How can I convince my mom that I should get the Gardasil shot??!
Question: Well I'm only thirteen and I'm an average girl, not too good not to bad, but I know that ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN and I do want to be one less person to get cervical cancer. Me and my mom went to the doctor, and my mom said that she knows nothing bad will happen and she is convinced that I will no get this. Even though I'm thirteen(and a virgin and will stay that way until I'm responsible enough) I just want to make sure that I can protect myself if...something does.....happen....acidentally. Tips?? Thanx!!
Answers: Well I'm only thirteen and I'm an average girl, not too good not to bad, but I know that ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN and I do want to be one less person to get cervical cancer. Me and my mom went to the doctor, and my mom said that she knows nothing bad will happen and she is convinced that I will no get this. Even though I'm thirteen(and a virgin and will stay that way until I'm responsible enough) I just want to make sure that I can protect myself if...something does.....happen....acidentally. Tips?? Thanx!!
First of all, congratulations on being mature and thoughtful enough to know that this vaccine is a good idea for everyone.
Your mom is probably just scared by the idea of her little girl having sex, no matter how far in the future (I think the idea of me having sex would still make my mother shudder, and I'm 28 and practically engaged!)
If you aren't planning to become sexually active for some time (which I think is a smart idea) you can wait to get the shot. Give your mother a few years to get used to the idea. Also as you get older the doctor may want to see you without your mother there, and then you can discuss the vaccine.
You sound like a smart, put-together young woman. Good for you!
You should get it, just to be safe, and protect yourself against cancer.
You don't have to get it right this minute, just before you are about 16 I think is when they reccomend it.
Find some good websites online about the pros and cons, and show them to mom. Show her that this is something that you really want, and you care about.
This is probably not what you want to hear, but my doctor told me that they aren't sure of hte side effects yet of that shot, so she doesn't recommend it yet. If you are that concerned, I would ask for condoms instead... at least you will still be responsible AND protected. I am glad you are thinking about that, but I wouldn't get the shot until we know the side effects...
I would have to agree with Cierra S as well.
New drugs are scarry because a lot of them haven't been on the market long enough to know all the total side affects.
Research is the best thing for both you and your mom. If you do your own research you may find that actually it may not be the best thing for you.
This is my tip .. and my opinion .. but please don't completely buy into the ADVERTISING of being ONE LESS. Gardasil is way too new to the market, and has had VERY little testing to determine any long term effects or results (who knows what kind of terrible results could transpire 10-15 yrs down the road). So, PLEASE - do not push to get this shot. When you start having sex - use a condom. That is the safest protection against HPV (the virus that is linked to cervical cancer) and the strongest defense is a strong & vital immune system that can deal with ANY viruses.
My tip is to read the following articles first and realise that this cervical cancer vaccine isn't necessarily going to prevent cervical cancer plus it may lead to serious health disorders. It has even led to death in several cases!
I find it very disturbing that young girls of your age already worry about dying of cervical cancer. Thanks to the agressive marketing of this gardasil vaccine I guess. Just know that the best way of preventing cancer and any other disease is a healthy lifestyle and diet and when you want sex, use condoms as suggested above. You should also know that the health of women is NOT in the best interest of the manufacturers of this vaccine. it is all about money.
I think your mother gave you a good answer, btw. There is no need for you to worry about your health as long as you live healthy (which is NOT worrying about cancer all the time).
Dr. Northrup's thoughts on the HPV Vaccine
(Oprah's favourite gynecologist): "Read on to learn about your risk of contracting cervical cancer from the virus. I also discuss why you