What are the non-hormonal conteaceptive options?

[SurlyCue]

I'm not interested in anything that will fuck about with my mood or weight or skin or periods. I dont want to be sterilised.

What are my options and what are the pros and cons?

[TaurielTest]

Old-school coil (not mirena)
Condoms
Diaphragm
NFP

• I think that's your lot.

[QueenTilly]

Femidoms, but I have only ever heard of them. Never seen leaflets for those in the surgery!

[Pannacotta]

The cap
contragel.co.uk/femcap-the-new-cervical-cap.html

[goodasitgets]

I've used both copper coil and persona. Persona was reliable for me for 18 months but you have to track and do urine tests (stick in wee)
I don't mean it failed after 18 months, it was user error

[DropYourSword]

The 3 c's of contraception!

Coil
Cap
Condoms

[Guyropes]

FAM... Fertility awareness method. Read 'taking charge of your fertility' by Toni weschler.

Similar to nfp and using a persona, the book gives you all the info you need to understand your cycle and identify fertile/infertile times.

[sksk]

Has anyone tried the FemCap- I'm curious as I don't think I will ever find a suitable pill. I'll be asking my GP about NuvaRing but they'll primly fob me off because of cost! Also, I think my body does not like constant hormones- I start spotting. I'm on Femodette currently which makes me feel anxious and depresses but no spotting; however, I have started a pack back to back (as I forgot to take the last pill on time !)against the last pack and have started spotting now. Diaphragm was a disaster as was Mirena!

[Guyropes]

What is the FemCap? Never heard if it. Is it new?

[sksk]

I looked it up on the contragel website someone posted above. I think caps might not be in fashion in the NHS now but I didn't get on with the diaphragm and hormonal contraception doesn't seem to suit me.

[MrsDiesel]

I have a 10 year copper coil as I was sick of hormonal contraception. I have had it 2 years now and all good so far.

[sksk]

Did you get heavier bleeding initially (and pain)? my periods are heavy normally.

[SurlyCue]

Thanks for all the advice. I think i'll go and see about the copper coil. Does it mess with periods? I am really lucky to have very short and light periods every 28 days like clockwork and really dont want to mess with that.

[sksk]

I think the copper coil can make them heavier and more painful initially, but probably better to ask about that!

[MrsDiesel]

I've always had irregular period anyway but they have been a bit painful since the coil.

[a2011x]

Copper coil, condoms, natural family planning and diaphragm

[SurlyCue]

Thank you. I'll make an appointment with the GP and talk it through.

[piggychops]

Persona
Worked well for us but you have to be really strict on the days you have a red light ( or get a bit creative). Used it for 2 years before children then in between children.

[Guyropes]

I found that the 5yr coil affected my periods much less than the 10yr one. I had it removed after 9 months due to anaemia.

[Teabiscuits]

Reading this thread with interest as I have been described as 'hormone nightmare' by GP! Have considered copper coil but reluctant as my default setting is just bleed bleed bleed, bleed some more for no apparent reason...
Waiting on hubbys snip appointment to come through

[NotCitrus]

Alternatives to the above:
Take bloke for the snip.
Only have non-PIV sex.

Try a family planning/sexual health clinic rather than GP, for more options.

I'm actually bleeding way less with a copper coil and much less painfully.

[Guyropes]

Teabiscuits... Sorry to hear you're having trouble finding something. When you say your default mode is bleed bleed bleed, do you mean that has been your response to hormonal contraceptives? Or that you continually bleed without a hormonal contraceptive?

If the latter, you really must get some proper gynae help.

You seem to have made a decision about the snip, which will hopefully work for you both as a long term solution... Hope it goes well.

[Teabiscuits]

I should have quantified that really shouldn't I! Default was probably a bad choice of word there.

The implant, progesterone only pill and low eostrogen pills made me bleed almost continously, I gave each pill 6 months and the implant about a year before abandoning them.
The combined pill makes me feel psychotic.

I have 4 children - the least amount if time I have bled post birth is 6 weeks, the longest was almost twelve weeks. My periods tend to be long and heavy, and irregular so I sometimes only have a 3 week cycle .
Oh, and I had a placental abruption with my third, causing a massive heammorage. So it's really just my own feeling that I have had more than my fair share of vaginal bleeding that makes me say that!

I have seen the GP, had an internal ultrasound and my smear test is normal, no fibroids or cysts.

[Guyropes]

Tea biscuit ... Goodness that is a lot of bleeding! Glad you've had reassurance from docs. Have you not ended up anaemic? Good luc with the snip...

[Teabiscuits]

No aneamia, it seems I naturally run on high iron levels according to blood tests. Even after losing 2 litres of blood with the haemorrhage my iron levels were still within normal levels . The doctors at the hospital were shocked! I did feel terrible for about a week and was dizzy and breathless, and my milk didn't come in properly but was still glad I didn't need a transfusion. It's a wonder I don't leave the house covered in fridge magnets...

If the snip appointment doesn't come through fairly soon we will borrow some money and get it done privately!