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?

---

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 know people may not agree but maybe a trigger warning in the title?

A trigger warning?!?! The title is entirely clear. Obviously people will be talking abut their experiences using condoms and pregnancies! Why did you click in if it was so upsetting for you?!

Threads like this always make me laugh at people who say “oh the pregnancy was such a surprise! Because we were using contraception!” Have heard this from three of my friends and in EVERY case, they were not using contraception all the time. It’s a joke really!

We do. No scares or anything. I have been put off using hormonal contraception after I had the implant.

It's clear from the title the thread it's about prevention of pregnancy, why would you click on it of you're sensitive about reading about falling pregnant? What else would you think the thread could possibly be about?

Yes 🙋‍♀️

Never had one split or come off. I don’t know why they get such a bad wrap, they are the least faff of any contraception in my experience.

*bad rap

@BlueSkiesLies completely agree. I was amazed when I saw that the failure rate for condoms includes stats from people who say they use them as their method of contraception but then don't actually use them all the time! In what way is that actually using them? 🤯🤯🤯

Magpiefeather Don't worry. I'm in the same position as Maddiemademe (in terms of previous use of condoms and infertility) and I'm not remotely offended. Not least because a thread with a title including the word "condom" is almost certainly going to involve discussion around pregnancy and hyper fertility, the clue is kind of in the question!

I only commented earlier myself because someone was talking about the price of them and I had a valid tip.

I think if one is that easily triggered - and I think the word "condom" serves very well as a trigger warning - it's best to scroll on down past the thread altogether...

And, for those of us who have no idea about what it feels like to struggle with fertility, we subsequently live with the fear of an unplanned pregnancy - so, discussing reliable contraception is actually really important.

I appreciate that it must be difficult to read a thread like this if you have struggled with infertility - but, finding out that you are pregnant at the age of 46 when your youngest of four is in high school, like my pal has just done, is a challenge too.

I'm interested in belt and braces contraception - absolutely no way I want to have another pregnancy. Nope.

Yes. We have done for 15 years!!! I can't take hormonal contraceptives and didn't want a coil.
Suits us.

In order to understand why the failure rates are so high for typical use for condoms, you do need to understand how the stats are formed.
Of 100 heterosexual couples who, when asked the question “what contraception are you using?”, ticked the box marked Condoms: 15-20 will have a pregnancy by the end of the year. But most of those 15 couples will be in that position because they’ve got pissed one Saturday night during the year and thought “oh what the hell!”. Condoms work very well if applied to the penis: rather less well when sitting in bedside table.

I am sorry if my comment about being so fertile offends. I included the comment because a previous poster stated that they were not suitable unless you weren’t very fertile. This is not the case in my experience so I thought it was relevant. As someone who cannot take hormonal contraceptives, I am keen that the use of condoms is seen by others as a suitable option, as I have had doctors say it is not.

We currently use them post birth of DC2 this year, but both my DW and I think they’re ghastly things that make it all less intimate, that’s very much her view as much as it is mine.

Nothing says intimate gindaddy like having a coil inserted in your cervix.
I assume you and dw are discussing a possible vasectomy for you, rather than just assuming she will take care of the contraception.

Yes we do and as other posters have said no problems at all. I am fed up of taking hormonal contraception and dh doesn’t want a vasectomy so they’re our only choice really !

I’m one of these extremely small
% of people- I’ve fallen pregnant on the mini pill whilst breast feeding, the combined pill (never missed a pill), and with the Mirnia coil- I only knew I was pregnant, when I started to miscarry each time. According to the nurse, I’m just hyper fertile. But I’m proof that no contraception even used correctly is 100%.