Does anyone just use condoms?

[AirRaidShelter]

I don't want a coil inserted because I'm a wimp and not keen on the pill as it took me along time to regain periods when i stopped it. Would you just use condoms? Or too risky?

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If you've found this page in search of condoms that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best condoms useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

I used condoms for a very long time, never got pregnant. Only went on the pill as we don't like them.

I used them for years. And every single time I've had unprotected sex I've got pregnant, so I think that means they were very effective

Like others, we used condoms only for years before having children (and after, until my husband had a vasectomy). Always Durex. No scares.

We use only condoms since our 4th unplanned pregnancy 10 years ago. The first was while using combined pill, second was from the one time we didn't use a condom (we were ok with having child 2 around then so it didn't matter), 3rd was a burst condom and a failed morning after pill, final pregnancy was the mirena coil. That time the doctors suggested hormonal contraception just doesn't work on me, so we would need either a permanent solution or condoms. I couldn't face the ablation or vasectomyooption so it's just been condoms ever since. We don't like them, but there doesn't seem a better option.

We did for a while but stopped when TTC and got pregnant quickly both times. Don't use them now because neither of us really like them. I'm on the pill.

I have for all of my fertile life apart from two years in the pill which I hated. Got pregnant immediately when tried three times and never had a ‘mistake ‘.

I have used them for 30 years. Whenever I stopped to try for a baby, I got pregnant at the first attempt (3 times, once late 30s and twice early 40s) so would class myself as super fertile. As a pp said, underrated in my view.

I did for around 8 years but switched to a coil a year ago - would never go back now

We have for years. I had bad side effects with every contraception I tried and dh won't get a vasectomy.

I think they are absolutely fine as a contraception although I must confess to not actually using them at present, but relying on withdrawal method. I am quite old though, and not very fertile so it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

I have conceived a few times using condoms - I cannot for the life of me see what went wrong, no obviously slips/splits and no close naked contact until condom was on. I don't trust them anymore so use them as a back up to the POP (which incidentally I have also conceived on when using it alone)

Yes only use them and always have been fine.

We do.

Yes, over 20 years here. No problems.

Didn't use them 3 times (on purpose), pregnant every time.

So they must work well!

Yes used them for 14 years and nothing else - no problems. Always Durex so not sure about other brands. Stopped a couple of months back when I got a coil fitted (took 14 year to pluck up the courage to try another form of contraception but no problem with coil so far!)

Yes, for many years and never had an issue.

I tried the pill at 19 and hated it, there's no way I'm having a coil so condoms are the only thing left.

Pregnancy would be an absolutely disaster for me, so I choose to use double contraception despite being infertile.

The failure rate is very low when used perfectly though. Just the infinitesimal risk isn’t for me!

Yes, for around 20 years. Two children were planned and conceived within months. Never fancied trying hormonal methods or coil and DH is dithering about the snip. Quite fancy the cap but no actual issues with condoms to I suppose why change? We’ve only ever used Durex. Be aware their website (some of their buying bulk offers are very good) says discrete packaging but does have Durex in the return address

We've used them for 6 years now, I got fed up with the pill and wanted a break. We got pregnant straight away with both of our children so we are clearly fertile. When I went to the doctors for something else he asked me about contraception as he could see I'd stopped taking the pill, when I replied "we use condoms" he gave me a lecture about how I'd be back in less than a year pregnant, well yes indeed I was, with a planned pregnancy!

Yes, happily for the last 7 years. Having semen inside of me makes me feel ick. I'll use any brand with the kite mark

We do. No worries at all. I'd get the MAP if ever one split but it never has.

We did for years but however well they are used they are not as effective as some other methods . If it wouldn't be disaster to fall pregnant then they are a good method particularly if you have regular periods and are happy to avoid sex at ovulating time

I've only ever used condoms. Never been on hormonal contraceptives. Been with my husband 15 yrs and it's never been a problem. And previous relationships prior to that.

Yes. I've used hormonal contraception when younger, but don't particularly like it. Condoms have worked perfectly for us.

If I got pregnant now though, it wouldn't be the end of the world (in fact I'd be secretly delighted, but that would be my heart talking rather than my head).

We do! Hormonal contraception messes with me and I turn into a raging cow. DH prefers condoms to raging cow wife 😂 as others have said when we wanted to conceive we managed in the first month