Natural contraception - stupid idea?

[SingingGoldfinch]

Hi - wondering if anyone has any experience of natural contraceptive methods? I'm really interested in how this works and whether it is reliable or just plain foolish! Over the past few years I've tried merina coil, copper coil and had different issues with them both. I can't take combined pill due to migraines so am currently on cerazette but am experiencing some mood swing issues and random bleeding so considering coming off but don't know what to do instead. Dh and I hate condoms but I feel I want to be without hormones and not keen on another coil. Dh keeps talking about the snip but doesn't get round to it. I'm 42 and we have two dcs age 8 and 12. I don't want any more babies!!

[un1c0rn]

I'm on month 2 of natural cycles app. It's ok so far

[RestingGrinchFace]

Well, you could get sterilised yourself. Or just tell your DH that if he doesn't get fixed you will be entirely without contraception. I'm sure that that will get him into gear. You shouldn't have to put up with side effects when you have two reliable and permanent solutions.

[MrsXx4]

I've been going natural in the contraception department since May and feel amazing for it. However, we also don't mind if we get pregnant, ultimately we are avoiding it at the moment but it wouldn't be an issue for us if we did conceive.

[OrangesAndLemonsOnly]

I have been using Natural Cycles since July and it has been very illuminating. You actually know what is going on with your body and can see how you approach the fertility window and how you exit it. So it has been great to relax knowing the ovulation has occurred and you can have all the fun in the world safely past that point.

You do need to exercise common sense with it though and be disciplined as to how you take your basal temperature. For instance, for the past few cycles, the ovulation happened on day 17 without fail. However, I have been unwell and this cycle, ovulation was on day 12. Checking back on the history, I have green days up until two days prior to this month’s ovulation on 12th day. So if we had unprotected sex on the last of those green days, I would have stood a good chance of conceiving, as sperm can survive up to five days in a woman’s reproductive system.

Fortunately we didn’t. So really you can only relax AFTER the ovulation, as there can be no guarantees it will happen on a particular day of the cycle.

I still think the app is great and have no intention of pumping myself with nasty hormonal contraception again only to feel shit and grow the size of an elephant. What I am saying, use your common sense with any natural planning as things do change month to month, depending on your health, stress levels etc.

Natural cycles have been great and I have felt the happiest and healthiest since stopping HC. My libido also shot through the roof. A very nice bonus 😊

[wetpebbles]

Be very careful leading up to ovulation as somebody stated above, sperm can live 5-7 days, which is why I have a 11 month old!