Non-hormonal contraception options?

[penguinwithasuitcase]

I've been on some form of hormonal contraception pretty much non stop since I was 15 (I'm now 34) and have recently started to wonder if some of the health issues I've had (hair loss, cysts etc.) might be connected to it.

I'd like to come off hormones for a while –but I'm in a committed relationship and I don't want kids, soI really need it to be effective.

The copper IUD is a no-go for me (had it for a while and it really didn't suit me), and I'd rather not go down the condom route if possible.

I'm thinking about combining something like Natural Cycles (the fertility tracking app) with a cervical cap / spermicide –but what other options are worth considering?

Vasectomy for your partner.

Condoms, female condoms, copper coil or diaphragm

@Dunnowhatalltheacronymsmean

Vasectomy for your partner.

We may get there at some point, but looking at non-invasive and non-permanent options first.

I'm aware of the different options out there, was more looking for people's real-life experiences to help guide me a bit (most of my friends are either trying for kids or using hormonal methods)

Condoms

This is the cap the NHS sex clinics now give out - I got mine free from one of them.

Caya Diaphragm and Natural Contraceptive Gel Pack with FREE Applicator www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B50WWT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WNBKKP5MBZJJ2F72W568?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@Bagelsandbrie I've just been looking at these - never heard of them before!

Do you find it easy enough to use (if you don't mind me asking)?

Yeah sorry that wasn't very helpful of me. I'm interested to hear non-hormonal alternatives to copper coil which I have horrendous bleeding on. I wanted to get a diaphragm fitted but couldn't find a GP/sexual health clinic that actually did them anymore.

Why not condoms? We've been using them for over a decade and no issues

DH wears condoms. I came off the pill when we started trying for DC1 and never went back on it. That was about six years ago and condoms have worked fine for us ever since. I much prefer it tbh, far less mess to clean up!

@Dunnowhatalltheacronymsmean no worries - it's a perfectly fair suggestion, we're just not at that stage yet.

And I had exactly the same with the copper coil! What you're talking about is (apparently) what this Caya diaphragm is designed for - it's supposed to be 'one size fits most', I think.

@ChimChimeny –nothing objectively wrong with condoms, just not for us. A full explanation of our reasons would probably be a little explicit for this forum

Condoms are the best choice from a women's health pov.

IME, there's no such thing as non-hormonal bullet-proof contraception. It was an ongoing problem with XH. He didn't want any more children than we already had (though I'd have gladly had another), but I didn't want to go back to hormonal contraception (I'd done my bit by then), and he hated condoms. In the end, no PIV was the only way to ensure no pregnancy, and it led to trouble of a different kind.

If your partner is happy to use condoms and you both always use them properly and carefully, though, you should be reasonably safe.

We used a diaphragm for years but then our local health clinic stopped fitting them as the nurse retired and there wasn't the demand. Was a great option though we too don't like using anything hormonal

@Plantsandpuddlesuits

We used a diaphragm for years but then our local health clinic stopped fitting them as the nurse retired and there wasn't the demand. Was a great option though we too don't like using anything hormonal

It's so interesting how they seemed to go 'out of fashion' –seems like lots of people are keen to go back to non-hormonal methods and try diaphragms, but can't get access...

Do you need to get re-fitted regularly with a normal diaphragm, then?

This seems to be another benefit of this Caya one... but I don't know if I'd feel confident using it without a health professional at least taking a look!

@maryxz there is no bullet proof hormonal contraception either though.

Would you consider progesterone only contraception? My (limited) understanding is that the side effects in the combined pill are often because of the oestrogen, although you obviously get different potential issues with all contraception. Why the pill changes everything is a cracking read if you want more insight to the effects of different hormonal contraception and why

@Sparkai I'll check the book out, thank you! I'm definitely not as well-informed on the ins and outs of hormones as I could be.

And yes - I switched from combined to progesterone-only a couple of years ago, partly because I also had heard most of the issues were because of the oestrogen in the combined pill.

But some new / different side effects seem to have cropped up, and after such a long time taking one thing or another, I'd really like to go entirely hormone-free at least for a while.

It's been a few years but from what I can remember you need to get refitted if you gain or lose more than 7pounds and if you give birth or have a miscarriage.

[quote penguinwithasuitcase]@Sparkai I'll check the book out, thank you! I'm definitely not as well-informed on the ins and outs of hormones as I could be.

And yes - I switched from combined to progesterone-only a couple of years ago, partly because I also had heard most of the issues were because of the oestrogen in the combined pill.

But some new / different side effects seem to have cropped up, and after such a long time taking one thing or another, I'd really like to go entirely hormone-free at least for a while.[/quote]
I can completely sympathise with the wish to go hormone free. I did the same as you and now use the minipill, not ideal but I haven't found an alternative that works for me. I'll be following this thread in case anything I haven't considered is mentioned. The book did at least make me feel like I was making a considered choice though. Good luck!