To JUST use condoms?

[Whoistoknow]

How many of you rely solely on condoms and have been fine (as in no unplanned pregnancies?)

Realising that pretty much every hormonal contraception disagrees with me and I’m fed up of it. I really want to give my body a break and just use condoms, particularly as we are likely to want to start a family in the next few years (not right now though!)

GP was horrified at the thought of me getting my implant removed and not taking the pill or anything instead. Felt like a naughty teenager!!!

Interested to know whether this is an ‘unwise’ thing to do if we don’t want a baby right now or probably ok? The side effects are bad with every pill or contraption I have had so I almost think I’ll just have to risk it!!

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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

Whoa. My GP was baffled by me too! Vomiting and nausea every time I took any pill. Really weird. Finally gave up, thus the condoms. Oh and I had severe HG in both pregnancies, so I think my body just hates extra hormones.

I've just stopped taking the pill after 10 years so this is interesting. Planning to rely on condoms. I was on the combined pill for most of that time but my anxiety was becoming increasingly bad and also I had a few migraine with aura, so was swapped to the mini pill. My mood improved but my boobs/nipples would become so painful and I even has watery discharge from one nipple (listed as a side effect) I had a moment of 'what are you doing to your body taking these hormones every day? And just stopped. Feel 100% better. Slightly missing the point of the thread but I am glad I made the decision.

I think GPs just see all the contraception failures in a way you don't really in everyday life, most people won't say their contraception failed, if they are married they just let people assume it was a planned pregnancy.

I have used only condoms for planned contraception in the last 24 years, through multiple sexual partners both long term and more casual. I have not had a single pregnancy scare or unwanted pergnancy, though did have a couple of condoms split on me in close succession with a new partner and had to take the morning-after pill a couple of times as a precaution. I know a lot of people don't like them, but I don't mind them at all.

We are debating this at present. I very torn as to whether I want to replace my iud or not. I think I will though.

I hate taking hormonal contraception. DH and I have been together for 23 years and only ever used condoms / withdrawal. No unplanned pregnancies.

I did once (with an ex) have a condom split and had to take the MAP. But at least you can tell it's failed!

Only used condoms for about 15 years. No pregnancy scares or issues with them.

Copper coil isn’t perfect either. Found myself two months pregnant after it had been in place for a year. Was still perfectly in place when they scanned me. Medical (non-surgical) abortion at twelve weeks.

Since then, just condoms, avoiding PIV sex during fertile window (tracked with app and checking cervical fluid). One split condom in nearly 10 years, but we were drunk. I took the MAP within 12 hours and nothing came of it.

There’s no perfect contraception that works for everyone.

We used them for 11 years before stopping to TTC and I got pregnant the first month, and again when TTC two further times. So there was clearly no issue with fertility but we had been fine for a long time. I think there is a huge user error rate. If you use them properly and are willing to take the MAP if there is any failure, the risk of unwanted pregnancy is comparable with the pill.

I got the copper coil as I didn’t want to use hormones any more and personally really dislike condoms and at the time (I was fresh out of university) didn’t want to risk the higher failure rate. I would definitely recommend it - lasts for five years, only side effect is periods that are a tiny bit heavier. It’s a tiny bit uncomfortable having it put in but only for a minute or so. Doesn’t hurt to have it removed. I guess it depends on your current circumstances - if being pregnant would be the worst thing ever right now, the coil plus condoms sounds best, if it would actually be ok just not quite what you’d planned then just condoms would work.

I've used just condoms for 20 years and never had an unplanned pregnancy or pregnancy scare.

I stopped taking the pill in January after 20+ years, DH had an appointment for a vasectomy but then bloody Covid-19!!!!

We're on condoms only for now and not sure if this thread is helping or making my "accidental pregnancy anxiety" worse

People that only use condoms have something like a 20% chance of being pregnant in a year.

If you definitely don't want to get pregnant they aren't reliable enough.

All you posters who are mentioning fertility tracking apps - please be careful. I got pregnant when trying to use the 'safe' method. I think it may have been because I was taking a three month course of antibiotics at the time. Women are aware that medications can interfere with contraception, but what I have also learned is that they can have an affect on your cycle too, and even delay ovulation. I was pretty sure it was a 'safe' day, at very end of cycle, but clearly not! If unplanned pregnancy is not a good option for you, do be wary of natural family planning.

Condoms only for 15 years, no problems, got pregnant after 5 months when stopped using them (over 35 so fertility probably not at its best).

I think it helps that we don't drink so no drunken getting carried away oops moments (I certainly had a few of them when I was young), and we don't actually have sex that often due to physical problems (me).

we have used them for 15 years no issues

We're on the 8th year of using them with no mishaps so far.

@Floatyboat actually it's 2% according to the NHS website, not 20%.

Supplement with cycle tracking and take more care around ovulation?

I refuse to take the risk of hormonal contraceptives but I also hate condone so I went with a copper coil instead. It’s brilliant, no effort, no side effects and no pregnancies.

Condoms aren't the most reliable option. Maybe would pair them with fertility tracking using Natural Cycles or similar.

We only use condoms! On one contraceptive pill I felt suicidal and crazy, took another pill and just felt bleugh! Had been taking the pill for about 9 years.
Came off the pill and felt great physically and emotionally.
Took us 2.5 years to conceive our daughter and after messing with hormones having IVF we decided to just use condoms and I had the same shocked look at my 6 week check up. Saying condoms aren't 100% effective and I just replied that no contraception is. The thought of having artificial hormones when I don't need them fills me with dread! The coil can affect fertility also!
Do what you feel is best OP!! Xx

With our existing DCs acting as natural contraception, and my periods finally behaving civilly after very painful, irregular cycles pre-DCs, it's not really worth the toll of hormonal methods for the benefits from them. So we use condoms. We're definitely not trying, but a latex and MAP busting baby would not be a distaster.

We used condoms along with the pill/ implant. There was a phase where I tried coming off the pill, DH lingered a bit too long and 20 mins later, I was down the pharmacy. Even the pharmacist looked amused when I said it was only 20 minutes

From conversation I know of pill, coil and injection busting babies/ children. I haven't heard confessions about condoms. Generally you'd get a more immediate warning if they haven't worked.

Thanks all - really useful and I have to say I am surprised so many people rely on just condoms and have done this relatively safely!

Re: copper coil, really have a fear of any coils and GP actually said probably wouldn’t be a good idea as I haven’t had a baby. Also I don’t really want something new inserted when probably going to want to conceive in a couple of years.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we got pregnant - just not in my ‘plan’ (control freak )

Definitely would use an app as well - actually quite excited at the prospect of having a proper cycle to track and not the constant spotting and randomness of hormonal contraception!!!

Have never had to take MAP in my life so that is one thing that fills me with dread!