Anyone just use condoms? Pill making me exhausted and tearful!

[MrsJohanHegg]

Before DS I used the pill for a while then a copper coil. Post-DS the thought of having a coil fitted makes me feel ill (quite a bit of intervention and unpleasantness in labour!) and so far the pills I've tried - Microgynon and Gedarel - have both made me exhausted and moody/tearful. I just want to be my usual happy energetic self!

Gedarel I've only been taking a week - has anyone found the side effects go away after a few months? I'm trying to decide whether to stick with the misery a while longer or just give up and use condoms because I'm fed up of this!

[Cupcakesarah]

I used to get bad mood swings on the week where you didn't take any pills, have you tried a progesterone only pill, you take it every day, so it levels out your hormones. I was bad to start with, but after a month my mood swing calmed down

[Cupcakesarah]

I had a break from pills after the microgynon etc, and used condoms for a while, it was perfectly fine :)

[ByeByeLilSebastian]

I got fed up with putting hormones in my body 6 months ago and only use condoms now.
Dh gets a bit fed up sometimes but apart from that it's easy enough. They are pricey though!

[walruswhiskers]

We've only used them for 11 years. They are fine.

[QuiltedAloeVera]

Yep, condoms only here. No hormone based contraceptive will enter my body again. It's not worth it.

I have a diaphragm I use for special occasions. It wasn't hugely easy to get, apparently staff are no longer trained in fitting them. They tried to get me on the coil instead, but I 've read too many horror stories on here.

[TheABC]

Condoms are fine, but make sure you have some lubricant to hand as a back up - post birth hormones are not kind to us, down below!

It may be worth exploring an injection or implant. Like you, I had mood swings on the pills, but things have really evened out since I had the implant.

[LegoCaltrops]

Condoms plus a period tracker app here. I cannot use hormonal contraception or the copper coil. Enquired about the diaphragm, got nowhere (despite assuring them I use a menstrual cup so could easily get to grips with it).

[IamNotDarling]

Condoms for 4 years with no problems at all. I had the mirena but it caused constant bleeding.

Going back to condoms until I have the vasectomy conversation with DH.

[Applesauce29]

I really can't stand hormonal contraception so condoms here. Tho there weren't many occasions between DC1 and trying for DC2. Still have yet to dtd after DC2 but I'm so tired all the time I can't be bothered exploring other options - don't envisage getting much quality time for the next few months so condoms fine. We haven't ruled out number 3 yet (tho would prob want to wait a couple of years), so long term options off the table too for me, and another reason against hormonal for now.

[MrsJohanHegg]

TheABC DS is 2 now so thankfully ok in that arena

CupcakeSarah are those the ones you have to take in a 3 hour window? I couldn't be trusted with those! These are every day but they're combined. My GP thought Gedarel might be better as it's a different form of progesterone...

Glad it's still perfectly normal to just use condoms, it's just feels weirdly juvenile!

[BaDumShh]

I gave up on hormonal contraception completely 6 years ago and have never looked back. Got sick of pumping hormones into my body that messed with my periods, mood, weight, and gave me terrible headaches. I'm yet to have any DC (hopefully within the next year or two) and it's good to know my cycle is running fine on its own and I can pick up any issues quickly and get it checked out when it doesn't.

Condoms are a pain at first but you soon get used to using them all the time. My DP certainly never complains!

[puffylovett]

We only use condoms. Dh keeps begging for the snip, but I won't let him unless he lets me have another puppy
They're fine, just a bit irritating at times!
I forgot about diaphragms!

[kshaw]

We were just using condoms and I'm now 15 weeks pregnant...!

We definitely used one but I think gin drinking and using a condom effectively doesn't work out !!

[MrsJohanHegg]

I'll remember to keep off the gin then kshaw congratulations! Fortunately when we've had a few drinks these days we end up collapsing into bed to fall into a stupor rather than throws of passion

[kshaw]

On the plus side the nickname for our bump was pretty easy - we have our own Beefeater

[Artistic]

Only ever used condoms and will always do so. No invasive hormonal implants for me & no snip for DH. Happy with condoms.

[idontlikealdi]

Only condoms since DTs arrived 5.5 years ago. It's fine but still have to remember on the rare occasions that we go out and get pissed. Did have to get the MAP once. I'm pushing him to get the snip.

[Cupcakesarah]

OP, the one I have can be taken in a 12 hour window, but some are 3 hours, you'd have to check with the prescriber that you wanted a 12hr one :)

[girlwithamoonandstaronherhead]

Yes just condoms here, don't like taking the pill.