ok so I'm after an alternative to the pill

[chocoholic05]

I'm going to make an appointment next week. I'm bored with the monotony of taking it everyday tbh. I'm very forgetful and there's usually one or two pills each month I've forgotten and that doesn't count the ones I take less than twelve hours later! I had implanon removed last year because I bled constantly! I'm thinking either the coil or sterilized? I'm on mercilon at the moment btw

[chocoholic05]

i have two boys btw aged 5 and 7. And I'm 39

[chocoholic05]

and definitely don't want any more children!

[Spookey80]

I have a more a coil, its great. Low dose of hormones, Eli with bleeding, some people don't bleed at all.
Bit uncomfortable having it put in but no worse than a smear.
That's my advice anyway. It's great.

[Spookey80]

More, hold read mirena.

[chocoholic05]

Great thanks! Do you mean a mirena coil? I feel a bit bad because I got a new prescription for the pill last week but I've been thinking more and more i really couldn't be doing with it anymore. So it'll be a waste of a prescription now won't it?

[chocoholic05]

x posts sorry!

[RandomMess]

Try the mirena, I did but didn't get on with it, spotting for 6 months, still had week long spotting/periods and the threads irritated me. It's worth a go but be aware they can get difficult if you want it taken out again after 2 years of suffering with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ended up being sterilised.

[chocoholic05]

I had all sorts of problems with my implant. They were really reluctant to remove it and kept prescribing things to stop the bleeding even the pill. I got so annoyed that I had to fight to have it removed. its my body and the constant bleeding really got me down. It was a great contraceptive because I didn't want dh near me!

[Fairygen]

I have had a mirena for 15 years ( obviously changed every 5 years!!) wouldn't be without it. No bleeding at all, apart from when it's changed. Tbh I found it absolute agony to be put in, but it only lasted a few seconds. I know people who didn't feel much discomfort at all. I would def recommend.

[chocoholic05]

right I'll make that appointment then. Would not like getting it fitted at all though I hate smear tests!

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Your DP could get a vasectomy? It's a lot less invasive than female sterilisation, therefore a lot safer...

[HamletsSister]

Love my Mirena. Daughter 11 now and have had one since just after she was born. Really, really good. No periods, no problems.

[chocoholic05]

orbis my dh has been saying he'll have a vasectomy since my youngest ds was born five and a half years ago. Even today when I mentioned I'm going to book an appointment next week he said no need to I'm going to get the snip! I don't believe him anymore its just words!

[OrbisNonSufficit]

Hm. That's a bit unreasonable of him - it's only day surgery, it's really a very straightforward procedure. I'd put more pressure on him if I were you before subjecting yourself to loads of hormones or a risky sterilisation op... Could you book a joint GP appt perhaps to go through the pros and cons of all the options?

[bookbird]

I had a copper coil fitted back in 2009. I had a difficult first six months (v heavy periods) but haven't looked back since. I was hormone free for the first time in almost 15 years.

[TheFuzz]

Just to add, the snip should be a 30 minute appointment start to finish, and a few days of discomfort.

There is a 10% (1 in 10) chance of long term pain - NHS Official figures now. I was done last year, and have had a nightmare. Things were improving a few months ago, and I thought I'd turned the corner, but they have got bad again.

Very unpleasant, and the effect has had the exact opposite on what we expected, re: contraception - i.e. you won't be getting frisky very often. I'm waiting to go back to Urology to see what we can do (next option is nasty surgery with just a 1 in 2 success).

Most go well though, but 1 in 10 is a very high rate. If DH hasn't recovered in 2 weeks, then start to worry ! I would also advise having it done under general, it's not pleasant when you have to stay still and can feel everything (the anaesthetic doesn't always take immediately).

[badgeroncaffeine]

How about the no sex option?

[chocoholic05]

the no sex option? For the next ten years? My dh would love that I'm sure! !!

[badgeroncaffeine]

Is he just with you for sex?

[bishboschone]

I have the copper coil , I did have the mirena for a while but I don't get on with the hormones and I like the idea of hormone free. It's fab .

[chocoholic05]

err no we've been married 15 years and we're very happy together but obviously sex is an important part of our relationship why shouldn't it be? What a strange question!

[badgeroncaffeine]

well, your initial question is strange. The options are very obvious, without asking here!

[scaevola]

If DH is ready to have a vasectomy, then I'd say that's the best way forwards. It does however take several months after the OP to get the all clear negative sperm test. So perhaps you could stag on with the pill just for those few months. Then never have to think about contraception again.

[Sidge]

If you came to see me I'd recommend a Mirena coil.

Then if your DH gets his act together and gets snipped you can just have it removed.

Keep taking your pills for now as the HCP will need to be confident you're not pregnant before inserting an IUS.