To think women are fucked over with contraception

[Nuphonewhodis]

So I've only ever used condoms as I've only really had sporadic sex. However, I've started getting serious with a new man and I really need a more reliable form of contraception (as well as condoms).

However, I've been researching different contraceptions and every single one seems to have a risk of some really shit side effects!

Acne, weight gain, more painful periods!
I'm so jealous of how easy men have it I'm this regard!

So does anyone have any recommendations for a contraception that isn't likely to give me acne, make me gain weight or make my already very painful peropds worse?! Aka the holy grail

[Disfordarkchocolate]

I love my Mirena coil buts its not for everyone. It's stopped me getting pregnant and reduced heavy periods so I'm happy.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Do they still do the "dutch cap"? And spermicide?

[YellowLilies]

I had the implant in.
I did gain weight but tbh it was when I started uni and had loads of take aways so I don't know how much it correlates.
I did like that it stopped my periods altogether though. (So did the mini pill)

[PinkiOcelot]

I’m another Mirena user. Get along very well with it, but know it doesn’t agree with everyone.
What about the implant?

[dashitauntagatha]

Mirena! Ticks all those boxes. I loved mine, no periods, no side effects. Less than 1% of the hormone is released into the bloodstream so side effects are rare.

I wouldn't bother with a Dutch cap unless you don't mind a significant risk of pregnancy...

[Sausagefingers9]

I don’t think it exists op! Condoms are the only contraception I can cope with but even they can fail.

Can anyone else just not cope with hormonal stuff? I had the injection once and thought I was having a mental breakdown. Absolutely awful.

[Burnshersmurfs]

Another mirena fan here!

[Fireballfriends]

I've had the copper coil for years, I love it. I don't know how it affects periods, it might make them heavier for some people but it hasn't for me. If anything they are lighter and less painful that they were before.

[TulipDragonfly]

For me it doesnt exist. The pill kills my libido (although one could argue that makes it even more effective as i definitly wont be getting pregant if sex repulses me). The implant made me balloon in weight and once id had it removed my grey fog of depression instantly lifted. My vagina hates spermicides and becomes very raw, red and angry. My one attempt at getting a coil fitted led to the nurse panicking that she'd perforated my womb she didn't but i was sent to hospital to have a million people inspect what was happening with it.

[greendale17]

ALL medication has a risk of side effects

[FissionChip5]

Hormonal contraception makes me suicidal, I stick with condoms.

Every woman is different, what suits some won’t suit others.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

I had a Mirena too, and it was brilliant for me. But I mentioned the dutch cap because I have read horror stories from.other women about how badly it has affected them, and how hard it can be to get it removed if it doesn't work for you. Dutch cap plus spermicide plus condoms, you're pretty safe.

[PinkDaffodil2]

Rule out copper coil which will likely make your periods worse, and if you’re young and already obese then the depot injection may make you gain weight. None of the others have a significant weight gain side effect or cause heavy periods. You’re right there are lots of side effects, but also lots of positives with some methods and if you’re unlucky it’s not big deal to switch methods.
Important things to consider - would you like something long acting like a coil / implant / injection? Would you like something that will likely make you’re periods lighter or stop them? Are you a smoker / over 35 / have migraines with aura which may limit options.

[MikeUniformMike]

Another vote for the diaphragm.

[PinkDaffodil2]

Have you tried any contraception in the past either as a contraceptive or to manage your periods?

[Purpleartichoke]

Condoms plus charting. Use condoms most days. Abstain on fertile days.

Hormonal birth control and I are not a good match.

[Oysterbabe]

Abstinence is working well for me.

[blackteasplease]

Always stuck to condoms myself.

[PottyPotterer]

I can't be the only one who wonders how we now have numerous contraceptive options for women, pills, coils, implants, injections but still nothing than men can take . There are injections to temporarily sterilise male animals why not male humans? Pisses me right off actually. I just don't believe with all the advances in medicine that it isn't possible.

[RoboticSealpup]

I was lucky as I used the Cerazette mini pill for five years without any noticeable side effects. It stopped my periods and they took a while to return when I came off them.

[LemonBreeland]

I agree OP. The reason the male pill never got off the ground was due to side effects. I wonder if any of them were as serious as some of the ones we are expected to put up with.

I also recently researched many contraceptives and what stood out was that the common, as in affect more than one in ten women, were numerous as well as many being side effects I would class as serious. We really do have the shitty end of the stick.

[NeverHadANickname]

For me it was the implant, easiest 3 years ever contraception wise.

[Nuphonewhodis]

@PinkDaffodil2

Im not obese but I'm right at the higher limit of a healthy weight and it's a constant battle to not veer into being overweight, so contraception which would make me gain weight would really not be ideal. I'm under 35 and don't smoke.

I've never been on any kind of contraception before so it's all very new to me. My periods are already very light but are extremely painful. Its not important to me that they get lighter or even that they disappear at all, just anything which at the very least doesn't make them even more painful would be fine by me.

A long term one would also be preferable but I'm also happy to take a short-term one as long as it doesn't give me the side effects im most scared of.

Also, is acne only really likely if you have a history with it? I have always had pretty clear skin so is this likely to make any difference?

[Deadringer]

I was on the pill most of my adult life and had no problems with it, it does suit some people so might be worth a try.

[MemorialBeach]

Diaphragm or cap plus spermicide plus condom. Or diaphragm or cap plus spermicide plus withdrawal. Or condom plus withdrawal. Or as mentioned by a PP charting plus either condom cap or diaphragm.

I have only recently started having sex for the first time (am iny 40s) and spent ages looking into the various contraception options and was really annoyed with all the possible side effects, and the fact that most were for women. I am currently using condoms, and plan to start using the diaphragm as well soon. I can't chart as am perimenopausal and my periods are all over the place.