Withdrawal method - how reliable?

[GrassW1dow]

Assuming you're in the ovulation stage of your cycle, how reliable, on average, is the withdrawal method?

1% risk of conception?
0.01% or more like?
0.00001%?

[ps2304]

We used this for two years and then got pregnant first month of trying so it worked for us!

[ps2304]

We are married and did want children so wouldn't have been the end of the world had it happened by accident. Wouldn't recommend it for anyone not wanting a baby!

[GrassW1dow]

Pacific copper coil for some reason made my periods really long and heavy (when they are not like that otherwise).

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I use the Mirena coil - the hormonal one - and haven't had a period in more than 8 years (I am on my second coil now). My gynaecologist recommended I get one because I had heavy periods.

[GrassW1dow]

Can you get the Mirena coil for the equivalent of the mini pill hormone though? Was told to avoid combined pill as I get migraines.

[intheBondiBubble]

We used natural family planning basically using an app on your phone to track your cycle which will alert you to your 'fertile' days.
It needs a few months to find your natural cycle and then is pretty accurate but I agree with PP that you have to be prepared that it's by no means as effective as contraception.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I honestly don't know, I'm afraid, GrassW1dow - as far as I am aware, it only comes in one formulation - there aren't different ones with different hormones/hormone levels - but I could be wrong.

I used to be a nurse, though - and there was a technical term, in hospitals, for couples who used the withdrawal method of contraception - parents! I would not rely on it for contraception.

Have you considered a diaphragm? Apologies if you have mentioned it earlier and I have missed it (not enough caffeine in my circulation yet).

[glorious]

grass check with your dr but I believe mirena is progesterone only I. E. Like the mini pill.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception-guide/pages/ius-intrauterine-system.aspx

[Brenna24]

Mirena is also much lower levels of hormone.

[Rhubarber]

It's worked for us.
All 3 dc conceived when trying within 1-2months.
I wouldn't advise anyone to rely on it but has worked 100% for us over the course of 20years

[Littlefingers08]

Hi Grass, how long did you have the copper coil in for? I had mine in for 6 years and I agree the periods were horrible, more painful & heavy for the first 4/5 months but after that they settled down, best thing ever as I reacted badly to the pill and I love the fact it doesn't have hormones in it.

[PacificDogwod]

Copper coil is known to sometimes make periods longer and heavier, but usually it's a transient effect and calms down after 6-9 months (which of course is a long time to be dealing with heavy periods… )

I like comparing withdrawal with gambling: it's completely like that. You could win the lottery the very fist time you play it, or never. But it's a game of chance, just depends what chance/risk you're prepared to take…