to have got to (almost) 30 and not know what contraception is right for me...

[Jewels234]

Realised this as I stood in sainsburys today crying because they had run out of fishcakes. I have just started a new pill and it is making me ridiculous!

I've been on some form of pill for the best partof 14 years. Nothing hormonal is right for me. I put up with it because I'm never offered anything else.

Is it just me who can't seem to find the right thing?

And agreeing about the pill pushing - I was asked if I wanted it by my GP after both boys and he seemed rather surprised when i said no, it doesn't agree with me and I'd be using condoms, thanks.

Nope me too, can't do hormones as it turns me into more of a bitch. Withdrawal worked for about 10 years until we were ready to have DCs then as soon as we were "done" we decided to try condoms as it was more reliable than withdrawal

Am 29 weeks pg

So after this DC really not sure what to do

I can't get the GP to discuss options with they want me on the coil - preferable the hormone one.

I've did stint of pill and it was fine in late teens early 20's but last time of the same make of pill in late 20 after a break it was horrendous - and the GPs wouldn't listen kept saying everything would settle down - it didn't.

I worry if had issue with hormone coil - which isn't uncommon - they won't take it out. The copper coil was only other option offered and then they said it wasn't suitable as I've had heavy periods in the past.

I'd be happy i someone would take it though with me - but family planning in area only deal with under 25 and GP just keep pushing coils. Doesn't help I know several mothers in area who've got pg despite having coils fitted.

So condoms it is till we change practises when we change area.

talk not take.

I never had any significant problems with the mini pill, pill or the contraceptive implant, so I didn't really think there were any side-effects and took it happily for years. I even evangelised about it. It wasn't until I stopped that I realised how much better I felt. So much so that I will never use hormonal contraception again.

I'm also astounded by the amount of women whose libido is negatively affected by hormonal contraception. It's one way of reducing the risk of an unwanted pregnancy I suppose.

The coil, cap, condoms - there are numerous conventional and safe (as can be) alternatives. There are also less assured methods such as the withdrawal method and natural family planning. They both come with risks, but are nowhere near as risky as most people believe if they are practised properly - and therein lies the problem, of course. The withdrawal method fails so often not because of pre-ejaculate containing sperm but because the man fails to withdraw in time; just as natural family planning often fails because women aren't familiar enough with their own cycle. Whether you are comfortable with that risk is a matter for you and your DP.

You're never offered anything else? Have you asked your gynecologist about different options?

Why would she go to a gynecologist just for contraception advice? What's wrong with the GP or family planning clinic? Seems silly to get a referral to a gynecologist via your GP which could take months anyways when you could just ask the GP upright for advice and get it straight away. I doubt a gynecologist would be impressed by someone just going for contraception advice. Something tells me they have more important things to be getting on with.

Never mind. I've just seen steff is in the US. I guess they get contraception from gynecologists over there? steff contraception in the UK is dealt with by GP's and nurses, not gynecologists. We also don't have gynecologists over here who we visit regularly for check ups - we only go to a gynecologist when there's something wrong. A woman in the UK could go her whole life without seeing a gynecologist if she has no need for one.

Oh yes, the loss of libido. At the height of my hormonally induced depression about the only thing I could find a certain (black) humour in was the fact that I had finally worked out why the pill had a nearly 100% success rate. It was because you didn't actually want to have sex any more once you were taking it!

Definitely worth considering copper coil OP. It does not use hormones, it works mainly because the copper is spermicidal and as a back up it prevents implantation if fertilisation does occur. It is very effective, more so than condoms or caps (no method except abstinence can be 100%). The main drawback is the high likelihood of heavier periods but there are non hormonal medicines which can help these if needed. It can easily be removed if you don't get on with it.