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Original poster

What contraception do you use?

18 replies

N12345625 · 31/07/2023 18:04

I have had the combined pill in the past, and now have had the mirena coil for 1 year.
I haven't had any major side effects when I have had the mirena coil but questioning if I should use non-hormonal methods.
I have looked at using the natural cycles app, but seen it costs £70 for annual membership which is quite a lot of money (especially if it isn't very effective).
What do people use? Have you had any side effects from hormonal methods?
Has anyone used the app and it has worked well/ hasn't worked and you fell pregnant.
I have two children who are 2 and 4, and may have another in the next couple of years (but not fully decided).
Thank you in advance!!

OP posts:
Moredarkchocolateplease · 31/07/2023 18:12

Why would you change if what you use now is working?

Original poster
N12345625 · 31/07/2023 18:24

I have had random pelvic cramps, headaches, bloating, tiredness over the past year. I am not sure if it is the coil or another cause, hence why I wanted to maybe try a non-hormonal method of contraception.

OP posts:
twinkletoesimnot · 31/07/2023 18:48

I use the copper coil.
Suits me well.

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Women's health
Twitch45 · 31/07/2023 19:00

Condoms. We've been using them since DS1 was born 13 years ago and never had any problems. Hormonal contraception kills my sex drive!

gertrudemortimer · 31/07/2023 20:19

I've had side effects from the implant and pills. I've been on the evra patch for the last 3 years and so far no side effects. Mood is stable no bouts of depression or weight gain like I had with the other forms of contraception. The only annoying thing is when I'm on holiday and I have to put the patch somewhere hidden by swimwear. You put a patch on every week for three weeks then have a week off for your period. If you don't want your period you put another patch on.

ScarletWitchM · 31/07/2023 20:23

implant for the past 13 years (change it every 3 years) no side effects from it. No longer have periods and has been the most effective contraceptive method I’ve ever had. Previously had the Pill and the Depo (got pregnant 4 times) and this has been 100% effective for me personally

mummy21blueeyed · 31/07/2023 20:25

Injection, every 3 months. I can’t commit to long term like the coil it creeps me out and I never remember the pill.

TwistedSisters · 31/07/2023 20:36

I have used Natural Cycles for several years and it has worked for me - not using at the moment as i'm pregnant (which was planned btw!)

I would say that I have very regular cycles and I believe it works more effectively if that's the case as it's easier for the app to predict your fertile window. It also takes a couple of months for the app to 'get to know you' so expect a lot of red days to start with.

Perhaps also best for people for whom an unplanned pregnancy wouldn't be a disaster as was the case for us.

But yes I found it very effective and it worked very well....I will be using it again after this pregnancy.

Ireallywantsomechips · 31/07/2023 20:45

Condoms, it took me years to find a pill that worked for me and then after DD1 my body hated it. I didn’t want anything more “permanent” incase my body hated that too. My husband has a vasectomy booked too

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 31/07/2023 20:52

I use the patch. I had constant bleeding with the injection. Horrific hormone problems with the implant. Fell pregnant on mini pill twice. I really like the patch, I tend to use one a week for a whole box (9 patches) then have a break week rather than having a period every 4 weeks, I don't get pmt anymore, and only have to think about it once a week.

Augustusgloooop · 31/07/2023 20:55

I don’t think you need to pay for natural cycles, I use the flo app but to track fertility and it’s free. You really just need to avoid the week you’re ovulating, but it’s not very effective if you don’t have very regular cycles! I had to come off the pill because of migraines and before we were ttc we used nothing when I was sure I wasn’t fertile (on period or straight after or after ovulating) or condoms if I wasn’t sure.

immy324 · 31/07/2023 20:56

@YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake
You sound like me, as I also had awful bleeding on the implant and ius. I'm also on the patch and love it

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 20:56

Nothing at the moment but I've had copper coils for years.

I have very short light periods though, so it just made them normal. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with heavy periods to begin with.

Augustusgloooop · 31/07/2023 20:56

That was meant to read that, although you do have to pay for natural cycles you don’t have to use that specific app as there are others that are free.

Angelselevenx · 31/07/2023 20:59

I had the patch, worked well for me for me for 3 years and absolutely no side effects. I came off in December to TTC and my cycles went back to normal in January.

ASGIRC · 31/07/2023 20:59

Nothing at the moment, as Im pregnant, but I was on Aidulan for over 20 years. Zero side effects for me, and if it wasnt for trying to get pregnant, I would still be on it!

Bonfire23 · 31/07/2023 21:33

Copper coil, on my third one

barbieseyebrows · 31/07/2023 21:44

Copper coil forever (aside from planned babies)

I got my copper coil inserted a few weeks after my last baby was born and they put a 10 year one in for me (I was 31 at the time)

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