To ask what contraception you use?

[facelessworrier]

I'm nearing 40 and have been on the combined pill almost constantly since being 16 apart from coming off to have my 2 children.
Recently went to the docs as I'd noticed some changes in my breasts who took me off the pill temporarily while it got investigated (something to do with the combined pill increasing risk of breast cancer and therefore she couldn't refer me to the breast clinic while on a medication that increased my chances of getting it)
Everything came back clear but now I'm thinking it's probably time to reevaluate contraceptive choices as I'm not sure it's good to be on the pill for this long.

So, what does everyone else do? At the moment we're using condoms (I'm in a LTR) but I really don't like them.

Help please!

I've always had the implant and it's been great, only time I haven't was when trying for my children and once we're 100% we don't want anymore dh will have a vasectomy. I know far too many women to get pregnant accidentally whilst on the pill and coil.

I've had the copper coil in the past, it was easy and convenient. It's supposed to make your periods heavier but for me personally it didn't happen. I found having it fitted and removed straightforward.

After my second DS I had the mirena coil (suggested as you rarely have periods). I had pelvic pain and bloating not long after it was fitted and for the last 2.5 years. I out it down to c section issues and am still awaiting investigation. However the gynae suggested I get it removed before my appointment and to be honest, my symptoms have improved a lot! Apparently the coil isn't supposed to cause issues but the gynae consultant (a friend) says it often does. Getting it removed wasn't nice this time because the strings were up inside my womb. However for most, I think it's straightforward removal. I'd love the coil again because it's so easy but due to my pain issues I'm now on the pill. I hate the pill! I'm rubbish at remembering and hate hormonal contraception. Its made me really spotty too. I'm hoping DP may consider a vasectomy.

I have an implant and I really like it. I've tried other methods but I always come back to it. I don't have periods or any negative side effects with it. I love that it's a quick and painless appointment that doesn't involve me taking my pants off.

I was on a number of different pills throughout my 20s and they all sucked for me. I felt like a new woman when I stopped them altogether.

I have a Kyleena coil now, I got it put in 6 months ago. It was a tough adjustment but it's settled down now and I'm glad I got it.

I had the copper coil a few months ago after being on the pill for years and years. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I can literally forget about it for 10 years. It was a bit painful to insert but not unbearable - I would definitely recommend it

Currently progesterone only pill, but im going to speak to the GP tomorrow and try to get them to refer me for sterilisation.

Sterilisation.

But im on the minipill too

@OneForTheRoadThen

Following for responses as I've recently started the mini-pill but am having more or less constant breakthrough bleeding and it's really irritating.

I have just had my third child and previously used the combined pill but due to migraines can't take this anymore. I have been put on the mini pill and this is exactly what has been happening to me, I had a smear (which I had to push back 3 times due to constant bleeding) that came back negative so did put my mind at rest over the irregular bleeding I stopped it for a month and about to give it another go this month but dreading it!

My personality

Pregnant at the moment but had copper coil twice between pregnancies, will probably go back to that afterwards. Did natural family planning (temping etc) + condoms at fertile time for a bit before DC1. Am v fertile and it worked fine but admittedly wasn't for very long (about 9 months maybe). Have health issues which mean hormonal methods not advised and in any case I prefer to have a natural cycle, I like the natural boost in energy/sex drive etc in the run up to ovulation.

Had the implant but it did something to my appetite and I just couldn't stop eating, never been like that before. Recently had it removed to TTC and my appetite has gone back to the way it was before. Thinking of getting the copper coil after I've fallen pregnant and given birth.

DH had the snip when ds 1 was 6 & ds2 was 2. Best thing we ever did for out sex life! 17 years later it still seems to be holding up..

I had the implant for a couple of years but it killed my sex drive (couldn’t even stand DH kissing me). That’s put me off anything hormonal and I really don’t want a coil so condoms it is until DH gets the snip!

I previously had the Mirena coil which I loved as no periods. The second one I had gave me lots of trouble, I was constantly bleeding and it seemed to have dropped so I pulled it out (probably not the best idea!)

After that we used condoms for a while and then DH got the snip.

@SomeoneInTheLaaaaaounge

My personality

Hahahaha this really made me laugh 😆

I have tried everything bar the injection.
Personally for me the mini pill (and combined pill at that) works great for me. As a pp has said, bleeding can be erratic the first three months or so, but I’ve not had any bleeding at all since.
The only thing that (irrationally?) worries me, is getting pregnant and I wouldn’t know til far gone. However I’ve been reassured by HCPs that taken correctly, it’s very effective.

Contraceptives IMO, are definitely a trial and error thing.

Oh and were awaiting DHs referral for the ✂️ Can’t wait

Hi, can anyone offer me some advice? I was on microgynon for 10 years then had my daughter. Went back on it then had my second daughter in January this year. Since then doctors haven't known what to do with me because of my bmi being 34. They allowed me to try rigevidon which is the same as microgynon. However this made me really low looser and gave me heart palpitations. I had tried the injection but that made me extremely anxious, sick and moody not to mention I bled the whole time on it and heavily. So now I'm on Noriday Iv been on it 9 days. It stopped my period within a couple of days and Iv had no spotting or anything just yet however Iv got headaches that are bothering me when o don't usually suffer from them, period pain, internal discomfort and feeling just generally irritated down below. I feel sick nearly all the time but really want to nibble food all the time. Lost my libido and it's really getting me down. Will this settle or shall I give up? Iv thought about just ovulation tracking to avoid pregnancy for now but it scares me if I something happens. I want more children but not just yet. Any advice would be greatly received. Thank you! X

48 child free by choice and on the mini pill. Spent two and a half decades asking for sterilisation and being refused. Couldnt start the Mini Pill at the beginning of my period as that went AWOL y know NHS what with me being 48 and all. No way im pregnant. After waiting for my period to show i gave up waiting and started taking it after midnight on 4th October. Last period was 27th August.. Have recently found out that child free men got vasectomies when asking for them. And at a younger age too.

Vasectomy. We're both late thirties and neither of us wanted any more children. I didn't want to be on hormonal contraception any longer and neither of us wanted to use condoms. We had a slight pregnancy scare and dh volunteered for the snip. It's been 20 months since the surgery and it was one of the best things we ever did.

DH had a vasectomy 24 years ago after the birth of our 2nd child.
Best thing ever. It's been wonderful not having to worry about contraception all these years

The pill, I’m childfree and will absolutely not be impregnated or reproduce, plus I use it to stop periods entirely. Ideally I would delete the whole fucking nonsense out of my body entirely, but sadly doctors think women will all want to reproduce and are too stupid to make decisions about our bodies, so I’m stuck with my unwanted reproductive system.

menopausal and single

I had my mirena for the full 5 years and loved it.
Currently pregnant (got pregnant after coil removed!) but once we are done having kids I will go back to the Mirena.

I had mirena from 18 to 33 (loved it but due to gyno advise did not replace after the last one removed).

Now I'm contraception free for the last 2 years. I use condoms when I'm ovulating and track my fertility for when it's safe to not use condoms. It's not risk free for pregnancy, but I'm ok with that (no children yet).

Once I have a child or reach my 40s, I plan on tubal ligation as I cannot take any form of hormonal contraception and I don't like the side effects of the copper coil.

@NowEvenBetter I hear you. It really fucks me off too.