What's good in contraception for a 43yo

[demotedreally]

I'm 8 years into a copper coil, but noticing that periods are getting heavier and more frequent - every 3 weeks.

So I am thinking it is time for considering something new. I'm open to all options but particularly interested in what will most offset menopause symptoms. Is there a two for 1 deal on this - menopause help and no babies?

Do I need something with oestregen?

Mirena coil, stops periods and is the progesterone element of HRT.
Add in oestrogen gel as needed.

A man who's had the snip.

Another vote for the Mirena coil. I wish I had had one Years ago!

Another vote for the Mirena coil, I've had them since my early 40s (now mid 50s). No periods after the first few months, very little in the way of menopause symptoms.

I'm 51 and take desogestrel mini pill. I've not had a period since I started it six years ago and have no menopause symptoms. When I had my pill review, the nurse said I'll probably sail through menopause and pop out the other side when I stop taking it at 55.

How exactly will that help with menopause symptoms?

I had a mirena coil put in a week ago. I’m 40. It’s been no trouble at all - the insertion process was pretty much pain free beyond two sharp short cramps (I dosed up beforehand) and I’ve had no side effects beyond an occasional low level cramp for the past week. I should have had one years ago. I was so worried about the insertion and terrible cramps afterwards (I have dysmenorrhea so when they said ‘you may have period like pains’ I was thinking vomiting, fainting, diarrhoea type agony, not just the odd little twinge!) but it’s been fine.

Sorry, I just meant from the contraceptive point of view. I'm not there yet with menopause but I came off the pill and asked dp to have the snip as I didn't want to enter the meno with hormones already affected by something.

And that is what I am wondering really. Whether to get dh snipped or whether there is a type of contraception that will improve meno symptoms and therefore kill two birds with one stone.

Do I need progesterone and estrogen or one or the other?

I’ve had the Implanon implant for the last 10 years and in that time I’ve had one very light period. You get a new one every three years and then I just don’t think about it again. I’m 45 and my Dr said I’ll probably have one or two more and then segue into HRT 😁

If you're partner will get the snip then that's even better, then you can get HRT if you need it. Or the Mirena which can act as part of your HRT. That's probably your best two options.

Another vote here for the mirena coil.

Mirena lasts up to two years longer than implanon and people on implanon are warned to use another form of contraceptive as it's not as effective as the Mirena coil. Anecdotally I know quite a few people who have fallen pregnant on implanon, but none on Mirena

The Implanon has a 99.95 success rate - it has the same level of success as having your tubes tied!
For me, I preferred having a small implant in the arm than the mirena into my uterus but people I know seem happy with the mirena (apart from having it removed of course!)

People on Implanon are definitely not told to use another form of contraception - possibly you’re confusing it with something else?

I still get periods on mirena. I am feeling hard done by overall.

Same. I am also still getting periods and bleeding on Mirena and they are infrequent and quite annoying. So it's not guaranteed they will stop.

Vasectomy

Also getting spots. Not sure if it's related but I usually get them with hormonal contraceptives.

I'm the opposite with spots, I always had painful hormonal spots on my jawline before the Mirena, never had one since.

I'm 42 and interested in mirena as a first step towards managing symptoms of peri. For those who are on it, what symptoms has it helped you with? My only possible symptoms so far are low moods, and with no other symptoms, I am not sure the moods are related to peri (I am dealing with work and relationship stuff too).

I used the cap in my 40's as I could not take hormonal contraception. Another pregnancy would have been dangerous for me as my last one was a near-miss for both of us. If your periods are heavy after contraception is removed, ask for a gynaecology referral. Mine were awful due to fibroids and bicornuate uterus, and I was anaemic as a result. I had an endometrial resection and it was life changing.