First off, I don't think the doctor will put her on birth control just yet because 17 years old is still considered young and the body is still adjusting to the hormonal changes. I asked my doctor and that's what she told me and that was when I was 18. It may take awhile, but normally the body falls into the normal cycle of 28 days. If not, that's when the doctor prescribes birth control.

However, if the doctor DOES prescribe birth control to regulate her period, I'd make sure that the mother fully understands that it's for that reason alone and make sure she understands how your sister is as a person. I'm sure her/your mother will understand. Just don't overreact and get emotional if your mom says no. Just try to present your case in a level-headed manner and make sure she understands that the birth control isn't for sex, but to regulate her period.

Sorry that it's so long, but I hope it helps! And good luck!

She can't go to a free clinic or something. I remember my friend went on birth control before she turned 18 and her mother never found out.

If your mother went to the doctor with her while your sister was there asking for help regulating her period, I would hope your mother would accept that. I went on the pill at 16 mainly to regulate my period - I would go up to 4 months without one at all!

Your sister doesn't need to ask your mom for permission to go on the pill. Your sister needs to tell your mom that she's not getting regular periods and wants to see a doctor.

If the doctor prescribes the pill then it won't really be an issue.

I'm w/ pop regarding this, your sister needs to talk to her mom that her period is irregular and then ask her to go to a doc where she and mom can talk about it.

There's a possibility that the doctor will prescribe the pills to help regulate her period.

Or if she's gone to a doc by herself before and the doc suggests to her that she may have to get a birth control prescription, then she should mention that to your mom and if she doesn't believe it, get mom to the doc so everyone can talk about it.

I'm a mom and if I have a daughter of mine worried about her irregular period, and the doc suggests birth control pills, OF COURSE I will support that. And if I had a daughter, I'd definitely put her on birth control pills too if she wants to do it.

*Unconditional love is a beautiful thing, just be sure to give it AFTER your conditions have been met.*

She needs to go to the doctor with her mother and let the doctor explain the benefits to being put on birth control.

I'm pretty sure I had friends in high school who would go to the free clinics to get the pill. It's like $5 a month and you don't need your parents permission.

I disagree with what faylinn said. My doctor put me on birth control at 17 because I'd miss periods for several months also. That was never even an issue. As long she's otherwise healthy, I believe the doctor would prescribe them. She really needs to speak to her physician. Regarding parents, I just told my parents the truth and they understood. Health comes first, even if it does have negative connotations.

Maybe you can sit down with both of them and lend your support to your sister. Have her tell your mom about the difficulties she's been having and how you think the pill can help, and then address the issue of sex, since obviously it would cross a parent's mind in this situation. Let her know that you're sister has a strong sense of morality and that your mom did a good job raising her to respect her body and emotions, and you believe her when she says she isn't looking for an excuse to start sleeping with her boyfriend. I think any parent would have their suspicions if their daughter wanted to go on the pill for menstrual irregularities, but try and use your sister's choice to wait until marriage as a way to ease any fears she might have.

She should talk to her doctor regardless of whether or not she decides to go on the pill, she might have an actual disorder or something.

BTW, I salute your sister for choosing to wait.

I think most moms nowadays KNOW that there are other reasons why girls want to go on the Pill. I would advise your sister to sit down with her and explain why she would like to start taking it. If she wants, she could also do some research and get some info. about the Pill and why it's beneficial and show this to your mom when she sits down with her.

My mom was actually the one who suggested that I go on it when I was 17...I suffered from terrible cramps, to the point where I would miss a couple of days of school every month when I had my period.

Have Mom go with to the doctor so the explanation can come from someone she would believe.

I went on the pill when I turned 16 because things were so bad. I had a boyfriend at the time, and he had no part in my decision what so ever(I'm now 21, and I can proudly say that nothing happened after I went on the pill).

Also, I had many friends that went to free clinics. It is inexpensive, and yes, the parents do not have to know.

I don't think your sister should try to self-diagnose herself. There's a lot of other health reasons that could be causing her missed periods - some perfectly normal, and some indicative of larger problems. She should go to the doctor and let him/her decide what is the best course of action based on her medical history (for example, if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, the doctor may opt to stay away from birth control).

She SHOULD NOT go to a free clinic to get birth control in order to self-medicate this problem. If she wanted BC pills to prevent pregnancy and your parents wouldn't allow it, I get that. But she has a medical issue that should be checked out by a doctor. Like, I and others said - it could be nothing, especially if she plays a lot of sports and has low body fat, it's normal for teens to have missed periods. But on the other hand, it could be a symptom of another problem.

Please please encourage her to go to the doctor. If the doctor suggests birth control pills then, I see no reason your mother should object.

I dont think birth control is safe... ive read some things and there are some long term effects on your body that may never go away. I am on it now and i am going to get off it soon.
But she should go to the doctor and find out what is best for her situation. It might not be birth control. she should talk to a doctor and then talk to her mom about it... or even bring the mom along.

If this is something her doctor is on board with than I think the two of you should talk to your mother. Tell her that you know your sister isn't like that and just wants regulated periods and that a lot of people do that. You'll have better luck the two of you.

I think it's important for your mother to go with your sister to the OB/GYN. She might find out that it's normal to miss your period a few months in a row, and be told just to wait, in which case the birth control issue would be moot. But she should definitely talk to an OB/GYN about the problem, because it could be something more severe. My doctor always told me when I was younger that it was "perfectly normal" that I could go 5 months between periods and that I would "grow out of it" and it wasn't until I wound up in the hospital with an indescribably excruciatingly painful burst ovarian cyst that he scratched his head and said "Oops, I guess we should have put you on birth control." So maybe your sister has something similar -- an ultrasound can detect -- and in that case, birth control can help the problem and the doctor would be able to explain that to your mother. I cannot fathom that any mother would want to subject their daughter to the pain of a burst cyst, so hopefully she would understand the situation.

If she doesn't feel comfortable asking your mom, she can probably go to an OB/GYN by herself as long as she has money to pay for the copay and has an insurance card. Or she can go to a planned parenthood. I went on the pill at 15 because I had ovarian cysts. She is definitely NOT too young to be put on the pill (unlike what faylinn said) But I don't see any reason why your mom has to know regardless of whether or not it is about sex. I think your sister should do whatever makes her the most comfortable

It is really none of your mother's business if your sister wants to do this. She can just go to a clinic and get it! I went on the pill at 17, and my mom did not know. Unless your mother is the type to snoop through someone's personal belongings, there is no need for her to know, even if she was having sex. It's her body, and her business. She should discuss it with a doctor.

In some states, I know you don't need parental approval before being prescribed birth control. However, being a woman herself, I'd think your mom would understand how frustrating it would be to have such an eratic menstrual cycle at 17. Speaking from my own experience, birth control pills have greatly regulated my cycle, and I love it. No getting caught unprepared. She should just tell your mother exactly what the situation is, and maybe you should be there for moral support. I know when I finally got the nerve to ask my mom about it (because she told me to let her know when I was ready, because she'd rather have a teenage daughter on birth control than pregnant), I was surrounded by my close friends. However, your sisters situation is much more simple than mine was, because she wants it for innocent purposes.

Also, I disagree with the poster who stated that the doctor will likely not prescribe the pill to a 17 year old. That doctor was probably anti-birth control. I know girls who were prescribed the pill at 14, because of acne. Also, I know a lot of females are placed on the pill to prevent having to have hysterectomies at 19, due to ovarian cysts (that is a whole nother topic for another day).

Have you mom go with her to the doctor's and have the doctor tell her, with your sister present. That way, the doc can explain the other benefits of hormonal BC. Hopefully, if it comes from an expert, your mom will be more likely to pay attention. If you think she'll think it's for sex anyway, maybe have the doctor start the conversation with something like, "Amanda has explained to me her desire to wait until marriage to have sex, so I want you to know that that is not why we're here."

I was in this situation and my doctor spoke to my mother about the health benefits of putting me on the pill and I was only 14 at the time. Maybe she should discuss it with the doctor and have the doctor approach your mother about how the pill would be beneficial in alleviating her health issues. If that doesn't work the local health department can do a free exam and issue free birth control pills. Maybe you could go with her for support.

i think your sister needs to be open with your mom about her irregular menstrual cycle. don't mention birth control...don't mention sex. she needs to see a doctor. birth control may not be the magic answer to her troubles and a doctor can work with her to find the best solution. hopefully your mom's mind won't immediately jump to sex and will be their for your sister.

I actually had this problem just a few months ago. As I hit my late teens/early twenties, my PMS/period was getting out of control in every possible way. Even though I'm in college, I'm still on my parents' insurance, and my parents were convinced that my symptoms weren't as bad as I said (I live in the dorms during the school year) and that I just wanted to have sex with my boyfriend. Finally, I started having some serious symptoms (dizziness, nausea etc.) the night before/morning of/during my organic chemistry final, and decided to go home for spring break and insist on a doctor visit. What worked for me was telling my mom every problem that I was having in more detail that she'd ever wanted to know (lol) WITHOUT MENTIONING BIRTH CONTROL, and then going to a gynecologist she had gone to and so trusted. The gynecologist could give me an explanation of the hormonal cause of my symptoms which I could then repeat to my mom, and I ended up on the pill and much happier. If your mom has a gyno she likes, see if your sister can go to that one too; the fact that my mom trusted the person who gave me the prescription seems to have been a huge help.

that's when I went too the doctor for mine. I would suggest your sister just talk to your mom...maybe you could be there to break the ice. "Mom...Sister has something to talk to you about and she'd appreciate it if you just listen instead of jumping to conclusions"...

She probably won't even have to have an exam...unless she's sexually active. When I had mine I hadn't yet had sex so the doctor (because I was so scared and upset) decided to not do the exam and put me on pills. Within a month or so I had a normal period. I was on pills for 5 years and stopped taking them and have had a semi normal period since. I used to have periods for a month at a time...super heavy the whole time. Now I get it one a month for 7 days...nice ha.