hi all
I'm new to the site and felt a bit wrong joining as I am not a mum, and don't intend to be any time soon! But i've read so many threads on here about this and hoping that some of you might take the time to pass on your advice and opinions to me.
I've been on the mini-pill for five years now (in my early twenties, no kids) and it has worked well for me as a contraceptive- I've never even had so much as a scare touchwood!! However now I'm a bit older and more health conscious, I am incredibly uncomfortable with the idea that every day I pop a pill which, yes, stops unwanted pregnancies, but may be having many other effects to my body that I may not realise. I am very keen to come off the pill as soon as possible for the following reasons:
- I period every 6-8 weeks. I know on the mini-pill they can stop completely so at least I have periods, but I feel as though taking the pill is suppressing my system from working the way it is supposed to be. I know the mini-pill isn't linked to infertility, but it certainly does worry me that long term pill use stopping my body functioning correctly will have a detrimental effect in years to come.
- bf and I want a family together, but not for a good 5-10 years. However when we do decide the time is right and I come off the pill, I'm uncomfortable with the idea it could take up to 2 years for the pill to be out of my system. My worst nightmare is that we're ready to have children and then find we have fertility issues, so wouldn't want a 2 year delay while we're 'waiting' to see if it is just nature taking it's time. I would rather stop my contraception and that is that
- I come from a family of fairly neurotic women. We all have our compulsive tendancies and my mother is diagnosed and medicated for having OCD. I think it's too strong to say I come from a family with 'mental health' issues, but we certainly are a neurotic bunch! I do feel like the pill effects me, emotionally and mentally. I can be overly paranoid, I have had anxiety attacks and panic attacks over the last couple of years, for no good reason. In fact I have suffered these when everything in my life is fine and I had no idea why I felt the way I did. I'm not saying this is 100% because of the pill, maybe it is just the way I am, but I've been on the pill so long that I can't remember what I feel like when I'm not on it
- I have recently started suffering from spots, something I didn't even suffer from during puberty. They are in isolated areas (chin, forehead) and they simply will not clear up. Im not wearing make up, clean my face twice a day with plan soap and water and try not to touch them but they won't go. I've never had this before and again, I'm not 100% it's because of the pill but I would like to come off and see if it has an effect.
So i've looked at all the options available to me and really it seems the only non-hormonal option (except condoms) is the copper coil. I won't lie, I'm not massively sold on the idea. I've read a lot of posts on here 'I was getting on with mine really well until I found out I was pregnant last week' and horror stories of lost coils and perforated wombs. However I do think it's a case of, I'll see how it goes for me, worse comes to worse, have it out, back on pill, no harm done.
So the toss up I have is, do I stick to what I know works for me even though I'm uncomfortable with it (why fix something that's not broke?) or go for a riskier option that does what it says on the tin, and just stops babies. I say riskier because I think it's fair to say that for the first couple of months, I won't know how well my body has taken to it, how it settles down, and maybe it's not as effective for me.
I know that no solution is 100% and I know everyone is different so I understand that what's right for some of you may not be right for me and vice versa, but I would really appreciate some 'If I were you, I'd be leaning towards...' from voices of experience. Having a baby at my age really isn't an option (keep legs crossed?) so keeping any possible 'accidents' at bay really is number one priority.
My boyfriend and mum are of the stance 'women have been taking the pill for years, it's fine what are you worried about' but I'm just not happy any more. Sorry for rambling on!!!!