What contraception do you use?

[meladeso]

I've been on the pill for years.
I'd like to (and need to) come off the one I'm on - Rigevidon.
So maybe I could switch to another, but I'd like to consider other options.

I'm waiting on a family planning appointment, but in the meantime, I'd like to hear from anyone about what you use and how you find it?

DH went to talk to the gp about a vasectomy but GP was a bit discouraging and suggested I had more options that were less drastic!

I'm so squeamish at the thought of the coil it makes me feel a bit ill.

@happypotamus has your sex drive etc improved? I'm wondering whether that might be the case for me also.

Is this the same if you do mirena? Or do those hormones also potentially have an impact, does anyone know?

Thanks so much for all the replies- much appreciated.

I seem to have fallen into a black hole of several weeks after my initial post and only just check back to read them properly!

I've read them all and it's really helpful thank you.

@MinnieMountain how come the snip now, if you don't mind my asking?

Cervix and penis will come into contact during intercourse unless particularly undersized !
Also even if undersize, if the vagina is not sufficiently stimulated to extend (female erection)

A 6 month old who doesn't sleep. Highly effective.

i’m on the pill at the moment whilst we decide whether or not to have another baby, but if we decide against it i’ll probably have a coil fitted. my partner talked about having a vasectomy but we’re only in our twenties and don’t know whether we’d change our mind about more kids in the future so we ruled that out.

DH had a vasectomy when DS, the youngest of 2 DC was 2. Before that it was condoms. If DH had been averse to the vasectomy I think I'd have gone for a coil.

We used condoms for years. Nice because no damp patch. I've also used the diaphram years and years ago but it requires too much preplanning do condoms are better.

We're in our 40s and have completed our family but DH was a bit funny about a vasectomy so I tried the copper coil and we really like it. No problem with the strings here.

I was sterilised 11 years ago, when I was 30.

Dh had a vasectomy. Best ever!

Condoms currently. They won't let me take the combined pill and progesterone only stuff does not agree with me. DH has an appointment for the snip in a few months. We went to all appointments together (united front and all that) and there was no issue getting it signed off. The only stumbling block has been scheduling it, DH has a very physical job so will need to take two weeks off afterwards which means he needs to have accrued enough holiday to do that.

We can't wait for it to be over with!

Mirena coil since dc2, condoms before dc1 and between dc.
Coil was fitted a bit too soon after dc2 which caused issues but once that was sorted (under general anaesthetic!) it’s been fine. Basically no period in the last 10 years, hurray!

Mirena coil, DH has no problems with the strings

Mirena coil. Periods went a bit wonky to begin with but they've settled down now. Bit disappointed they didn't go away altogether but they're so light they're hardly worth worrying about. Before I had DS I took the mini pill (cerazette/cerelle). Worked well at the time, no periods but in hindsight it really knocked my libido.

I’ve had the copper coil for about 6 weeks.very happy so far. Period a little bit heavier than normal but not painful. I had it fitted 5 months post partum and didn’t even feel it. It was no more uncomfortable than a smear. I didn’t want to go back onto hormonal contraceptives post dc and we’re not sure enough that family is complete for dh to have a vasectomy.

Copper coil. Brilliant. No failures, no side effects, no complaints, nothing to forget or maintain, no worries.

Copper coil. Was working great then I couldn’t find the threads for a bit and thought it had fallen out. I went back on a pill during that phase and it’s really reminded me why I don’t want hormones anymore. Just got all that sorted out. When it comes out in 9 years time my DH will probably have the snip (I’m 35 now he’s 43)

The coil 'strings' are no reason for a coil to be removed, especially at a man's request!!

They can be trimmed so as not to be evident. [Abusive] Men have been known to pull out coils, and for that reason strings can be cut so theres nothing there to grab!

IUD and I love it. I'm on my 3rd - one prekids, one between DC and one since DC2. We may explore vasectomy if we're sure we're done but I'm in no rush. I love that I never have to think about contraception, that I have no artificial hormones and that my natural cycle isn't suppressed, and also that if I chose I could get it out tomorrow and get pregnant right away. Insertion is a little crampy but other than that it's basically zero impact.

10-year coil. Had a 5-year one but when I went for renewal they now do 10-year copper ones, so now I never need to worry about contraception ever again! The pressing to assess the size of your womb is a bit uncomfortable but putting it in/out was painless.

DH chickened out of the snip when he read about side effects, and tbf he's had some surgery in that area which didn't completely work, so very relieved coil worked for me (mini-pill triggered suicidal depression after dc2, despite being fine with it after dc1)

I'm on the same pill as you. Even though the protection from a combined pill is high, I would also never go without a condom, even in a long-term relationship. So I guess I use two methods.

I find with this pill I tend to get a headache a few days before my period so temptation is to look for alternatives. But I just don't like the idea of anything implanted into my skin, if the hormones go mad I wont be able to take it out. And the coil? Yuck. Also had a friend get pregnant on it (even though they found it WAS fitted correctly).

I've always known I didn't want kids so perhaps would look into getting my tubes tied in the future. So that I don't have to keep pumping myself full of hormones. Still, it's a thought to have surgery.

I hated the coil. I don't think it was fitted properly Cos the 3 weeks I had it in I could feel it all the time almost like a tampon. I went back to the GP and got them to remove it.

Currently on mini pill with no plans for any more children (already have a 14yo and 10yo). Have suggested snip to DH but as we are still only mid thirties he thinks god forbid if anything were to happen to our children he would want more. I think it's a huge decision for someone to just end their fertility permanently so I'm 100% behind him in his decision. We might rethink it in a few years.

My face.

100% effective and no side effects :-)

Currently use condoms. It took me YEARS to figure out that I have a latex allergy so now use latex free ones.

I've tried most types of contraception and so not get in well with hormonal ones.
I've also had the copper coil which was fine for 2 years but I think it moved somehow and had to have it removed by a specialist.