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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask you about contraception?

58 replies

WoeIsMoi · 18/06/2021 14:47

What do you use, what do you recommend?

I'm having my implant out on Monday and I can't wait. That thing deserves to burn in a fiery hell pit.

But what to try next...?! I am thinking the non hormonal coil perhaps as I'm reluctant to try anything hormonal now after the awful experience with the implant.

Does anyone have this? Good? Bad? Please help

OP posts:

namechange222777 · 18/06/2021 15:01

Hey. I have had the mirena coil before and it was absolutely awful for me. I suffer with endometriosis and they told me for about 4 years that it would help me and stop my pain etc. My periods would stop and I wouldn't have to worry for 5 years. It was complete opposite. I don't remember any week where I didn't bleed. It was horrendous and it never helped my pain whatsoever. Also had implant before that and didn't have any luck with that either.
I know it's different for everyone though so only you will know when you have it fitted. I had mine in for about 6 months before I couldn't take it anymore and it was an utterly awful event pulling it out. Sorry don't want to put you off though xx

ViciousJackdaw · 18/06/2021 15:03

I used a traditional IUD for over ten years with no adverse effects whatsoever.

OrangeRug · 18/06/2021 15:04

I use the Fertility Awareness Method and have done for over a year and a half. This involves tracking your basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position in order to determine fertile days. You are supposed to chart all of your info, either on paper or an app and use barrier methods or abstain on your fertile days. I know my body pretty well but we have very stupidly ended up just using pull out on fertile days. I am well aware of how idiotic this is! We really do need to start actually using condoms again. Non-hormonal methods often get a bad rap but FAM is generally effective if you actually do it prooerly. It does take commitment though. If you're interested I recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Wesschler. I honestly think every woman should read this book. I basically knew nothing bout my own cycles until I was in my mid 20s.

Only other form of birth control I have tried is the combined pill. I was on it for about six years because my irregular periods made me very ill when I was younger and I am a type one diabetic. I didn't realise until I stopped taking it but it killed my sex drive and made me extremely painfully dry. It took my body and my cycles a long time to recover from taking the pill for so long.

I have thought about a cap/diaphragm but it's not easy to find somewhere that actually fits them. I also thought about the copper coil but was put off by the idea of painful and heavy periods. One of my friends used to end up in A&E every month and she had an ectopic pregnancy whilst her coil was in. Also I am very prone to thrush and BV and have heard the coil can cause these infections in some women.

Honestly I feel that most contraception just sucks. I really wish there were more non-hormonal options.

LilithTheKitty · 18/06/2021 15:07

I have a copper coil because I really do not get on well with hormonal contraception. It's been in for almost 10 years now, so it's due to be changed.
The insertion wasn't the most fun day out I've ever had, but it was easy enough and not painful, just a bit crampy afterwards. My periods became slightly more painful and a bit heavier, but not in a debilitating way. I wouldn't use any other type of contraception now.

OrangeRug · 18/06/2021 15:09

Oops was on the pill for 12 years not 6

Original poster

WoeIsMoi · 18/06/2021 15:10

Thank you. Yes I really am swaying towars a non hormonal type. So far I've had the depo injection many moons ago which I hated, the pill which was alright but I could definitely tell it was hormonal if that makes sense (like a bit of a fog lifted when I stopped it to conceive DS) and now the implant which is utterly awful.

Never tried a coil hormonal or otherwise. I think I'll ask about the copper. I've heard they try to push the mirena one more though, did anyone find this?

OP posts:

LadyDanburysHat · 18/06/2021 15:11

I've tried most things over the years and hate hormonal contraception but my pms symptoms were so bad that I needed something.

Mini pill - bled constantly
Implant - migraines
Combined pill - worked okay when I was younger but now not allowed because of previous migraines
Injection - hair fell out
Mirena - very wary to try this after the implant but it has worked well for me, although I did gain a lot of weight.

LadyDanburysHat · 18/06/2021 15:13

It's such an individual thing. A friend has the injection and swears by it. My hair is still recovering 2 years on.

IARTNS · 18/06/2021 15:17

Went from Mirena (which I did actually love tbf) to condoms. Had 20 odd years of hormone contraception so just wanting a rest from it.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 18/06/2021 15:25

I had the patch for years and it worked a charm for me. But its the most expensive form of contraception so gps are often reluctant to perscribe.

FishyMcFishyfingersFace · 18/06/2021 15:27

Was on the pill for more than 20 years (apart from when having babies) and it got worse and worse with the hormones. After trying and hating condoms I got a copper coil a couple of years ago. Wish I'd had it years ago as for me it's the best thing ever. Insertion not a problem for me (but did find out I have a slightly tilted cervix from having it inserted and had never found that out over the years with having smear tests and 4 children), periods a little heavier than they used to be but are one day shorter every month. It is great for some people, ok for others and not good for others. I would say it is worth a try, you can always have it removed if it doesn't work for you.

MissMooMoo · 18/06/2021 15:28

I have a mirena which I LOVE. Previously I had the implant which turned me into a raging mess.

AnUnoriginalUsername · 18/06/2021 15:28

I had the implant and copper coil. Hated both with a passion. The mini pill was fine for me though, no side effects that I can think of.

Original poster

WoeIsMoi · 18/06/2021 15:31

Those that have had the mirena and had to have it removed for whatever reason, was it easy enough to get them to do?

This is part of the problem with my implant. Fighting to get someone to take the thing out has been a nightmare.

OP posts:

ThursdayWeld · 18/06/2021 15:33

I'm on my second Mirena. I love it. No periods! Had the firsr one extracted with no drama.

Drivingmeupthewall · 18/06/2021 15:49

I had the Mirena and despite periods neing slightly more painful but just smudgey, I got quite well with it. But I feel susceptible to hormones and I got an ectropian when it was removed, so my next choice is the non-hormonal coil.

yikesanotherbooboo · 18/06/2021 15:50

A lot of GPs can remove coils and it is very quick to do whereas not nearly as many have completed implant removal training. This is one of the main reasons that it can be difficult to arrange removal.
There are pros and cons to all methods and what suits one user does not suit the next. It also depends a lot on the stage in life that you are at.
You haven't said what you didn't like about the implant. If it was hormonal side effects then the copper coil provides very good contraception with no hormones. If you have a history of heavy periods when not using hormones then a mirena might be a good option still. The amount of hormone absorbed by the body is very little and your periods will probably be light or almost non existent. The copper coil tends to give you longer , heavier periods but having said that it can easily be removed and swapped for a mirena if that is the case. I used a copper coil for many years and it worked very well. If

Mary46 · 18/06/2021 15:50

3rd Mirena! Others didnt suit me at all. Implant erractic bleeds Dianette pill same issue. Dont know much about copper coil

BumCat · 18/06/2021 15:53

Watching with interest. I’ve tried practically all the pills each with their own undesirable side effect. And too many horror stories from friends and clients put me off trying anything else. I did try natural cycles for a year and thought it was brilliant! My prayers had been answered!… until I got pregnant. I did everything to the letter and felt pretty stupid when it happened, but hey, it was obviously meant to be. I’m not a great advertisement for it, though.

mindutopia · 18/06/2021 16:03

I had a nightmareish experience with the copper coil. Horrible heavy long periods (my periods were always light and short before this), flooding, bleeding out everywhere all the time. It was miserable. I lasted 2.5 years before I finally had it out. The doctor who removed it said she had the same experience and hated hers. I am in my 40s now, so have to be careful about hormones. I'm on Cerelle, which is progesterone only and it's been great. No side effects at all and my periods are nice and light again.

Original poster

WoeIsMoi · 18/06/2021 16:04

You haven't said what you didn't like about the implant

My problem(s) with the implant are twofold really. Firstly I have not had a day, not a single one, where I haven't bled like a period. I am drained from it (literally and mentally!!) I am tired all the time and constantly feel dirty.

Secondly I feel very low, my mood has very obviously changed since I had it put in. I have absolutely no interest in or motivation to do anything at all.

OP posts:

TravellingJack · 18/06/2021 16:11

I had a copper coil and will have one again (after this planned pregnancy!). I told the GP I don't get on with hormonal contraception and wanted the copper coil - no issues, other than the wait for the appointment! Insertion was a bit uncomfortable and I was crampy and bled a little afterwards, so take a pad (I was given one but that may not be standard). Removal was quick, almost entirely painless and I conceived on my next cycle, which certainly wasn't the case when I came off the pill for my first child as it took months for my cycle to reset and settle down.

Highly recommend trying it - if it's not for you, then in my experience the worst thing that can happen is a couple of inconvenient and uncomfortable appointments, as opposed to months on a hormonal alternative. I already had heavy, long and painful periods (PCOS), and while I think they may have been slightly heavier, the pain was also more manageable (responsive to painkillers) while on the coil - a reasonable deal in my view!

HP87 · 18/06/2021 16:13

Currently pregnant with number 3, once baby is here safe and sound - husband = ✂️

I've done my time on birth control and not had an accident so he either wraps it up or snip, snip for him.

AGirlsGotToDo · 18/06/2021 16:16

I've had the copper coil (non hormonal) and I bled so badly, for almost two weeks every cycle. It made me anaemic in the end.
I had it removed about 3 years ago and haven't used any contraception since. We use the pull out method. Obviously its not a contraceptive. Maybe use condoms for now until you decide?

Justgettingbye · 18/06/2021 16:20

I was on combined pill for years no real problems and now on the patch which everyone comments on when I go to the drs/nurse because it's expensive apparently.
I don't really have a sex drive but not sure that's down to the.m contraception probably the 2 pre school aged children. 😂

Would like to go non hormonal but never get around to getting a coil booked in

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