Post-natal contraception - rubbish options

[EgonSpengler]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone might have any advice... I'm looking for contraception but am pretty disheartened by the options I've been given. My Dr says as I'm 35 I should no longer be on the pill (I'm not overweight and I've never smoked). I've always got on with the pill, so am disappointed that I can't go back to it. I don't really like any other of the options due to the side effects that they appear to have. I don't want anything that requires a medical procedure as I had a fairly traumatic birth experience and was torn to shreds, which rules out the implant and coil. The side effects of the mini pill and injection leave a lot to be desired as far as I can see.

Because of the horrid birth experience (and rough pregnancy) I don't really want to have another baby.

Any words of advice appreciated!

Egon x

[fifi25]

I would try the depo injection. I have had this on and off for 10 years. It has always completely stopped my period. The last time i had it i still had a period but apparently they have changed the make-up of it. You just get a shot in your bottom every 12 weeks. I have a needle phobia with having blood taken but this is fine as i cant see what the nurse is doing. Ive had no ill effects and havent put on any weight.

[EgonSpengler]

Hi fifi,

That's good to know!I googled the depo injection and all sorts of horror stories pinged up (google-ing is lethal, but it's so hard not to). I was worried about the weight gain on the injection and also a few people have said that they had a period continuously, which seems like a bit of a pain.

Thanks once again!

[Tee2072]

I'm nearly 42 and according to my GP the POP's, or mini-pill, are fine until menopause! I would ask your GP about them again.

[fifi25]

I know loads of family friends on it and recently some have been having bleeds when they previously hadnt. My most recent one seems to have stopped the bleeding and i am 8 weeks in but the previous one didnt and i was gutted because i was in Bulgaria on holiday and bled the whole time. I would ask about it or maybe try one and see how you go.

[systemsaddict]

If it's only the procedure putting you off the implant, I had it fitted this week and was very surprised at how minor it was - 2 injections of local anaesthetic, then about 30 seconds later it was in. If you're considering depo, think about the implant too as it's one procedure then you're done for years, while depo you have to keep going back for injections.

I previously had the Mirena coil 'cos I was put off by the idea of having the implant in my arm, had a nasty experience with that which I won't go into, was amazed at how minimally invasive the implant fitting was in comparison.

[lv75]

I have had horrid experiences with a lot of contraception but I googled and found the horror stories before trying them (all!)out. Just because things don't suit other people doesn't meant they won't suit you. Although i put on weight last time I was on depo, this was probably because I was working late nights and snacking big time when I got home, then when I was home with my daughter I would have huge amounts of food. This time I am aware of the increased appetite thing so am avoiding certain foods and watching what I eat.

I can't have microgynon due to migraines but I think if you have no other history you are still suitable for it - I really miss microgynon it suited me, since then I've tried the copper coil which gave me long heavy periods and the cerazette which I stopped at the weekend as I bled and bled. I'm back on the depo which has stopped the bleeding, I did get a long bleed at the end of each cycle, but if I stay on it have agreed to go back after 10 weeks which should lessen the lenght of this bleed (I naturally have a short cycle anyway). I know plenty of people who are fine on cerazette, and who have been OK with copper coils but not the depo, it just goes to show everyone is different.

The main problem I experienced with the implanon is when I did start to bleed heavily after 4 months I had to be really persistent to get the doctor to take it out (it took 2 months to get them to agree to remove it). LIkewise the mirena. They will try to give you more drugs to control bleeding before removing it which is dodgy in my opinion.

I would definitely think twice before having something removable put in as they tend to make you wait a while before they take it out as they keep telling you it will settle down. Hope this helps at all. I have officially tried every form of contraception going bar sterilization so I am becoming a bit of an expert - I am now on the revisiting methods stage!