To come off the pill

[Slumberparty]

Sorry if there is TMI here...

I have been on the pill on and off for the last 11 years. I started getting migraines which affected my eyesight (not very often) and mentioned to the GP and was taken off the pill immediately. Some time later I wanted back on so tried a diff pill which didn't agree with me - was pretty much bleeding for about 3 months so gave up with that one. After another break and after meeting DP, I asked to go back onto the pill (he would rather not use condoms and I wanted to for the convenience of regulating my periods a bit more).
I've been on this one (cilest) for nearly 4 years now, and have been getting chronic thrush, almost once every couple of months. I just realised (I know a bit slow!) that I think it started when I started the pill. After a bit of research I discovered that it can in fact be a side-effect.

So...once this pill packet finishes I'd like to stop the pill and tell my DP he will have to use condoms. I am sick of putting chemicals into my body and feel I've suffered enough! I know he won't like the idea, and will probably think it's a ploy to get pregnant! It's not, although I won't deny that I wouldn't be overjoyed if it accidentally happened!

[AThingInYourLife]

YANBU

He has no business "not liking the idea".

It's not your job to prevent him becoming a father. It's his.

[showtunesgirl]

Have you thought about maybe getting a Coil? It's a much lower dosage of hormones than the Pill.

[Slumberparty]

That's kind of my thinking AThing - it not just my responsibility is it!
Showtunes - not ever considered it actually as I don't know anyone who uses it. Is that a more long-term contraceptive like the injection?

[YouMayLogOut]

What showtunesgirl said. Have you thought about the Mirena coil?

[showtunesgirl]

Info on here: www.womens-health.co.uk/mirena.asp

I'm looking into this myself as I'm on the Mini Pill at the mo and I'm not sure it's working out for me. I can't go back on the normal pill as I'm BF.

[Slumberparty]

Thanks Showtunes. The idea of irregular bleeding for the first 3 months puts me off as I had this before with a different pill I tried - although I guess this may have settled down eventually if I'd persevered with it.
I also feel like Im done with having extra hormones put into my body.

[GirlWithALlamaTattoo]

My friend's got a non-hormone-type coil and found it fine. She's early thirties, no kids yet, if that makes a difference.

[SomersetONeil]

Goodness me, well, if he has a problem with it, it will say a lot about him!

I never really got on with the pill and condoms are our current contraception of choice (both pre- and post-DC), and my DH was completely understanding.

[Slumberparty]

Thanks Girl - will google it!

[cookielovesorange]

I have no idea about the coils, however i did have the injection for almost 2 years i came off it accidentally in November 2010, and still my periods are not 100% back to my previous monthly cycle i had before i went on it.

[cookielovesorange]

Sorry i posted to early.

I also put on almost 3 stone of weight while on the injection so i really would advise against anyone going on it, without thinking it through thoroughly.

I know people who have had the coil, and it has worked well for them

[Wrigglebum]

I had a copper coil pre dcs as the pill and injection didn't suit me. I was 25 i think when i got it and in a long term relationship. Having it put in was rather painful but then you're sorted for five or ten years depending on which one you get. I found it great, slightly heavier periods but no more painful. Got the mirena now as tempted by the potential for no periods, if the hormones don't suit me I'll go back to the copper coil.

[Slumberparty]

The copper coil sounds like a great alternative - but can I have it if I want to have a baby in a years time. Seems like it is a more long-term contraceptive method?

[showtunesgirl]

I think that your fertility levels come back quicker from the Coil than the Pill as it's a lower dosage. That's what happened with my friend anyway.

[TheDetective]

The copper coil can be removed at any point, so yes, it is fine for what you want. I had mine in for a year.

However I had heavy periods with it, and when I say heavy, I mean the kind that flows like a river down your legs, through a tampon and sanitary pad. The kind that exploded upwards, over the top of my knickers and went everywhere. In a restaurant. My body spent 2 weeks a month trying to expel the damn thing, 2 week periods, cramps and pain. I bled through on to chairs and all kinds. I was wearing 2 maternity sanitary pads (the ones you get in hospital, not the shop bought rubbish!) to try and contain it. Didn't work.

I was previously a 3 day period girl, with 1 - 1 1/2 days of moderate bleeding, the rest was light bleeding, and I had a regular cycle etc.

I hated it. Got rid of it. Didn't get on with the Implant, or pill either. Hormonal contraception just made me not want sex. Ever.

I'm now pregnant but god knows what I'm going to do in a couple of months :( Condoms don't work well, they split. All the bloody time. Siiiiiiiiiiiigh.

I need a contraceptive miracle!

[AbbyGally]

I have the Mirena and it's awesome, no periods, no weight gain. I have a feeling it may take longer to equilibrate should you want to conceive as it is hormonal to a degree, but as I currently have no intention of doing so, not a concern for me.

The non-hormonal coil (copper, I guess) gave me shocking period pains. However, you can basically whip it out and your fertility is unaffected as it physically prevents implantation rather than fertilisation, as opposed to Mirena, which is a bit of both as far as I understand.

I'm on my second Mirena now and could not sing its praises highly enough, but appreciate might not be suitable for you. Might be wrong about conception after removal though!

[Slumberparty]

Thedetective - that sounds horrific! My periods naturally last a full 7 days so what would that mean for me!!! Seriously though, the copper coil does sound like quite a good alternative as long as I don't have bad side-effects. I had never heard of it before tonight.
Can't wait for them to develop the male contraceptive pill!

[angeltattoo]

I came off the pill in March because I was told to by my Consultant, I saod to DH, I have been taking care of contraception for 6 years now, I cannot continue on the pill as I have been on hormonal contraception, so it's your turn to take responsibility for it.

He was fine, because he's a grown man. If you are honest with DP, then you willl have nothing to worry about.

P.s. We bought a box of 12 condoms, never opened it, and are now 11 weeks pregnant - but that was an informed decision to not use the contraceptive methods open to us

[TheDetective]

You can but try it! Works differently for everyone! It would have been perfect if it wasn't for the bloodbath every month!

[MsOnatopp]

Mirena coil was AWFUL, don't do it!!!

My stabbed me while it was slowly falling out for three weeks!! Made my depression horrendous and gave me headaches.

So many women on here will tll you how bad it is. All it takes is a search of the site.

[MsOnatopp]

(oh and the falling out of the coil was TWO YEARS after having it put in!!)

I loved it before that... and it's not as uncommon as they make out.

[MsOnatopp]

Mirena shouldn't affect you after you take it conception wise.

[Slumberparty]

Hi angeltattoo - that's pretty much what I want.

I don't know why I'm expecting him to complain about it....but tough luck! When I told him the other day I couldn't have sex because I had thrush, I keep getting thrush and I thought that the pill was causing it, he said...nothing!

[notmyproblem]

The copper coil is a long-term contraceptive method in the sense that you can use it for 5-10 years, but there's no waiting period once you have it out, you can get pregnant right away.

Would never go back to the pill again after having the coil. It was uncomfortable having it put in (the first time, before I had DD - the second time it was painless) but well worth the convenience. I hate hormonal birth control, it has never worked for me and the coil is bliss. Never even notice or think about it!

Be clear when you go in to get it that you want the copper coil, not the Mirena. I believe some clinics push you to get the Mirena for whatever reason, do not let them convince you to get that if you want the copper one instead.

[Slumberparty]

angeltattoo - congratulations on your pregnancy by the way!