To wonder why the pill is still the most popular contraceptive?

[westernnurse]

With all the other methods out there now like the injection/implant/coils which are all far more reliable than the pill and don't require the user to remember to take a pill every day.

I'm a CASH nurse and it always amazes me how so many women flat out refuse to even try any of the alternative methods. One woman who had been on the pill for a few years but had to stop taking it due to health issues outright refused to try out any of the alternatives because they sounded "horrible" and decided to just stick to condoms.

I think there's a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding these methods and people believe them and this puts people off.

Dazzleu that's a real shame. Contraception prescribing is very well evidenced and there are excellent guidelines for GPs out there.

I can't link to it but if you Google "ukmec" the first result is a document from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health that explains all the contraindications to the different types of contraception. It is a very useful and readable document.

YABU. Progesterone-based contraception really fucks up some people, I cannot use it for side effects. The copper coil does not prevent fertilisation but implantation so some people cannot use it due to reasons of conscience or do not want heavier periods.

Everyone is different I am sick of having these 'options' practically shoved down my throat when I know my own body and what works for me.

My GP recently put me on the pill and she said she was happy to prescribe it till the menopause.

For me I stick with the pill. It doesnt make me bleed or put on weight so im happy with it. Ive only tried the injection once and it was like a bloodbath. I didnt go back for another or let my body get used to the injection becauce its unnecessary when I could just go back on the pill. Im to chicken to try the implant, coil etc they scare me.

YABU

This is the exact reason I don't bother talking to the doctor about contraception because they try and bully me into getting an implant. It is almost as if they're on commission.

I like the pill. I hate the idea of anything being inserted for months on end.

I had the copper coil for a few years . I thought I was quite good with pain but I properly screamed when it was put in. Far more painful than I thought it would be.

Now after 2 Dcs I need to choose some contraception . Tempted to try the pill again (even though it used to give me terrible mood swings ) because I'm scared of the pain.

The pill is just easier than having so etching inserted in your arm or inside you . Condoms have been my method of choice since dc2

Thanks plummyjam - I'll see if I can find it and have a read.

I am happy enough with condoms - I think we both are - but have to admit to being very taken back that no-one was prepare to discuss all my options with me - a well educated 30 year old woman perfectly capable of making choices and evaluating evidence and knowing my own mind, body and lifestyle.

It is almost as if they're on commission.

I have to admit the coli pushing I had made me wonder about that.

The pill does the job perfectly for me. Why should I ever consider changing?

I've been on the pill (apart from a couple of years where I was TTC and then pregnant) for 15 years. It suits me perfectly; I've never had any unwanted or unpleasant side effects. Not only does it stop me getting pregnant, it keeps my skin clear of acne. And I know that if I ever did start having a reaction to it, I could just stop taking it. The idea of having an implant (and everyone I know IRL who had one has hated it) that I would then have to beg a Dr (repeatedly) to remove, scares me. I couldn't have a coil of any type put it as I find internal examinations incredibly difficult (I managed it for necessary things like a smear and a colposcopy/LEEP but couldn't get something 'optional'). All of those reasons, plus being a healthy non smoker in a monogamous relationship, with normal blood pressure, mean the pill is perfect for me. I'm sure there are many women who feel exactly the same as me.

Oh, and my GP has stopped sending me letters about moving to a 'long term contraceptive' after I had a chat with the practice nurse who agreed with me that as a women who knows her own body, with all the right information presented to her, I was in the best position to know what contraceptive choice was best for me.

YABU. Why is it any of your business which contraceptive option women choose? It's pretty much the definition of a "personal decision".

I was on the pill when I was a teenager, but not for contraception. It was to help with my very heavy, and very painful periods. It worked like a charm. When I became sexually active, it worked for that too.

I wouldn't ever have the injection. I know a school friend who got pregnant whilst on the injection. Even 99.9% effective is not 100% effective. She was terrified that it would have awful side effects on her child as she couldn't get the hormones out (obviously).

When I came off the pill I asked my doctor about having the coil, and was told - by three different nurses - that it wasn't an option that they recommended for women who had never given birth, as the insertion was too painful.

Lots of people in long term relationships might prefer to use condoms because it means if they decide to ttc they don't have to wait months for their cycle to stabilise.

Not sure where the begging the doctor to take out the implant comes from though!

Dd may have hers removed and the staff at the brook are fully supportive of her decision. No one is putting up barriers ( no pun intended)

"Are you doing your thesis on this? You certainly aren't looking for a conversation about it."

That's my feeling too, ChippingIn - given that the OP hasn't bothered to come back and engage with, or comment on any of the things people have said.

Frankly it is pretty rude, imo, to ask such a personal question and then disappear with no explanation, whilst people invest time and emotional energy in answering you.

If the OP is doing some sort of study, essay or thesis on this, she could have made that clear at the start of her OP (there's a special section for such questions, isn't there?), and I am sure people would have been just as willing to spend the time answering her.

People on here have reported that they have had to ask their Drs repeatedly to have the implant removed, that Drs have not wanted to because of cost and women have had to go through months of horrible side effects. I could not give up that kind of control over my body.

Sorry. Place marking. I hate hormonal contraception but may have to return to it.

YANBU
I have the copper coil. It took 15 minutes 3 years ago. I've had no side effects at all. And no pregnancy.

I look back at my many years on the pill and see weight gain (just slight I concur) and most importantly the lack of the wonderful roller coaster of monthly hormones.

There is a time at ovulation when motivation and sex drive is the best I can ever imagine it being. Literally "Everything is awesome"

On the pill however, it was just a state of standardness. No fluctuations at all. Which may sound great, but I bloody love mid month hormones. I get shit done and have amazing sex.

ifyourhoppy yes there is a fine line between encouraging you to stick with something and give it a chance if possible, my mirena took 9 months to work and was due for removal before all symptoms suddenly disappeared.

However if you specifically demand removal of a coil or implant the medical staff are obliged to do so.

Outright refusal is not acceptable or allowable on a par with up thread the poster saying her GP insisted in giving her an internal.

That's assault.

If a medical officer refuses to remove a coil or implant they need reporting.

Op where are you? At college?

If this is a university level essay and your survey technique is to ask some people who happen to be on mumsnet on a Tuesday morning without any understanding of age, race, regional and class dynamics, prepare yourself for a shit mark.

If this is a clandestine survey I would like to add that my preferred form of contraception is to only have sex with farmyard animals. Pit that in uour excel spreadsheet and see how that skews the result.

stars

I went to get the mini-pill last week and the doctor told me very nicely that the govt required her to ask me if I had considered longer-term contraception. I had. My twin sister had the implant and had a 6 week period on it before having it removed, and a close friend recently had a complete faff with the mirena coil - the threads vanished, and she had to have a scan to locate it. She then asked to have it removed and the GP forgot all this about the scan, she turned up for the appt and the GP couldn't remove it because the threads weren't reachable. She went the family planning clinic in the end to get it out. Anyway, both these stories put me off, so my GP gave me a leaflet and sent me on my way with a prescription for the mini-pill.

My Dr stopped prescribing the pill to me a few years ago as I had been on it since I was 17 and he said that was too long. I think I was about 28 at the time. There was no talk of alternatives until my 6 week check after having DD a couple of years later where I was offered the pill again but I said I would prefer to let my body settle down after pregnancy.

'My Dr stopped prescribing the pill to me a few years ago as I had been on it since I was 17 and he said that was too long. I think I was about 28 at the time. '

This person needs reporting. Totally incorrect and such an ignorant person should not be practicing.