To think no contraception option is “good”?

[HeddaHedda]

for clarity, NC on this one because of the personal medical content

Looking into contraception options and have come to the decision they there is a downside to everything! It’s just infuriating!

• get really bad migraines so combined pill is a no.
• tried mini pill but it had terrible effect on mood (anxiety and depression exacerbated)
• copper coil - can get heavier periods and have heard many a horror story, and you can just stop using it overnight if the effects are bad
• hormonal coil - again horror stories and not easy to get a removal appointment if it doesn’t suit
• injection - bad for migraines, weight gain, not simply reversed if you don’t get on with it
• implant - again, hormones, weight gain, can be hard to get an appointment .. my friend that uses the same surgery as me hasn’t been able to get hers removed for nearly eight months!!!

not to mention spotting/bleeding side effects any of these can have

I know there are others but this is what my surgery currently offers

am I missing something obvious, or are they all annoyingly not ideal?

I would really like to have another baby at some point but now is not an ideal time. I’ve not long had (another) MC and think this is something we need to take off our plans for a while

but I want something that once it’s removed/stopped we can hopefully get on with ttc straight away

any positive stories/advice appreciated!!

YABU - there’s plenty of options , you just have to decide
YANBU - yeah they’re all a bit rubbish and it’s not fair having to put up with the downsides!

All the options have risks, but do bear in mind that many women are completely happy with their implant, hormonal coils or copper coil. A lot of women (though not all) enjoy the advantage of having lighter or no periods as well.

Condoms?

That's exactly where I'm at.

Condoms are the only thing for me now.

YANBU - the only one that doesn't give me side effects is the combined pill. It was fantastic and 100% effective for 15 years. But the GP told me it would give me cancer and won't prescribe it any more. My husband got the snip instead.

Have you actually tried all the things you've listed and those are your side effects? Or are you just assuming?
Are most of those thing worse than an unplanned pregnancy?

For balance I've never had any of this side effects on BC.

Condoms I refuse to use any of the others

Condoms

Condoms only, being especially careful around ovulation dates

Condoms, diaphragm, or cap?

I'm on my third copper coil, had heavy periods already. They haven't really changed them except made them last a day longer
I really like it, no hormones, no weird side effects and I can't forget about it for 10 years (first 2 were 5 years, this one is a 10 year)

I'm on about my 5th implant (one removed early so I could TTC) If you live in a big city and book ahead it's fairly straightforward to get an appt.

and if you don't get on with the copper coil, once it's out that's done with, no lingering hormones

I found it’s trial and error sometimes - the side effects don’t affect everyone but you need to find the one that’s right for you. Regular pill had bad effects for me but mini was fine.

I’ve reached the same conclusion. Currently pregnant but plan to use condoms and then snip for DH once we’re done!

Just use condoms

Th side effects don’t affect everyone. I was on the combined pill for years with no issue. I have been on the mini pill for a few years after trying it to regulate my horrendous periods. I now no longer have periods after suffering for a long time. It’s marvellous! I didn’t fancy the coil so decided to try the mini pill first. If it hadn’t solved the problem I would likely have given it a go. We are fortunate to have choices.

Should have also mentioned that yes I tried mini pill and it was awful. So it’s made me a bit anxious about anything hormonal. The combined pill is an absolute no because of severe migraines, they wouldn’t even prescribe it for me

I am not denying that where we live means we are extremely fortunate to have choices but I also think this attitude can hold us back from making things better

I personally found the hormonal coil a game changer. Not only is it good contraception for me with no side effects whatsoever it also completely got rid of my periods and thus my previously debilitating PMDD so it was an incredible positive.

Have you actually tried it? Mirena was a life-changer for me so I wouldn't write it off until you've tried it. And removal isn't all that bad. Mildly uncomfortable but no worse than a smear.

I could never get along with the pill. Tried five or six over the years and they all made me fat, miserable and depressed. Why the coil was so good for me and pill such a disaster I'll never understand.

I do think there's a lot of trial and error involved.

I have the copper coil - yes my periods are heavier than on the pill - but its a 10 year coil, no hormones, and i cant forget it/throw it back up.

My ONLY issue with it is that i cant manipulate my periods like i used to on the pill - so i cant skip a period if i'm on holiday etc.

but honestly - its the best contraception i've ever had and i'd never go on another one now.

Also recently (last couple of years) tried the mirena coil and it’s been really excellent. Easy to get appointments to fit it and the surgery said they would def find time for removal if I didn’t get in with it. But it’s been great. Periods reduced to nearly nothing after 4-5 months of a fair bit of varying bleeding (which for me was totally worth it). I’m a big fan for me.

I agree, there was nothing that suited me. Pill made me gain a tonne of weight and feel miserable and low. Coil caused horrific pain and bleeding, it had to be whipped out. Tried the implant, longest time of my life waiting for that to come out. Ended up using withdrawal method which worked like a charm for us! Obviously it comes with risks but they seemed worth it compared to the unnatural hormonal disruption I was forcing on myself.

I have the copper coil and after the first 6-12 months of heavy periods I don't even give it a second thought. Absolutely as though there is nothing there.

[shrug] I got on brilliantly with the copper coil for 15 years. DH has the snip now, but that was his choice. I also got on fine with the combined and minipills, I only really stopped because they suppressed my sex drive and I didn't like that.

withdrawal ? then there's the erm "result" problem 🙈

The result? Oh, the sperm? That's manageable compared to my hormones going hey wire which. I was married though. Wouldn't be so cool about that method as a single woman!