Can somebody please talk an idiot through all the possible NON hormonal methods of contraception please?

[fuzzpig]

Getting a bit sick of condoms basically, would prefer being a bit more spontaneous :o

But, having numerous physical and mental health problems, anything hormonal is ruled out basically.

So... what other possibilities are there? Any experiences would be most welcome.

[ilovepowerhoop]

copper coil or diaphragm if you dont want to use condoms

[fuzzpig]

Thanks, I don't really know much about them. Is the copper coil different from the mirena coil? I have to admit the thought of the procedure puts me off (I needed diazepam to get through a smear test FFS :() but worth considering.

I only even considered switching as I was reading a book in which the main character uses a diaphragm as birth control :o I'd always thought it was a bit icky when we learned about it in school, but I will find out more about that too. I guess you still can't always be spontaneous but would be worth it as it would feel better than with condoms.

[spottydolphin]

Sterilisation??

[fuzzpig]

Nope not ready for that! Would like another DC but not right now.

[LumionaMoonsplash]

I'm in the same situation but its condoms for us for now. I've had the pill, depo and mirena and I hated what they did to me, so until he gets the snip its condoms. Though I do keep freaking out when I see the condom failure threads though.

[littleseahorse]

I asked about a diaphram once and gp said they did not do them anymore.

I used natural family planning (I know I will get shouted down for this) which was the sympto-thermal method. This works on charting fertility symptoms and temperature. There is a book and website called Take Charge of Your Fertility. You do need to observe the rules for abstaining very strictly, though, and be rigorous in charting.

As I say, I expect to be shouted down on this, but I didn't want hormonal contraceptives or anything invasive and I found it useful. I am not in a relationship at the moment, and looking back, it seems a big faff. But it was kind of fun at the time, and great to know just where I was in my cycle. Now I don't have a clue.

[ilovepowerhoop]

yes, the copper coil has no hormones whereas the mirena does.

[beatingwings]

I have a diaphram- theye are brilliant, so certainly still made. I pop it in every night after brushing my teeth. Some nights it is needed, others not. You don't need to stop and fumble.

[fuzzpig]

I'm pretty confident with condoms - it's all we've ever used apart from when TTC (which was first cycle each time - so come to think of it we've really only had about 18 months in total of condom free sex. Hmmph) a mishap wouldn't be a total disaster although not ideal right now.

DH did offer to have the snip a while ago, but I'm really glad I put him off as I'm hideously broody now, which I really wasn't expecting to feel again! But for various reasons we couldn't TTC now so need something in the meantime.

Interesting about NFP. I am fairly aware of my cycle but not sure I could be arsed to chart!

I asked about a diaphram once and gp said they did not do them anymore. really?! Oh darn. I guess they are not as reliable.

[fuzzpig]

Oh xpost. Can you, erm, feel it? Or more to the point, can DH? :o

[beatingwings]

No, I can't feel it at all when in place, neither can OH.

[LexieSinclair]

I have a copper coil and I think it's brilliant. I have no side effects whatsoever, and it lasts 10 years so I don't even have to think about it.

[MrsDiesel]

I have a 10 year copper coil and get along with it fine.

Having it put in was easier than a smear but I had some slight cramps afterwards.

I could feel the strings for awhile after which was a little uncomfortable but it soon settled.

I am happy to know I don't have to worry for a long time and don't have to remember anything or do anything.

[littleseahorse]

Yes, sorry I was not clear. They makes diaphragms but my GP said they do not fit them anymore as they are not as reliable as other, more modern methods.

NFP, the charting was fairly simple as there was an online programme you just entered in the info. I did it for several years, but gave up when breastfeeding a (planned!) baby who woke every hour. The software adjusted if you took your temp too early or too late, but you were supposed to have three hours of unbroken sleep before doing so.

[goodasitgets]

I have no DC and have a copper coil fitted, the fitting was absolutely fine. I did go to a family planning clinic where the woman was amazing, used local anaesthetic gel and said she fitted them all day long
Have also used persona (natural family planning monitor). Used for 18 months with no problems

[xalyssx]

I use these sponges in lieu of a diaphragm.

[claraschu]

I used to use a cervical cap, which worked well, but I don't think the NHS prescribe them (I was in the US). I think there is a paternalistic view that people can't be trusted to use barrier methods consistently and effectively, but I knew I could trust myself.

I would never want to take hormones, and think it is a crying shame that they are pushed on people, their side effects minimised, and condoms the only alternative offered.

[WillieWaggledagger]

I have a copper coil (hormonal contraception has so far made me depressed) and I get on with it fine, though my periods are heavier than before and slightly more painful. I had quite light periods before so that's not too much of a problem, but if yours are very heavy already then you might think twice. The insertion was uncomfortable but not unbearable, but I haven't had children - if you have had a vaginal delivery it's possible that you might feel very little at all (though if you have difficulties with smears then be aware the process is similar and takes slightly longer).

[LettertoHerms]

I won't use hormonal contraception anymore, and DP and I are in the "not ideal timing but would be fine if a pregnancy happened" camp, so we use a combination of condoms/withdrawal/NFP. I use an app to track my cycles, we use condoms for all the "risky" days and withdrawal on the safest days.

To be fair, we haven't done this long, just a few months on each side of the long time I was on the pill, so I can't say with authority it's a good method, but it seems logical for us.

[meditrina]

With 'typical' (rather than 'perfect') use, the diaphragm is slightly more reliable than condoms, an both are considerably more reliable than the sponge.

NFP reliability depends on which methods you use: a sympto-thermal combined with calendar method is best (calendar alone, least reliable).

[fuzzpig]

I've got my appt in a couple of hours, with a GP at my local surgery who specialises in family planning. Mainly going to ask about the diaphragm but will see if she suggests anything else - however I think I have accepted that I'm limited to barrier methods as anything else creeps me out

[Lottapianos]

Very interesting thread. I have no children and not planning any. I would love to come off hormones. I'm currently on the pill and I've recently started to have a very light bleed half way through my pack. It's a pain. I think you need nerves of steel to use condoms only and that's definitely not me! I had Mirena, it was wonderful for 3 years then I started having a bit of bleeding and cramping.

Copper coil sounds like an option although I have always had rwally heavy painful periods. I really wish they would sort out a pill for men to take so hormonal contraception could be shared fairly!

[Lottapianos]

And good luck fuzzpig

[fuzzpig]

Thanks, it was a mixed result really. She looked quite surprised when I asked about the diaphragm and said they don't do them here. But she is going to ask another GP (also a FP specialist) if she fits them (does that mean they'll put it in for you?!?) and also suggested I ask at the FP clinic at the hospital in town.

She also explained a lot more about the copper coil. It doesn't sound so scary, although I'd be concerned about the possibility of heavier periods. I am also worried about DH being able to feel it (though I didn't mention this). As it's a 10yr thing I might consider that for a few years down the line, after baby #3 if we have one (a girl can dream). She went through the procedure in detail and it doesn't sound so terrible, although I'd definitely need a sedative like for the smear test.

She was nice though and didn't seem remotely fussed when I said I didn't want to try any hormonal method (unlike other HCPs who have looked at me like I have two heads )

[kalidasa]

Definitely try to go to a specialist family planning clinic if you can, fuzzpig. They will be able to offer a much wider range, and with things that need fitting (like copper coil) or they need to teach you to insert (like diaphragm) I think it is much better to see someone who does this stuff all day every day. If you are in London or near London the Margaret Pyke centre (near King's Cross) is AMAZING, I can't recommend it highly enough.

I also can't use hormones and neither I nor my DH is super keen on condoms. I am pregnant at the moment but the methods I have used/considered at various times and in various combinations include:

copper coil
NFP/FAM (don't rely on the internet programs, they are unreliable if you have tricky cycles, get hold of the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book if you are interested)
condoms (e.g. with FAM so condoms just at fertile time, not all month)
cap
diaphragm
sponge
withdrawal (not completely crazy if you are relatively old and experienced, know each other well and have info about where you are in your cycle)

there are also the 'lower dose' hormonal options - implant, Mirena coil and there's also a ring thing that sits round your cervix I think. Personally any hormone is too much for me but you might want to consider these.

FWIW I have only NOT used contraception four months in my life and I have conceived four times (1 DS, 2 early losses, currently pregnant again). So presumably I am highly fertile. But I used NFP/FAM successfully for years before starting a family. So it really can be reliable, even for women who are v. fertile.