To ask you all what contraception you use?

[Slightlypanicked]

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?

[iMogster]

I had been on Microgynon for many many years, only taking breaks for having children. It suited me brilliantly and I liked the flexibility of taking a pack through to next one if I needed. My GP said 'now you're 40 you're too old and should change to the mini pill, POP'

Over the course of a year or so, I tried one after another and they were all awful, periods all the time, mood swings, depression. I'm on Micronor now and it's ok, took 3 months for my body to get used to it. I do get cystic spots on my chin and neck every month due to the hormones. I use condoms as well, just to be sure. I am gluten and lactose intolerant and get frequent bouts of diarrhea which can reduce the effectiveness.

I was put off the implant by what happened to a close friend. After years of no period she had a massive period gushing out. The hospital said all the blood was pooling inside over the years and then finally it all came at once.

[expatinscotland]

'My GP said 'now you're 40 you're too old and should change to the mini pill, POP' '

Sigh! There needs to be a campaign to increase awareness among doctors that this is NOT true unless the patient has a health problem which precludes use of the combined pill. Otherwise, it can be taken till menopause.

Quite a few women do not get on with POP of any sort.

[theconstantinoplegardener]

Carefreeeee - you can get the Caya diaphragm online without a prescription (eg Amazon). It is "one size fits (almost) all" but I was advised by family planning clinic to come in and have the fit checked anyway because in practice it fits only 80% of women. It costs about £40, plus spermicide gel. Alternatively, you can ask your GP to prescribe it for you and then it can be dispensed (by chemist I think), which is much cheaper but your GP may take some persuading as it's fairly new and not all GPs have heard of it.

There are also the traditional fitted diaphragms which come in various sizes. If your GP specialises in sexual health, they may be able to supply and fit one but if not try your local family planning clinic. Diaphragms can be difficult to source because they are a less common form of contraception for some reason, but once you've got one they are pretty low maintenance and easy.

[MeadowHay]

I am on Loestren 20 which is a low dose of the combined contraceptive pill but we also use condoms because I don't like getting covered in ejaculatory fluid (I have sensory quirks due to Asperger's). Loestren is the best thing I've ever taken for my acne so that is why I'm on it, otherwise I would have stayed on the Depo-Provera injections that I had for two years because I liked not having to remember to take a tablet. Both the Depo and the Loestren meant I only had a handful of periods a year and they were fairly light and not much in the way of cramps or sore breasts. Nurses usually not keen for me to be on Loestren as I get occasional migraines but all-in-all I've been on it for nearly 4 years on and off and it never made my migraines worse or more frequent.

The condoms we use are "Skyn" ones, they're non-latex and very thin and about as close to real skin feeling as you can get. I don't notice any difference really but DH does, he prefers not to use condoms but understands why I want to and is happy to go along with it and we've tried various condoms and these are his favourite. As we're both still under 25 we can get them for free from our local Brook sexual health clinic which is a bonus.

[Danceslikeadrunkcat]

I have the coil and love it although i do suffer from anxiety i haven't thought about if it has made this worse until now. Perhaps I should have a chat with my GP

[HelenaDove]

Crookers that sounds like it was a good solution.

[MrsKoala]

I always had an IUD coil pre dc, which i think is different from the Mirena which releases chemicals. Loved it. Then since having dc we use condoms - however, having small children appears to be the most effective contraception yet!

We are happy with condoms and i probably wont bother with another coil as i am old.

[BabooshkaKate]

I have always used condoms and withdrawal and sometimes being reckless towards the end of my cycle with DP because I was too lazy to make an appointment. We have had The Chat and agreed that a baby would be OK if I fell pregnant, but we are not going out of our ways to start a family yet.

Anyway - this was actually an incredible stroke of luck because about a year ago I was told that the headaches I have suffered through since childhood are in fact migraines with aura. One of the first things that the GP asked me was whether I was on the pill as it can increase your chance of having a stroke. So my laziness actually saved me!

[LuluJakey1]

Combined pill. We are rubbish with condoms - see 20 month old DS- but am stopping soon to TTC DC2. I could not face a coil- it makes me squirm when I hear about the fitting.

[DragonsLoveSoup]

Copper coil, had it about 6 months and all has been fine (touch wood!) except slightly heavier periods for the first few days. The fitting wasn't fun but not as bad as it sounds, looking back it's funny to think how much I'd built it up in my head!

Can't do hormonal contraceptives any more due to history of migraines but previously on Cerazette (mini-pill) for 10 years and no periods for about 8 of those. Fabulous while it worked!

[MrsKoala]

Meant to say had my first copper coil at 17 (so way before dc 20 years and 4 coils later). Hurts like fuck to put in, then period style cramps for a day or 2. Heavier periods on the first 2 days. But all in all the best contraception for me. Once in I just forget about it.

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Withdrawal too

I am old now surely

[Shizzlestix]

Mirena. Was sick of sitting in a hot bath with a hot water bottle panting like I was giving birth. I had some stunning cramps in the first few weeks and the fitting was omg, nearly went backwards out of a window. After a year, I'm down to spotting and the occasional clot. I'm not convinced on the ethical dimension. I'd rather take the pill, but I'm too old and fat. Loved Microgynon, it was amazing. Piece of piss to remember it if it's on the bedside table, last thing, plug in phone charger, set alarm, take Pill.....

[Justaboy]

Just a few comments if they are any use.

Both of my ex wives were on the pill and various versions they found that one version seemed to be better than the others not a surprise as if you have to take blood pressure meds you may well find that some are like most drugs the spawn of Satan with side effects so seems some trial and error might be of use.

Both ended up with a coil first one long time ago now, no problems.

However the second one had a copper coil fitted turned out the bloody thing had a fault as she was in pain quite some of the time wanted that damn thing out.

Second replacement one that was done at the doctors and painful as well.

Got fed up and went to have it taken out at a contraception clinic there a very helpful nurse said i don't think this has been done quite the way it should we'll take it out and come back when your at a certain time in your cycle and we'll give you another to try. Lo and behold absolutely painless insertion and use too .

She was very happy with that and in the end it was the best option but there were as seen two times when it was almost knocked on the head due to a fault and problematic insertion rather that the device itself being problematic.

I hear from someone i know that doctors aren't usually as experienced as contraception clinics. One does it rarely the other several times a day so practice makes perfect;-)

HTH.

[HelenaDove]

When i came off the Depo years ago it took nine months for my periods to return.

[Cineraria]

I wanted hormone free contraception as all the women in my family seem to get very noticeable pigmentation problems with hormonal contraception, so I have always used a copper coil. I was really pleased with it as I felt very confident in it and didn't have to think about contraception at all for years at a time.

It was uncomfortable to fit the first time, probably more so as I'd never had children, but not really painful, a bit like pressing a bruise. I did faint on the bus home though, when all the lube came out and I thought I was bleeding heavily!

Removal was fine. I didn't even know she'd done it until she held it up and I screamed as I had a very bad blood and needle phobia, so was quite squeamish about seeing it.

The best thing was knowing my fertility was back to normal the day it was gone and that there should be no delay to conception.

DH was a bit sensitive to the threads so I'd probably have them trimmed if I have one again after we've finished having children, which seems the most likely option.

[Ericaequites]

Lesbianism, but it's a minority taste.

[RoastieToastieReastie]

I wish there were more non hormonal options, the really isn't a huge amount if choice when you take that out. I can't do hormonal methods, they don't work in my body well. I've tried the copper coil and stuck with it for a year until I gave up as I was taking nurofen three weeks out of four for the pain. I'm allergic to latex but have a non latex diaphragm but the spermicide gel irritates my skin so I can't use. Our only option is non latex condoms which dh doesn't get on with and I get anxious about them not working. I'm waiting or the day they bring out some kind of male implant!

[PirateFairy45]

Sex?? What's that?

I seem to remember something from a long long time ago. But, nah... It couldn't be...

[Notasinglefuckwasgiven]

Mirena coil. On my 2nd. First one out after a year because I got pregnant and it was ectopic. Which due to my high pain tolerance I was ignoring until it was critical no problem with this one yet ( 2 years almost ) except one pregnancy scare. Missed period, I still get them, sore breasts, nausea and severe heartburn but test was negative so just a blip. DH won't get snipped as I only have 1 child and he desperately wants to be able to impregnate me if I change my mind ( which I won't ) he isn't dds father ( ex husband is ) and he wants the option if I get broody. I respect his choice. For now.....

[InteriorLulu]

I've had the copper coil in the past but as I'm peri-menopausal my periods were getting really heavy and the doctor suggested Mirena.

I was skeptical about it as I'd heard a lot about the negative effects. But I love it. Periods have all but disappeared and the bonus is that I don't have any cramping at all. It was getting to the point where it felt like being in labour, and I could barely function for the 10 days that my periods lasted.

I had broached the subject of DH having a vasectomy, but that is a subject NEVER TO BE MENTIONED AGAIN .

[BeyondLovesSweetDee]

I think there's no middle ground with mirena, it's either fantastic or the absolute worst thing ever!

[Sheusedtobesomeonelse]

I have just read the whole thread and no one is using Nuvaring? I've been using it since DD2 7 years ago and i love it! No side effects, no pills every day, just one every 3 weeks removing super easy, i always go on about it!

But have an appointment in October to do the same as Crookers, cannot wait to get rid of my tube (only one left now after an advanced ectopic pg 8 years ago) and be done with contraception! No more babies for me so it just seems the best solution all round.