To ask you about contraception?

[WoeIsMoi]

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

The Kyleena coil was mentioned for DD after she got her implant taken out, it's a lower dose of hormones than the Mirena. She's not tried it yet though. I'd never heard of it before.

I don’t need contraception (gay) but I have the Mirena coil due to heavy and painful periods. Best thing I’ve ever done and wish I go it earlier. Just had a new one put in last week, was a bit uncomfortable but worth it.

The thing with contraception though is what works for one person doesn’t work for another. Other people’s good or bad experience is somewhat irrelevant.

I have the copper coil, I'm on my second one now so 7 years in total. It was painful having it put in, and for a couple of days afterwards I had the kind of pain you feel when you are just starting your period - heavy feeling, low stomach ache. It passed and I took painkillers. And ben and jerrys. For the removal I went to my local GU clinic and they used numbing cream and so I couldn't feel anything, and just had a new one put in.
Symptoms wise, or rather, side effects wise, I noticed my periods would be heavier and at times a little more painful, but not so much now. My hormones are all my own. I don't have any weight gain, no spotting, no changes in my hair. My mood swings are still there but are usually an indicator I am due on - irritability, tearfulness, craving starch or chocolate, but once I come on it's like the sun has come out.
I didn't have periods for 2 years after coming off the pill and when i was on the injection or the implant my periods were all over the place.
I would recommend the coil. But it's very individual just like all contraception, my friend has one and hates it. my other friend has the implant, is very slim, and doesn't have a period ever.
I'd go for it, you can get them removed if you dont like it.

theldown.com
The lowdown is like trip advisor for contraception 😃

I've tried pretty much all types of contraception and they all made me fat/crazy/caused ridiculous bleeding etc.

Then I tried the vaginal ring. I've got the Nuvaring. Absolute game changer.

No weight gain or mood swings. Periods are about 4 days long and I barely notice them most months.

I had to go to the clinic at my local hospital to get it because my GP had never heard of it.

ooh great website, thanks @kittylau44

So I've been through a number of these options, mainly in an attempt to help reduce heavy bleeding rather than for contraceptive purposes:

• mirena coil - made the bleeding heavier, longer and worse cramps (had days off work it was so bad). Dr's kept suggesting it would "settle down" but after a year it bled itself out.
• combined pill - gave me a migraine after 3 weeks so that was the end of that.
• mini pill - just coming to the end of my first 3 months on it and I've had daily bleeding since the start of May. Thought it had finally stopped yesterday but seemingly it was just taking a break for a few hours! I've been given another month of it and to decide if I want to try the injection but I'm very reluctant to have something that I can't just stop given my history!

oh, and I haven't done the copper coil because one of the main side effects is that it can make your periods heavier and that's already an issue for me.

Sterilised 12 years ago.

But now on the minipill.

Nuvaring user here. It is hormonal, but you have complete control. So if you don't like it, simply remove it.

I love the fact I don't have to remember to take a pill everyday.

I'm on my 3rd copper coil because synthetic hormones make me murderous.

Love it. Always had fairly heavy periods so didn't make a difference to them, and it's really nice knowing my cycle is how it's supposed to be.

Had my 1st after DD2, pregnant straight after removal, 2nd 6 weeks after DS was born and I had it changed last year after 10 years.

Little bit crampy after insertion but not painful for me. I think 3 DC will have helped with that though!

2x non hormonal iuds over 15 years, removed after gone through menopause.Fitting a bit painful but not awful; last one had to be removed with D and C as it wouldn’t come out. Was an excellent method for me.

@Einszwei you're the first woman I've found that uses one too! Most people look at me like I've got two heads when I tell them about it.

Copper coil for me as hormonal contraception increased my migraines.
Doc didn't try and push Mirena.
Maybe made my periods ever so slightly worse for a year then went back to just as bad as normal. Had it 5 years now. Will take out when we try to conceive, then have a new one.

Copper coil for me and it's been a game changer!!

Cerazette is absolutely awful and in my opinion shouldn't be allowed (major mental side effects and mood swings)

Yazmin was tolerable however fell pregnant on it.... Twice! Despite taking it religiously, apparently having IBS (I. E. diarrhea) can affe t its effectiveness!

Implant - same as Cerazette if not slightly worse for me. Sent me completely off the deep end!

At this point I decided that hormonal wasn't good for me and got the copper coil fitted with much trepidation! I've always had heavy periods and was concerned that the coil would make them worse. I get 2/3 heavy days, one with flooding and the rest is lighter. Fitting was OK too.

Ah that’s interesting you say that @Nobranothanks I have IBS and always have soft stools/ diarrhoea (sorry tmi) and going several times a day is normal for me so I’ve been wondering if that’s why cerazette isn’t having the desired effect on the bleeding!

You might want to have a browse though threads in MN's contraception topic

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/family_planning

Unfortunately contraception is a trial and error. Even identical twins will have differing side effects and opinions about the same ones. I'd suggest finding an NHS family planning clinic (if you can!). Sometimes connected to the local sexual health clinic. They had gynaecologicsts, along with nurse practitioners with specialist training in womens health and contraception.

I found that they had more up to date knowledge of the latest contraception and more time to go through the various types, positives and negatives etc.

I too used the nuvaring for years. Think of a clear, plastic, thin bracelet. You insert it and it stays sitting around the cervix for 3 weeks, releasing a small amount of hormones. My understanding is that due to the position so close to the uterus, its a smaller dose than the pill- but I don't know that for sure. I didnt get the big boobs and hormone swings I got from the oral pill though. You can't feel it either.

Its not like a cervical cap or diaphragm, so doesn't need special sizing or training to fit. I could have sex and DH didnt know it was there. I too often forgot! It doesn't come out till you remove it. Unlike IUD/Coil etc, you don't need to check for the cords and you can remove it instantly if you want. Its not affected if you have diarrhoea or vomiting, and perfect for those that keep forgetting the pill.

Oh I have the implant and absolutely love it. I'm on my third one. So far been on it for 7 years. Then the next time I'll have to get it in my other arm. I get a period once a year. No issues whatsoever with it. Although I do think it reduces my libido but I just work round that.

We just use condoms, have for 15 years. I love not being solely responsible for contraception, it feels like a millstone I don't want. I've never tried any other form of contraception and to be honest after reading about the side effects I never want to! I can't believe what so many women put up with! Never had any problems with libido or lubrication or abnormal bleeding etc plus condoms make after sex ahem clean up super easy. Everyone seem to write them off in committed relationships but I love condoms!

Lesbianism works for me.

I had the Mirena fitted about 5 weeks ago and have had one period since then, but have also had slight bleeding constantly. Enough to stop me having sex, which was the whole point!

Bit hacked off about it but am going to persevere for another month and hopefully the bleeding will stop 🤞

I really feel that despite all the options out there, none are very good. I don’t see why we should have to pump ourselves full of hormones, with all the nasty side effects

@CleanQueen123 that’s really interesting. I suffer really badly with pre and post menstrual mood dips and HORRIFIC periods since I’ve had a kid, but the pill seems to make me insane and leaves me with zero sex drive (so effective in that respect. No chance of pregnancy!). Did you notice any lowering in libido?

@hamsterchump how much are condoms these days?

I’ve been on the pill for almost 15 years - Rigevidon. I know there’s a lot of hate for the pill generally but I’ve never had any problems with it at all plus I love that I can take two packs back to back if I’m going on holiday or have some other event that means a period is inconvenient

@Justgettingbye you can get condoms at good prices from this site www.freedoms-shop.com/ (it's the department of the NHS who order condoms for youth clinics etc, so they can bulk buy). Delivered through the post in discreet packaging. Several ranges are 72 condoms for a tenner, some brands are more expensive, and if you know what you like a few can be bought in packs of 144 for even more of a saving!