., et al. (2020). Improving access to and use of contraception by adolescents: What progress has been made, what lessons have been learnt, and what are the implications for action? Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Fassler, C.S., et al. (2019). Sex hormone phenotypes in young girls and the age at pubertal milestones. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Guttmacher Institute. (2023). Minors’ access to contraceptive services.
Hofmann, A. D. (1984). Contraception in adolescence: A review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
Ott, M. A., et al. (2014). Contraception for adolescents. Pediatrics.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. (n.d.). Long-acting reversible contraception.
Quint, E. H., et al. (2016). Menstrual management for adolescents with disabilities. Pediatrics.
Yu, E. J., et al. (2020). Association of early menarche with adolescent health in the setting of rapidly decreasing age at menarche. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.
