What contraception in your 30s?

[Lilyjam]

I'm mid 30s and have been off hormonal contraception for about 10 years because of the side effects. Currently in a LTR, using condoms, but have been anxious about getting accidentally pregnant over the past few years. We're living in a tiny flat in inner city London and aren't earning much as I'm doing a PhD. It's affecting our sex life so I'd like to try other contraception again, but not sure what's best?

GP bangs on about the coil, but I'm wary about the hormonal and copper coils for multiple reasons. I'm still undecided about if I want kids but probably won't be in a position to start trying for a few years. I'm not overweight and don't smoke so is the pill still an option? Although does it take a long time for your fertility to return when you stop taking it? (Worried that at age 38+ it might not bounce back) Advice online is so unclear.

I had the copper coil a few times (3 I think).
It made my periods heavier and longer for up to the first 6 months one of the times, I think the others were more like 3-4 months. Periods were also more painful. That said, they weren't unmanageable and I would choose it again over other options.

I was recommended the mirena by a few health care professionals but as I'm a lifelong migraine sufferer, (and have taken the last decade or so to find a medication that helps with them!) I was too fearful of messing with my hormones again to try it.

I had a mirena coil put in last October. I was very unsure about it and tbh the insertion was awful and it hurt for about a month. But since then it's been amazing, I feel totally fine and I have a very very light bleed for 1 day a month. Really glad I had it now

Im a smoker and started taking the pill when I was 16, with zero bad side effects.
I am now 40 and stopped taking it, as Im planning on having a baby and my period came back like clockwork on the day it was supposed to (my normal cycle is slightly longer than the pill cycle, 29/30 days - my period came on the 29th day!) - that is, one month after stopping the pill, the month before I had my withdrawal bleed, as normal.

All of this to say that yes, your fertility can bounce back immediately after you stop taking the pill. But for some people it might take a while (though if it takes longer than 50 days to menstruate, you should see a doctor)

Have you thought about the implant or the injection as well? I would definitely choose those options before I chose a coil of any kind (I have nightmares just thinking about how it gets in there!! LOL)

I was on the pill until just turning 37, came off to TTC and got pregnant first month. Always worked well for me with no side effects.

I regret my Mirena coil- I still have (admittedly very light) periods and now can't adjust the timing of them as I would have on the pill e.g. running two packs together, avoiding holidays etc.

I’ve used mini pill, injection, and mirena over the years. The mirena has been the best of the three. No real negative side effects, and no periods.

Thanks everyone for your experiences. I also used to get terrible ocular migranes on the pill, and was completely void of emotion or feeling. I've been recommended against the injection as it can take up to 6-12 months for your periods get back to normal after you stop (although I was told this about 8 years ago so maybe things have changed).

And yeah that's one of the many things that puts me off @Rayna37. One of my friends with it bleeds randomly every month or so. Part of my PhD involves teaching and I don't fancy suddenly coming on without warning in front of a room of students.

I'm very happy with my implant. This is my second one, came off my first after 4 years, was pregnant a month later. Had the second inserted when baby was 2 months old. No issues whatsoever.

I'm mid 30s. I've just had a mirena removed after a year as didn't get on with it.

In my 20s I loved the implant, getting it in and out I'd prefer to a mirena insertion/removal.

I now prefer condoms; I like the visible evidence that no sperm has been inside me (tmi sorry) and if it ripped I would see immediately and could take the MAP. Didn't mind hormonal in my 20s but after having a baby 3 years ago I'm perfectly happy with condoms ☺️

when used perfectly condoms are excellent. It’s user error that knocks down their efficacy numbers.

Have you done any of the online “what contraception is right for me” type quizzes? The US-based site bedsider is really good.

I did better on the mini-pill than the regular pill emotionally and re: headaches.

For cis/straight/monogamous couples who are definitely done having kids you can’t beat vasectomy… I know you’re not there yet but sometimes it’s helpful to plant the idea early, and reframe the current contraception decision as temporary.