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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you all what contraception you use?

236 replies

Slightlypanicked · 12/08/2016 19:07

Haven't used any contraception for years, between being pregnant and breastfeeding both dc's I've just used condoms.
Went to the clinic today and the nurse was very pushy about me having a coil fitted and how with new research its safer and that the pill really increases risks of blood clots and depression etc.
I opted for the pill for now until I make up my mind on the coil. She gave me a none branded version of yasmin as I also suffer with adult acne and was hoping the pill would help that too.
Is the pill really that dangerous?

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 16/08/2016 16:22

I can't won't use hormone based contraceptives because of awful migraines, not even the mini pill suits. I feel faint at the thought of coils/implants and don't like the sound of the injection as it's not able to be reversed.

DH was going for the snip, but he's had a few "issues" down there over the years and he's not keen on his odds of being pain free after, which is fair enough.

So, we decided to use a combination of condoms and natural family planning - he uses condoms every time, and we avoid PIV at my most fertile times. I use ebay cheapy ovulation sticks but I know my cycle well enough to tell but the sticks are a useful back up. Works for us. Plus I absolutely detest the feeling after sex without a condom, all that leaking and gushing at inappropriate times. Shudder.

WigelsPigels · 16/08/2016 16:25

Just had my 4th copper coil fitted. DS2 12 weeks old. They gave me a 10 year one this time. Hormones does not work with me. Tried it all.

hellsbellsmelons · 16/08/2016 16:27

They couldn't fit the coil for me.
They tried and tried but no luck.
But I'd not given birth naturally which was obvious to them.
So I go the implant.
Love it.
No periods.
Bit of weight gain though which is proving very very hard to shift.

I was on the pill for years but his that 'age' where they wouldn't give it to me anymore.
Mini-pill had me bleeding all the time.
Implant - fabulous!

DrDreReturns · 16/08/2016 16:28

I had a vasectomy seven years ago.

GeorgiePeachie · 16/08/2016 16:36

Am on the pill and have been for donkey's years.
Have a strict condoms policy with new partners though so I keep the fact that I'm on the pill really quiet and take it at work so that they can't try and get out of wearing condoms too early.
I don't mind condoms, as long as they're not ribbed or too lubed or too fancy. Just plain thin is the best.

bananafish81 · 16/08/2016 16:39

OP appreciate you want to avoid hormones, but re acne certain pills can often clear up acne - my skin was perfect on the pill, since coming off it my skin has gone berserk. Dianette in particular is often prescribed for hormonal acne

Madmama10 · 16/08/2016 16:39

Combined pill except when bf when I was on mini pill then I tried injection both made my slow libido worse and moods terrible. Not good at remembering to take pill but been lucky. Next FU I'll suggest getting sterilised. I'm not a fan of the coil. My friend had hers fitted and now has dds3! She has now been sterilised.

DawheadAwgusEeentock · 16/08/2016 16:41

I was on a pill called Microlite for over 10 years. Never had any side effects whatsoever. Came off it this year and menstrual cycle has returned to normal very quickly (unfortunately).

ItShouldHaveBeenJess · 16/08/2016 16:43

None. Don't need it Sad And I think you are being goady, OP (flounces off.....)

PopFizz · 16/08/2016 16:44

I use a mirena and love it. On my second one. No side effects really, other than slight increase in boob pain, and far less periods. I also had two c sections so they thought insertion would be tricky (past surgery on cervix) but with a good gp it was fine.

I had the depo when I was 19. Never recommend it and would never have it again. I had no signs of pcos until I had it. There are many links out there. It's a horrible contraception.

cityrat79 · 16/08/2016 16:47

Another big fan of the diaphragm here.

I hated anything hormonal as if I felt upset or angry, I was never 100% sure if I genuinely felt like that for good reason, or if it was contraceptive side effects. I also don't like tampering with my body unnecessarily - our hormones have evolved to keep us healthy, and I just don't like messing with it.

Condoms are a faff in the heat of the moment.

Diaphragm has worked brilliantly for us. We don't bother with spermicide (according to several studies, it's not necessarily beneficial). We have had two (planned) pregnancies within a month of stopping using the diaphragm, so obviously no effect on fertility once it's removed.

I think it is probably due for a resurgence in popularity - when used properly, it's as effective as condoms in preventing pregnancy, and very environmentally friendly!

Zhabr · 16/08/2016 16:55

On my second Mirena. 100% protection . Also no periods or period pain. No side effects at all.

TheEagle · 16/08/2016 17:00

I used 3 children under 19 months as 100% effective contraception Smile

I used the Pill for most of my 20s and I hated its side effects. I'm totally done with hormonal contraception so no implants or coils for me.

We use NFP and condoms. DH will probably get the snip next year.

Original poster
Slightlypanicked · 16/08/2016 17:00

Trying to avoid hormones because of migraines also so I think there's probably a few reasons I should avoid if possible but I did ask about a pill to help with the acne if I'm going to take one and the one given to me isn't dinette but will help with it. Just can't decide if I should take it or not.
Sorry but I have no idea what a diaphragm is.. off to Google.

OP posts:
TheEagle · 16/08/2016 17:02

By the way, I've also felt pressured by HCPs into getting a Mirena. I've stated many times that I won't be choosing hormonal contraception for the rest of my fertile life but it keeps being suggested to me Confused

BengalCatMum · 16/08/2016 17:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bananafish81 · 16/08/2016 17:38

I love reading threads like this - real eye opener. Obv there's plenty of friends whose contraceptive choices I have no idea about, but my close girlfriends pretty much all universally had the pill in our 20s, with quite a few having switched to the Mirena in recent years. Some have the depo or implant, but it's mainly pill or Mirena.

It's funny looking back on it - I never thought about condoms as contraception, I always thought of them as for protection against STIs with new (or casual) partners. Remember discussing with friends about how serious a relationship was getting if you got to the 'both going off to the clinic to get tested so you could ditch the condoms' stage.

itstimeforchange · 16/08/2016 17:46

Mirena works wonders for me. I get some days where I feel horribly queasy but otherwise no bad side effects, and I can usually sleep that one off. Well, aside from the best one - no periods Grin

I know some people have terrible trouble with it so I guess it's just one of those things you have to try. I have all sorts of other health problems so I'm amazed but grateful for it, and for not having to think about contraception. Mentally that is v important for me.

Cleanermaidcook · 16/08/2016 17:48

I got pregnant with the mirena, dp had the snip after Grin

itstimeforchange · 16/08/2016 17:49

Also interesting to read the comments about mirena and acne. I thought I'd had more spots over the last year or so (about as long as I've had mirena) but that I was just imagining it. However I can definitely put up with it in comparison to having more kids...!

Wallywobbles · 16/08/2016 17:53

Copper coil. I didn't want hormones. Works for us. Takes a bit of time for periods to settle down. No hassle for me.

TheSockGoblin · 16/08/2016 17:58

'D' P being a total bastard has been helping this week Hmm

In seriousness though anything hormonal sends me a bit odd. I stick to condoms or being partners with someone who has had a vasectomy (though the last one not for much longer!).

Mari50 · 16/08/2016 18:15

I took the combined pill for most of my 20's and 30's. Will probably try to dissuade my daughter from ever using hormonal contraception because while it worked well for me in stopping pregnancy I suffered hair loss and cystic acne. I have no solid proof that they were linked but i no longer have hair loss and I haven't used contraception for 8 years. The acne was fixed with roaccutane (not for the faint hearted I guess)
I love not using any hormonal contraception, my cycle is so predictable and I enjoy knowing my body is functioning how it's meant to.

Thissideof40 · 16/08/2016 18:17

I have a mirena too and think it's brilliant. Hardly any periods and don't have to worry about remembering to take the pill. I had an implant after having DS but couldn't get on with it. I had periods lasting 3 weeks and then it would be back after a week off so had to have it removed.

buttertoffee · 16/08/2016 18:25

condoms. tried pill and Milena but had endless side effects. DP is refusing the snip so we settled for condoms. one incident though which required the MAP.