To ask you what contraceptive you use?

[Skinit]

I don't know what to use!

I'm 38 with two DC...I reacted very badly to the pill as a younger woman...tried many kinds over the years and found they made me feel sick...put on weight etc..and hven't used it for about 8 years. I can't ABIDE the thought of a coil or an implant and assume the injection would make me sick like the pill.

After DC2 who is now 3 I went right off sex and so contraception was barely an issue...but now I'm back to myself and don't know what's best.

At the moment we use condoms but neither of us likes them and we had two occasions lst month where we failed to use them.(stupid)

What can I DO? Dh mntioned himself getting the snip but for some reaon I don't like the idea! I don't think he's that keen either.

luck withdrawal, on account of the medical condition known as laziness.

Have been ok for about 8 years using this method. Whenever we were TTC we 'went for it' and conceived first time, both times. So clearly not a fertility issue.

I always know when I am ovulating and and especially careful around this time - sometimes avoiding doing the actual deed IYSWIM.

I have friends who swear by the implant and I might go this route soon as not sure how long our luck can hold out.

MrsTittle Mouse - interesting what you say about the diaphraghm because I had one in my younger days, no probs with it, and a few months ago wanting to stop taking the pill I asked the doc to fit me for one - she completley put me off, said only should have it if Iwas spacing my children (!) or prepared to risk preganncy! . Am thinkin gof maybe going to a clinic to be fitted, since th chance of pg at my age is very remote anyway...

I use a contraceptive patch called Evra. I had ds four years ago next week and I have on the patch since then and never had a bother with it :)

have been on the patch since then* Should really check before I post!

Mirena coil which has made my life much easier. Don' t need to think about it for 5 years now and I have pretty much non existent periods ..bliss !

mirena coil here

Could someone explain how the coil actually works? I am currently pregnant with what I we intend to be our last child but DH is not keen on snip. Can't blame him, I'm not keen on being permanently sterilised either. I hate condoms and I hate the pill. Implant/patch no good either as I really don't want to take hormonal contraception.

Same as you so DH had the snip!

only ever used condoms and really dont fancy the idea of using any of the others, although i don't like condoms and after giving birth its always quite annoying to have to go back to them, but would never get sterilisation either or dh to have vasectomy, so i wonder the same thing as you really but i don't think there is any good method available they all seem to put me off in some way

Diaphragm

I used the pill when I first starting having sex. Femodene - had really bad reaction to it, went all weak down the left side of my body. Then I tried the mini pill and had weird period shows throughout the month so decided the pill wasn't for me.

I love the diaghragm, once you get the knack it's great.

My dd we call her contraceptive girl, wakes up just on cue

The coil is either

Copper: a little copper widget that sits in your cervix and stops eggs implanting.

Pros: no hormones, so good for women that react badly to implants, pills etc (like me)
Cons: can make periods heavier and more crampy

Mirena: a little plastic widget in your cervix that dispenses a minute dose of hormones with same effect

Pros: doesn't make periods so heavy
Cons: some people report bloating, mood swings, other side effects common to hormone type contraception

I have a copper coil. It hurt like crap to install but is blissfully low maintenance and doesn't make me fat and mad have the side effects I get from the Pill.

Copper Coil for me. No hormones which send me a bit crazy. Benn in for about 18 months now and no side effects other than heavier periods and never eve have to think about it. Hooray!

Combo of Natural Family Planning and condoms over my fertile period.

Out of a 31 day cycle, 6 days of bleeding, 4-5 days of no condoms, 5-7 days with condoms, then about 12 days of no condoms once I have ovulated.

It's not 100% clearly, but I have been using sympto-thermal family planning for seven years so am confident I know what I'm doing.

I don't know if I would continue this long-term though, and I'm thinking of a coil.

Re copper coil - are your heavier periods longer or just heavier?

I use the patch. Have never had periods this regular in my life. Spot on 28 days. No PMT. No period pain. No weight gain, no spots, headaches, or even unwanted pregnancies! Implant didn't work for me, couldn't remember if I'd taken the pill everyday.

Mirena , love it, I'm on to my 2nd.

currently pregnant with DC3 so none ATM

However, pill was great for me (Micro Gynon I had)

Ive had the injection and the implant.

I loved the implant and intend to go back to it. DH suggested having the snip but to be honest I want something that will stop my periods as I totally intend to have no more children and dont really see the point. So will probably go for the implant again. Although I would like to have something more long lasting, but havent really looked into it yet.

Been interesting to read the replies on here.

I dont get on with pills, used condoms for years until at a check up for a bad back the doctor asked me about contraception and suggested condoms were unreliable..and happened to be really anti-pill, she said as I had 2x small kids I would be prone to stomach upsets/tiredness which could increase user-error., so after some thought I decided to try a mirena

the first few months were light continuous bleeding, annoying tbh, and a bit of anxiety
after about 6 mths it has settled down I only seem to get a light period every 8weeks or so, but Ive noticed I am a bit more spotty, and somewhat more grumpy
if I think about it too much, the thought of an alien body inside is a bit offputting!!

but...
since it settled in (after about 4mths tbh) sex has been amazing

apparently the mirena coil has between 1/8th and 1/14th the amount of hormones the pill has...as it is directly in the womb it needs far less

Condoms.
I react badly to hormonal contraception, coil made me bleed so its only choice...going to get sterilised at some point.

redexpat your post is exactly what I should have said. Since I started using the patch I know EXACTLY when I will get my period and no side effects I have ever noticed. Best form of contraception I have ever used.

I was on the cileste pill and it was only after 12 years that I realised it had me turned into a moody old bitch. Came off it last November (but am 4 months pregnant now!). Its all good though

I use raw garlic during ovulation (have a very regular cycle)

I wouldn't recommend the mirena coil. I put on a stone in weight in about 3 months, felt psychotic. Then discovered they couldn't find it to get it out. I've now had 8 medical appointments to try and get it removed. Am awaiting the next under general anaesthetic.