Opinions on contraception

[MaverickSnoopy]

I've been on the pill on/off for most of my adult life. It's not working for me anymore and I want something more permanent. We probably want another DC one day so not too permanent. I can't take oestrogen so as I understand it that leaves me with the implant, IUS (merina?) and IUD (copper coil?). When not on the pill I get horrendous periods so I'm worried about what the alternative contraception may do to my body! I've also read some real horror stories about some contraception, most recently a woman who's coil got lost inside her body and she nearly had to have a hysterectomy.

I'm not after magic answers but I'd like to know a bit more about other people's experiences and also whether any of the above might be a better fit for me...just to get a bit of an idea before I see the doctor next week (and he tries to sell me the coil for his £70 backhander).

[happymumof4crazykids]

I can't have any hormonal contraception so I was left with the copper coil. It was horrid, my periods were a lot heavier and more painful. I had it taken out and my OH had a vasectomy as we don't want anymore children. My sister has the mirena and hers are practically non existent.
A colleague also has the mirena and she has seen a great improvement in her heavy painful periods. Same as everything though until you try it for yourself you don't know how your body will react.

[ASqueakingInTheShrubbery]

I get horrendous periods when not on contraception - passing out and unable to function from the pain. I've had implants for years now. I hardly ever have a period, and when I do, it's light, virtually pain-free, and only lasts a couple of days. It hasn't affected my weight or mood. I had it out to TTC, got pregnant within a fortnight, and had another one in 8 weeks after the baby was born. I'm not sure if it has squashed my sex drive or if that's just life/stresss/juggling work and small child/getting older and to be expected, but overall I'm very happy with it.

[HipsterAssassin]

I have the copper coil and love it! No change in period heaviness.

disclaimer I've never had heavy periods.

[BoobleMcB]

Implant works amazingly for us

[Graphista]

I'm on mini pill. I'm not comfortable with the idea of the coil because as far as I'm concerned it's not contraception (it doesn't prevent conception it prevents implantation of an already fertilised egg).

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I was having horrendous periods, flooding, massive clots etc. Unable to have oestrogen too, got mirena coil fab, barely need a tampon for periods.

[abigailgabble]

i've just had the copper coil put in post birth. not much to report on yet (I am still EBF). i've never had bad periods though - hoping that doesn't change i can't do hormones at all so it's this, condoms, or pull and pray (how we came to have our little angel in the first place )

[pudding21]

I had the Mirena coil a about 18 months ago. periods have almost stopped (one day of spotting) but I have been plagued with thrush having managed to get the the age of 38 with never having thrush once.

I am tempted to get it removed and go for a diaphragm......

[thoroughlymodernmilly]

After a decade of condoms, I went for cerazette about 4 months ago- but the bloating and ridiculous hair loss (worse than after having the children!) means I've got an appointment for the copper coil to be fitted on Thursday. I'm kind of terrified. Too fat (size 16) for anything but progesterone only pills, and cerazette really made my weight loss stop in it's tracks. Found it fine mood-wise, though.
We're all different. But wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of quiz where you could cross-reference the side effects you have experienced, and find out what other women who had those side effects too ultimately found to work for them?

[NC4now]

Another vote for Mirena. I had a tough time with fitting but now it's in it's a dream.

[Borntoflyinfirst]

I've had my copper coil
In since the birth of my 3rd child 7 years ago. Never had a problem with heavy bleeding or any more pain than in the past. I do, however, wish there was some way of controlling my pmt that I could use as left 'natural' by not using hormonal contraceptives it's not brilliant.

[Bananamama1213]

I recently had the contraception question.. I asked my nurse for leaflets on all the ones I was considering.

I decided on the implant and booked my appointment. Started feeling a little off the day after I booked it - turns out I was pregnant haha!

That poor receptionist didn't know how do ask "are you keeping the baby" when I phoned up to cancel and book an appointment with the midwife instead!

I liked the sound of the implant because it can be removed whenever and it only lasts 3 years.

We had spent 4 months deciding we wanted to have a baby, then decided we would wait but turns out I was already pregnant so I'll be getting the implant after baby is here, the mini pill doesn't work for me anymore.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Thanks for telling me about your experiences. It's very helpful. I think I'm leaning towards the implant although I'm now not so reluctant to try out the coil. My hesitation at using the coil is hearing about those people who struggle to get it removed and that terrifies me!

Appointment is later today so I will ask about the implant....probably.

[Cordillera]

I use a diaphragm, love it. But you do have to be scrupulous using it correctly as it can be less effective. I also have a fertility app to track when I'm most fertile, I feel confident enough with that to not use any contraception half the month.

[WestYorkshireGirl]

Another fan of diaphragm here - been using it 20 years since I was 19 and much prefer it to the pill

[BlueberryMarshmallow]

I gave mirena a go after 10 years of various side effects from the pill. It didn't agree with me at all I was always bloated and could feel it from day 1. It didn't hurt me getting fitted or when removed (I did that myself in a fit of rage when they couldn't fit me in for 2 weeks ) so I would say give it a go even though it didn't work out for me.

We use condoms now and I'm amazed how it feels to be hormone free. I didn't realise how many things that I thought were just me were in fact the hormones. My confidence and energy have sky rocketed!

[Sheusedtobesomeonelse]

I used the Nuvaring for 8 years before getting my tubes tied last winter, it was really good for me and i'm always surprised on threads like these no-one suggests it - so I always take it upon myself to bang on about it
I didn't fancy a coil, have heard many stories of people i know not getting on with it at all - Mirena is touted at everyone where i live and my gynae took some convincing that i really didn't want it - so to start with it was sort of a compromise in no longer wanting the pill and not wanting a coil fitted and it was fab!

[dementedpixie]

Nuvaring isn't an option if op can't have oestrogen. I have the mirena. It has been great but unfortunately as the strings have gone awol I need to get it back out under general anaesthetic. It expired in march and I'm still waiting on my appointment for removal

[LilaoftheGreenwood]

I'd hesitate to actively recommend this, but try googling Fertility Awareness Method and see what you think. Involves taking temperatures each day, looking at mucus etc - I use an app to track it all. We avoid sex or use condoms around the time I'm ovulating. It has worked without a problem for two years. And I'm a different person off hormonal contraception, I used to exist in a sort of fog of mild depression which lifted pretty much within a month of coming off the pill.

The reason I'd hesitate to recommend is that I've never been pregnant or tried to be, so for all I know I might be completely sterile! It also obviously won't do anything for bad periods - although you might find you no longer have bad ones, mine were really heavy and painful when I was young pre-contraception but are fine now.

[Sheusedtobesomeonelse]

oops, sorry, didnt see the oestrogen point - sort of defeats my point

[sundayfeeling]

I have a copper coil and love it. My period was a bit longer for a couple of months after I had it fitted but after that it's settled to my normal pattern (I never had heavy periods before).
I wouldn't go back on any kind of hormonal contraception if you paid me! It completely killed my libido and I'm quite cross when I think about all those wasted years. I haven't been on it for 8 years now and the change in my sex drive has been massive.

[ForgiveMeFatherForIHaveGinned]

I've had the implant for nearly a year now and love it! Haven't had a period apart from a few days of spotting just after it was put in. I was on the combined pill before which did suit but I wanted something that didn't allow for human error (too many missed pills!)

It might be coincidental but I've also lost 10 pounds since changing from the pill to the implant which is an added bonus!

[farfallarocks]

If you want another baby soon then how about a bit of withdrawal? We have been using that for 2 years with no issues and it's quite
Fun