Beyond the Prescription: What Young Girls Aren't Told About Birth Control Pills

I was recently chatting with a friend whose 16-year-old daughter was prescribed birth control pills for hirsutism, likely due to suspected PCOS. Birth control pills are frequently prescribed not just for contraception but also for managing conditions like irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal acne—even to teenage girls.

While the convenience and effectiveness of the pill are undeniable, the long-term health effects, especially on young bodies, require more attention and conversation as it might come with unexpected trade-offs.

A comprehensive look at hormonal interventions shows that while pills regulate periods and other imbalances, there is growing concern that long-term pill use, especially by girls who begin taking these pills, might be linked with health conditions later in life. Some evidence suggests that continued pill use can suppress early signs of conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS, causing delayed diagnoses and management as well as impacting fertility in ways that are not yet fully understood​ , including the early onset of menopause – though more studies are required in this area.

Studies have shown that hormonal pills may interfere with natural hormonal rhythms, including cortisol regulation. I recently read How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control by research psychologist and author Dr Sarah E. Hill, who speaks about how hormonal birth control impacts the minds, bodies and lives of women. The book especially highlights how the hormones in the pills influence not only the reproductive system but also mental health, causing young girls to experience heightened anxiety, depression, or changes in how they process stress.

Unfortunately, many young women feel left out of the conversation about what's best for their bodies. With limited access to accurate information or holistic care approaches, they often don't know what questions to ask their doctors.

It's time to shift the narrative from" one-size-fits-all" solutions to more personalized, informed healthcare choices. Natural approaches, lifestyle changes, and non-hormonal treatments should be discussed as viable alternatives for managing conditions like PCOS, especially for young women who may benefit from a more natural and holistic approach.

Informed decision-making starts with awareness, conversations, and more research into the benefits and risks of these medications. Every young woman deserves to have all the facts about her health—not just a prescription handed to her.