To JUST use condoms?

[Whoistoknow]

How many of you rely solely on condoms and have been fine (as in no unplanned pregnancies?)

Realising that pretty much every hormonal contraception disagrees with me and I’m fed up of it. I really want to give my body a break and just use condoms, particularly as we are likely to want to start a family in the next few years (not right now though!)

GP was horrified at the thought of me getting my implant removed and not taking the pill or anything instead. Felt like a naughty teenager!!!

Interested to know whether this is an ‘unwise’ thing to do if we don’t want a baby right now or probably ok? The side effects are bad with every pill or contraption I have had so I almost think I’ll just have to risk it!!

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If you've found this page in search of condoms that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best condoms useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

[IFancyANamechange]

I’ve been off hormonal contraception for about 8 years now. Condoms only, never had an issue.

[EveryoneLoves09876]

Following. Also up for letting my body just be for a bit!

[Lostinbooksandcoffee]

Been off hormonal contraception for about 5 years, condoms only. Only pregnancies weve had are our two children who were both planned.

[PinkDaffodil2]

We relied on condoms for a few months before properly TTC - it wouldn’t have been a big deal if I got pregnant though.
Like you say you’re not a teenager - it’s only unwise if now would be a really bad time to get pregnant as obviously failure rates are loads higher with condom use.

[zscaler]

I’ve been with my husband for nearly 10 years and for the entire time (until we started ttc) we only used condoms. Totally fine and no scares. I much prefer them to hormonal contraceptives.

[BobbinThreadbare123]

Same. I am chronically ill and take enough meds without adding hormonal contraception in as well. It makes me worse than I need to be. Not had any problems.

[FourEyesGood]

Condoms only here (but not much sex - maybe 2-5 times a month). Haven’t been on hormonal contraception for over 13 years and have never had an unplanned pregnancy (two children).

[xyzandabc]

All we've ever used for 20+ years. Apart from a year or so with a Mirena coil. 3 planned pregnancies, all 1st month of not using condoms. Have taken the MAP once. So for us it's been great but you have to do what you feel is right for you.

I agree, doctors make you feel stupid for even daring to think it might be a sensible thing to do. At least now I can say, well it's worked well for over 20 years so I'll not be changing thanks very much!

[Stompythedinosaur]

I've always just used condoms. Never had any trouble with them.

[NoHardSell]

Baby number 3 thanks to condoms. The failure rate is pretty high. A copper coil for me since then! One accident is fine, two maybe not

[Fifthtimelucky]

My husband and I used condoms exclusively for the first 8 years of our relationship. No accidents.

I (intentionally) got pregnant within 3 months of him stopping using them.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

We’ve only used condoms since DD was born over a year ago. No issues. There are loads of different ones to choose from. Lost a teeny tiny bit of spontaneity but I didn’t want to go back on the pill and no issues at all.

[BetteDavisWeLuvU]

Fine here but we ended up having to have IVF so.....we’ve never noticed a condom having broke in all the years though. Before we knew DH used to have a little check. It's better without but the only Pill i’ll take is Dianette and you can't get it now.

[RHTawneyonabus]

Used only condoms for about five years here without any problems. Didn’t realise it was risky?

[autumnmum]

Condoms only since I was 22 due to not pulmonary embolism linked to pill, now late 40s and menapausal but we only have two planned children. Got pregnant within a month of trying both times so I don't have fertility issues.

[N0tfinished]

It was all
We used for 10 years or so! No accidents, just 2 planned pregnancies. I'm Menopausal now & don't need anything. Every form of hormonal contraception we tried was awful.

[walkingchuckydoll]

My parents did succesfully for the most part of 20 years (2 planned kids). Dad chose the snip when he hit 40. Don't know why, he once commented that he didn't "get" why some men disliked condoms that much so it wasn't that.

[StarsOnAMat]

We’ve used condoms for nearly fifteen years. The only times I’ve got pregnant is when I wanted to. Never had any scares.

I went for my post natal check up after having number two and I felt the GP was really trying to push me into having the coil or implant when I said I didn’t want any more children. I’m happy with how my cycle works. I don’t want to start using hormonal contraception at nearly forty.

[OoohTheStatsDontLie]

You can always use condoms and also track your cycle and avoid sex when you're most likely to get pregnant. They're effective if used correctly

[DamnYankee]

I wouldn't chance it, personally, but I did really well on a very low dose b.c. pill.

If you're going to use condoms only, I'd start tracking your cycle and avoid sex during fertile days...

[Pericombobulations]

Condoms only here too, with DH for the last 25 years. Used a MAP once when we tried a different brand and it split, back to good old faithfuls since and none have split or failed. Got pregnant very quickly when we tried without them.

[PastaBolognaise]

Condoms only since I had my last baby at 34. I am now 42. And six weeks pregnant.

[SomeoneElseEntirelyNow]

Pregnant twice using condoms (one of which while also on the pill!) though neither time stuck.

[Fuckettyfuckettyfuck]

Well, I hate to say this, but for the first time EVER I had to get the morning after pill today (I even started a thread about it earlier).

Mind you, first scare for over 20 years together. We've used condoms apart from when ttc / pg / on the mirena for 3 years so I guess those odds aren't bad.

Just unlucky as the bloody thing broke!!! At least we noticed And I track my cycle so knew that last night was bad timing...

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

Condoms only. They are fine when used sensibly.

I suspect an element of their fail rate/reputation is that they are very suited to spontaneity so get used to by a high proportion of drunk people and over excited teens, so there's probably a high rate of misuse.