Contraception advice - I *want* hormones but can't do the mirena.

[Bozza]

Brief history. Was on the pill since early 20s until I came off it before conceiving DS and had no problems. Then went back on it after I stopped breastfeeding him. Came off it conceive DD who is now 11 months and stopped bf a couple of months ago. Not planning to have any more children. When DD was 5 months had a mirena fitted. Had lots of heavy bleeding and went for 6 week check. GP couldn't find. Had to have scan, internal scan and x-ray. Coil not there. Since then have had really heavy periods that I have been finding hard to cope with. Decided to have another go with the mirena, went to GP last Thursday but she was unable to insert it - apparently I have an extremely anteverted womb and it wouldn't go round the corner (explains why the last one came out).

So I am left wondering what to do in terms of contraception. I want something with hormones in order to control the bleeding. Was wondering about the implant but not sure if that would control it. Otherwise should I just go back on the pill having had a 21 month break? I am 32.

[Frizbe]

Don't know much about it, but what about the injection or the patch thing?

[nailpolish]

if you didnt have any side effects re the pill then the inj or implant would be good for you. actually, the implant has less hormones than the pill even thought its just as effective (more so actually cos you cant 'forget' it) (in terms of remembering to take it)

so even if you did have side effects these might not happen with the implant

or the patch or inj

[Bozza]

Don't fancy the injection because it only lasts for 3 months so would have to go to the doctors for it every 3 months. Whereas implant lasts for 3 years I think which is a major advantage. But an advantage of the pill is that you can take repeat packets and thus avoid having a period on holiday etc.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the implant and how it affects heaviness of period?

[anchovies]

I have just had my implant taken out. My periods took a while to settle down (about 3 months of irregular bleeding) but once they had my periods were very light. Would defo have it again as it was completely hassle free. Having it put in and taken out wasn't very nice but better than having a coil put in!

[anchovies]

Sorry meant they were irregular when it was first put in.

[Bozza]

So did you have it taken out because the time was up/you wanted to try to conceive or because you didn't like it?

[aloha]

In your position, at your age, and assuming you are a non-smoker I'd go back on the Pill and take it consecutively so I only had four periods a year. In fact, that is probably what I will do, and I'm nearly ten years older than you.

[Bozza]

Am a non-smoker with low blood pressure and general good health. Think you might be right Aloha.

[anchovies]

Have got endometriosis and the implant definitely helped, very light periods, sometimes no periods at all. Had it taken out as am ttc. Will have it put back in again later, am not very reliable with the pill.

[hellomama]

I would say that if you have got on well with the pill in the past, I would definitely consider using it again. You could try the Implanon implant, but it does tend to cause irregular bleeding at first (average 3-6 months) although you can have some pills to stop this if it is a real nuisance. Basically it works in exactly the same way as the Mirena, but is inserted into the inside of your upper arm. You can feel it but not see it. You have a local anaesthetic and it is put in like having a kind-of big injection. But the benefits are that you dont have to think about it again for 3 years. It stops ovulation within 6 months in most women, so after the initial irregular bleeding (not all women get this though!) periods usually stop altogether and won't start again until you have it removed. Fertility returns to normal very quickly after removal as levels of hormone are very low, unlike the injection. Maybe you could try the implanon and if you don't get on with it, go back on the pill? As long as you are not overweight, don't smoke and have normal blood pressure, you can happily be on the pill until menopause!