What contraception do you use?

[Caramel78]

What contraception do you use and do you rate it? I’m on the combined pill (microgynon) and tempted to come off it and just use condoms as so sick of all the artificial hormones and bloating. Thanks

NEVER USE THE DEPO INJECTION. It is AWFUL!

I cannot agree more with this. If I had any idea how much it would screw with my body, I'd have sooner risk going without anything than have it. Wish I'd stuck with the mini pill and just set a reminder each day to take it, rather than think an injection then forget about it was easier.

I've been off the injection with no other contraceptive since last April. Took several months for any period, and it's only in the last two months I've had a normal cycle. Never mind the awful weight gain, cramps, constant PMS and other symptoms that seem similar to thyroid problems (which always come back normal in blood tests). I'm genuinely worried it's caused irreparable damage and I'll not conceive again/have issues for years.

If I don't get pregnant again soon, I'll definitely go back on the mini pill, never had an issue with is personally.

@MouthBreathingRage

I thought the same. I was very depressed and cross with myself for taking it. However, please try not to worry, you are not ruined forever! I managed to get pregnant since taking it. Once which ended up with miscarriage at 6 weeks but now I am 12 weeks pregnant. My first normal period came back 9 months ago.

I hope that makes you feel a little better. X

The injections are good whilst you are on them, but coming off - not so great. Took a year of on and off irregular bleeding before things went back to normal! It would really delay/hamper things if you wanted to start TTC never mind have a decent sex life

Condoms. Don’t adore them but didn’t want to go back on the pill after DD was both and glad DH is now responsible. He’s happy to get a vasectomy but we’re not 100% there yet.

Condoms, I decided I'd had enough of having artificial hormones. I'd previously been on the pill, then the Mirena.

I do miss not having periods though

@MouthBreathingRage I'm expecting no2 so no damage done for me in the long term - just took ages for things to go back to normal x

I disagree with PP upthread. I've been on the depo for at least 8 years. No periods. No cramping. Only got pregnant when I came off and wanted a pregnancy. Great stuff.

I've tried so many combined pills, op. But I guess i didnt get on with microgynon. Generally, I'm quite spot prone with oily skin, and that pill made my skin a million times worse.
After a bit of research, I switched to Yasmin and my skin was perfect for the 3 years I was on it. Down side was my moods, and I'm now completely off the pill to give my body a break.

The injections are good whilst you are on them, but coming off - not so great. Took a year of on and off irregular bleeding before things went back to normal! It would really delay/hamper things if you wanted to start TTC never mind have a decent sex life

I came off the depo 6 months before TTC. I went onto 3 different types of pills which made me bleed buckets, feel sick or gave me headaches. Came off those and fell pregnant within 3 weeks.

Mini pill and no issues. Had the copper coil and bled 6 months straight, anaemia was awful and I almost lost the will to live ( not an exaggeration sadly).

I use the combined pill (microgynon) as well.

I tried the mini pill and copper coil, had awful acne with both as clearly need oestrogen. Tried various other combined pills but had awful migraines with Marvelon and was concerned about the increased risks of the newer pills such as Yasmin so came off that.

I'd be VERY wary of using the Natural Cycles app. I used it when TTC and it was telling me I was ovulating a good week after I actually was!!!

I stopped the pill after years and just use condoms. Honestly the best thing I have ever done. No more bloating, mood swings etc. I felt a bit numb on the pill, hard to explain almost like emotionless! Feel human again plus I have my sex drive back

I just track my cycle. Been doing it 3 yrs no accidents.

Just condoms. Had the implant for 9 years but took it out because the mood swings and weight gain was horrible.

I'm half tempted to get the coil, but even after two vaginal births, the pain of insertion puts me off.

I use clue app and take temp

Copper coil, I’ve had no issues.

Just condoms.
I came off the implant last summer when it reached the end of it's lifecycle. I had been on that for 9 years, and 5 years prior to that was on the pill (which was at that point like half my life).
They're actually fine. There is certainly a bigger range than I remember as a teenager, I did research on failure rates etc. It took a few boxes to find the right 'fit' (both figuratively and literally) and I don't think they take you too much 'out of the moment', there are things you can do to keep the sexual energy up (and that is how we both discovered he has a thing for feet ).

I had the depo when I was younger and absolutely ballooned. I've had several pills and three implants - the first was amazing - no periods, no side effects, the second time I had periods - fine - no big deal, third implant hit me like a bus. I was a very angry stressed and depressed monster that couldn't stop bleeding - literally constantly for months on end so I've just had it out and I'm relying on my non- existent sex life for contraception. It's working well so far.

Mirena IUD - First cycle light, second spotting and just the odd spot since and it was fitted 2 1/2 years ago. Hormones more settled with it than without (I have PCOS). Best contraception I’ve ever tried. (I had depo injection before and would never again. Had quite a few friends with the implant that had it removed due to non-stop periods so I’ve avoided that too).

Mirena for me as well, I'm on my second one now. No periods, no side effects, you only have to check the strings from time to time and apart from that you can just forget about it for 5 yrs!

I'm interested by the hatred towards the Depo injection. I've been on it for about 8 years (although am just finishing off my last shot before TTC) and have never had any issues.

Really wish you luck with TTC. Some women experience a real delay in the return of their fertility after Depo . I've known doctors who really advised not using it unless your family was complete for this reason. It's a known side effect. It can also lead to a decrease in bone density.

Just condoms, can't face hormones anymore & I get them cheap with staff discount 😁

For anyone who uses condoms you can buy 72 Pasante condoms for £10 from this NHS website. Bargain! www.freedoms-shop.com/shop/product/search/?brand=9&c=1

I can't take any combination contraception which rules a lot out, I wanted the patch. I won't have a coil, don't want to use condoms, was on cerazette and the side effects were awful. My mood swings were horrific and we didn't realise the effect until I stopped taking it. I also had acne and sore boobs which I've never suffered with.

I now have the implant which I'm not sure about as bleeding has been unpredictable but I need to give it more time as I've only had it for about 7 weeks. I was putoff the injection by weight gain being an almost guaranteed side effect.

If men had to be more responsible for contraception, I'm convinced they would come up with a lot better methods that didn't fuck with your body quite so much.

Lesbianism. Pretty effective.

Also on the mirena due to awful periods. I love it.