To be sick and tired of taking the pill

[TorySteller]

I’ve been taking the pill for 13 years (I’m now 30). I’m convinced that it isn’t doing any favours for my sex drive, or my mental health.

I have spoken to friends about other options but have just heard horror story after horror story about the implant/coil etc which puts me off.

Have spoken to DH and he’s happy to start using condoms, but to be blunt I hate them - and I think he does too, but he’s willing to start using them again.

It feels like the only other option is to start tracking my cycle, but I’m well aware that this method isn’t foolproof.

Has anyone come off the pill when trying NOT to TTC? Have you gone back to using condoms? How did you find it? Can anyone recommend anything else that I haven’t thought of? This has been on my mind a lot recently and I don’t want my sex drive to be affected for the next 10 years.

I had a mirena fitted - and although the fitting was horrible it's caused me no problems now it's settled in.

OP, I don't track my cycle but as someone who works in contraceptive healthcare, I've noticed what works for one, doesn't work for the other. It's quite individual.
The coil is very invasive but a lot of women like the depo injections which are 3 monthly or the implants which are up to 3 years. Obv, these are hormonal.
It can be trial and error.

I tracked my cycle, I ended up with five kids. Not advisable. Personally I've been on the implant on/off for decades and I've had zero problems with it.

Are you planning on kids? Because if not, vasectomy.

Diaphragm & spermicide

I know there are horror stories out there but honestly getting the copper coil was the best thing I ever did , it can be uncomfortable getting it fitted but I was absolutely worth it

*it

The coil is the one that I’ve seriously considered - the copper coil particularly appeals as it’s hormone free. I just have a close friend who’s a nurse and she’s told me they get so many women who have huge problems with them! It’s nice to hear some more positive stories.

I think what also worries me with the coil (or the implant etc) is that I can’t just stop taking it if it doesn’t agree with me. I’d need to wait to have it removed.

Me and DH have discussed sterilisation at length, but with 10 fertile years in front of us, we’re not keen to completely say no to the idea of DC. Yet.

I came off the pill in November, didn't start trying until August, was using good old pulling out method and kept an eye on when my fertile week was but always pulled out, then when we tried we did it once and got pregnant straight away so could say DH's pull out game is top notch! But yeah, not foolproof but worked for us 🤷🏼‍♀️

Copper coil has no hormones in it that's why I have it hormone contraception doesn't agree with me and to just put a different take on it I have several friends who have them and they have all been fine . It does take a few weeks to settle so you get a few cramps and random spotting but then it's fine , I'm on my 2nd coil now . Im not sure if it's still the same now bit I had a 6 week follow up with both coils and was told if I really felt it wasn't right for me I could have it removed at the check up .

I've had to stop taking the combined pill but can take the mini pill - really not keen as I've tried this before and I felt so moody and bled ALL the time. Going through a similar situation as I really do not want implant / coil.

Partner is ok to use condoms but we both really don't want to. We have one 16 month DD and definitely don't want another for a few years. DP is happy to have a vasectomy once we are 'done' (basically having one more). I considered the contraceptive injection but I'm wary of weight gain and apparently it can be harder to conceive after stopping. Also have PCOS so already difficult to conceive.

I think a lot depends on whether you want to have children and when!

I love my mirena
No horror stories here. No periods and no loss of sex drive. No pain when it was put in.

I've tracked for 5 years, but a) i am much older than you so my fertility is in decline b) we dont have regular sex c) it wouldn't have been the end of the world if I fell preg.

Maybe you just need to try a different pill? Might make a difference

I've never been on any contraceptive because horror stories put me off.

Been with partner 14 years and for the second half of that we've done a mix of watching my cycle and the pull out method. Haven't tried to get pregnant yet (soon!) so perhaps we just aren't that fertile!

It depends on what you mean by tracking your cycle? The rhythm method is not reliable in any way but an actual method like billings/ symptothermal/ sensiplan etc. preferably where you are working with an instructor is very effective however it does require dedication! If you are considering it then I would start by reading “Taking charge of your fertility” by Toni Weschler.

If you don’t want children then I’d probably go for a permanent option.

Do it. I don’t think it does women’s health any good long term being on hormonal contraception for years on end.

I stopped taking the pill to conceive DS and have t gone back on to it. DH and I rely on condoms, but know they’re not foolproof.

We’ll just use condoms until we’ve completed our family, then DH will have the snip.

I’m fortunate though in that my periods aren’t agonizing, if they were I may have thought twice. No way would I have a coil; the fitting is meant to be agony.

I came off the pill when I was 30, to conceive. I haven't been on it since. We've relied on condoms and luck, since he who must not be named procrastinated re the vasectomy - no problems having it, just didn't bloody get round it.

About to turn 50, with the agreed number (2) of children.

I reacted SO badly to the pill when I first tried it years ago. Constant bleeding, low libido and mood swings.
I recently went on the Hana pill and feel amazing. Could be an option for you?

I also have copper coil and no problems. Fitting for me was no worse than a cervical smear although some women find it very unpleasant. I had already had a baby though and I've heard the fitting is more uncomfortable if you haven't previously given birth, but not sure how true that is.

I've had the copper coil for nearly 4 years and it's been great until I found out recently that I'm very anaemic. I have one VERY day on my period and it would appear that that has been enough to make me anaemic. So something else to consider.

One very heavy day that should say

Another mirena lover here- 5 years of no periods and no problems.
Insertion uncomfortable but not painful.
Had my second one in for 2 years- decided to TTC and GP whipped it out within a fortnight.

I tracked my cycle with my DH for a year and a half before we started TTC. Never so much as a late period! But I will admit that we were in a place where if I fell pregnant it wouldn't have been a problem, as we knew TTC would be on the cards in the next year or so anyway.

Hormonal contraception does not agree with me, and frankly I'm always amazed at the side effects we women are expected to endure. I didn't fancy the copper coil as my periods are heavy to begin with and I know the copper coil can result in heavier periods. So we've always just used condoms and then cycle tracking later on.

Most of my life I’ve only ever relied on condoms, both with exh and other partners (small number, not sure if that makes a difference). I’ve never been pregnant except when I’ve been trying to be.