To ask you all what form of contraception I should use??

[B4Beatrice]

I am 23, and have one DD. Me and DP have decided that we defiantly don't want another baby until DD is at school. We have our own business that is just starting to be at the stage where it can run it self, so we would like to do some traveling with DD and just generally enjoy her until she has to go to school .

Anyway, have been using condoms and as much as I love the fact that there is no mess , neither of us really like them.

I am always battleing to stay at a weight I am happy with so don't really want to go back on the pill.

Also, even though I have never been diagnosed, I do think some times I borderline as depressed. I can get quite down for a few days and get a bit snappy, and I heard that the Mirena can sometimes make theses symptoms more profound.

Don't really have heavy periods and they are pretty short, but I can get hedaches and stomach cramps when I am on.

Also I had terrible (dangerous) pre-eclampsia that become very bad straight after DD was born. Was in high dependency for two days and had to have the drug that stops and re starts your heart as it is injected. So am a bit worried about anything that can induce high blood pressure.

Anyway, I know this a bit personal but I really don't know where to go with this??

I don't know about side effect re: blood pressure and depression but I currently use the contraceptive patch (Evra) and find it fantastic.

Don't have to remember to take it every day (just change it weekly), weight gain isn't a reported side effect, fertility returns when you take it off.

Could've written this OP myself,

old-style IUD?

Vasectomy for DP. The only one without medical side effects for you.

Copper coil - no hormones to worry about

Implants are reliable and can be removed if the side effects are unacceptable.

Oh, or diaphragm of course.

Like your style Nijinsky (and your name) but I am only 23 and DP is only 27 so really couldn't go down that route. We may want another child but just not for a while (possibly when DD sleeps through the night in her own bed- DD is nearly two !)

Nothing we are ttc without success at the moment, though we do have a beautiful dd aged 4

I had the implanon implant and it was vile, sent me a bit crazy! I have known about 5 women who've had them put in then taken straight out again because of the side effects.

When I had mine taken out I got a lovely lecture from the family planning clinic doctor about how they cost £100 each and I really should have thought more about having it put in.

So, for those reasons I would always recommend trying the patch before the implant.

Oh, just remembered, I moved Drs not long after I had the implant put in and my new surgery couldn't remove it. I had to put up with the side effects for 2 months before my family planning appt came round to remove it.

I was thinking copper coil for myself, as I can't have anything with oestrogen in, and I don't want to run the risk of putting on weight or suffering from depression.

I have heard that the copper coil gives you heavier periods but that is something I am willing to live with!

I have implanon and did have some vile side effects including dizziness so bad I was given a two week coursework extension (I couldn't be vertical for long periods) but I have stuck it out and, after about eight months, it's been well worth it. It's the most infallible contraceptive there is (according to my nurse) which is what decided DP and I. A close friend recommended the implant (she had minor side effects) and her father, a GP, recommended it to her - as an early adopter she is on her second.

I found that periods with the copper IUD were heavier (though nothing too awful) but did tend to drag on a bit, therefore inhibiting our love life anyway. Definitely 10 days or so. My natural period is much shorter. However, on the whole I was very happy with it and kept it in for two years longer than I should have done!

I now use Persona - the natural family planning device, plus condoms. Buy Persona online for better prices if you go down this route.

the copper coil, apart from it coming out it was the best contraception i have used (apart from dp snip ofcourse but you want more children)

I have used the diaphragm very successfully for around 30 years now! All pregnancies were very much planned, no hormones to bugger up your system. Also, like condoms, when you want to ttc, you can do so straight away. Some people claim they take away the 'spontaneity' but, personally, I never found that to be the case. I just used to insert it at bedtime. You must make sure that you use spermicide with it though, but again, I never found it a problem.

Progesterone injections, or mini-pill?

I have a mirena and think it's fab. No noticeable PMT, slight spotting but no periods, and does for up to 5 years. Love not having to remember a pill every day.

I would avoid the injections, is not suitable for long term use (not good for your bones) and can take ages for fertility to return.

Mini pill may suit? ones like cerazette can be taken within 12 hrs, the older ones were 'late' if you were 2-3 hrs late taking them.

Maybe get an appt at a family planning clinic as they can look at your options with you and tend to be much better than most GPs.

If you don't want hormones sounds like copper coil would be good bet.

Mirena has the same hormones as implant, injections and progesterone only pill. I have one and love it but its not for everyone.

We used the diaphraphm but found it hard to be spontaenous ever. Could use it / condoms in conjunction with NFP (where you take temps and check moucus etc)

I have copper coil and it does give me heavier and longer periods but is otherwise great. I didn't want hormones because of weight gain. I have tried in the past, pill, implant, condoms, injection and copper coil is by far my favourite.