Not planning on having anymore children: best contraception?

[SavingMyselfForLukePerry]

I can't persuade dp to have a vasectomy just yet, although I'm working on it. I'm really pretty clueless about contraception and haven't been on the pill for years as I was too forgetful to take it.

Implant or mirena probably. Or getting your tubes tied.

Mirena.

Does Mirena involve a hideous procedure of some sort? I had a hideous birth and am very 'hard to examine' so I was told two million times by various midwives, so not sure I can face too much probing.

I have a Mirena coil. I advise having it put in at a family planning clinic as it is much less painful there. Is worse than a smear but not much worse.

When I read your second post I thought exactly what mirandawest said. Get a coil and have it fitted at a family planning clinic. I had the copper coil fitted last month. I'm also 'difficult to examine' and was told by the doctor that if a GP had attempted it, they would have referred me to her as they wouldn't have been able to do it.

It wasn't the most fun 45 minutes of my life but I only bled a little bit for a week and have been fine since. It's there for 10 years and is as effective as sterilisation. A lot better than having to remember the pill!

I have mirena. I am too young to be 'tied' and have had two babies conceived following religious pill taking. upon discussing the option of sterilisation my doc told me that owing to the minimal to no period it suits people more than a vasectomy or being sterilised. you will need pain relief before you have it fitted, go as strong as you can manage I would suggest (I was naughty and misused my post birth back pain codeine). but its 10mins max of discomfort for no kids and potentially periods for a 5 year minmum.

Bloody hell, I wasn't keen on the coli anyway but you have all thoroughly put me off, sounds horrific!

I am also struggling with this, OP. I don't want either of us to be permanently sterilised (just in case we decide to have another one!), don't want the coil, am in the age range (over 40) where apparently hormonal contraception has higher health risks. Can't find a good answer!

Honestly the coil is great. A few minutes pain and then worry free (and in my case period free) contraception for 5 years is definitely a good thing.

I am too young to be 'tied'

I wasn't aware there was a minimum age these days - it's worth thinking about, if you're sure you're through with child-bearing. A laparoscopic sterilisation is an out-patient job and you will never have to think about contraception again as long as you live. Bliss.

The coil is fine! I'd thoroughly recommend. It's no worse to have inserted than having a smear and certainly a lot better than childbirth!!!

Ok, so the coil looks like the most popular option. Is it 5 mins or 45 mins though?! 5 mins, even I can do. I'm only 31 with 1 child so if sterilisation has to be negotiated, doubt I'd stand much of a chance. The vascectomy conversation led to a rather heated argument when my DP said he didn't think he should have it as what if I died and he wanted the start a family with someone else?!

Please research the risks involved in a vasectomy. I personally would not recommend it to any couple, nor any other surgical operation for contraception.

1 in 10 men develop long term testicular pain - your GP will not tell you about this, or indeed quote 1 in 1000. It's a lie.

Worst decision of my life.

Been in constant pain now for nearly a year and a half.

I've had additional surgery where my testicle was taken out of my scrotum, the epididymis cut off, and then stitched back in. Has cured some pain, but I am now in additional pain from the latest surgery, plus my non-operated testicle is still sore.

It hasn't cured my Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome. I wake in pain every day. It's ruined our sex life completely.

Can't even have them cut off as the pain will remain.

Please research PVPS before even thinking about it. It's very common. The surgery itself is simple, but the after effects are nasty.

We both did not want any more kids, we neither had any of the 'what if you leave/die' intentions, but the effect of the surgery has been horrible. I would never recommend it given the high risk of post surgery complications that can't be cured.

I had a "counselling" appointment before having the coil put in which was about 30 minutes but just talking and making sure I knew what was involved. The putting in appointment was probably about 45 minutes in total with maybe about 20 minutes of actual putting it in and about 3 minutes of actual discomfort. I took a couple of ibuprofen before and was fine.

TheFuzz that sounds awful :( I hope things improve off you.

I found the copper coil insertion probably only slightly more uncomfortable than a smear test. Take painkillers an hour before. Nothing to worry about if you've been through labour/ever had period pain/had a sweep etc though of course everyone is different.

And I had to have it done twice in the appointment as the first coil was too big (stealth boast) :)

Gosh counselling wow !

Had none of that. GP said, "oh is it that time then" - Booked me in, and two weeks later, chop chop (by another GP). GP performing the operation denied any possible complications. Not until I saw the Urology Team did they tell me the reality.

Things aren't improving, and I've been on all sorts of pain medication, but the side effects are just as bad.

The only advantage is that leftie can't possibly re-connect "ever" as there is nothing there to connect, and we don't have to worry about contraception (if I'm not in pain for a bit of friskyness).

I'm currently under review, we are monitoring the situation, but leftie has a few months before we consider chop chop permanently, but the surgeon is reluctant because the nerves are already damaged, so removing it, won't stop the pain.

Simple procedure, with some 'secret' side effects that are hushed up !

I didn't go for the Mirena as it's the same synthetic hormone as in mini-pill Microgynon, which I didn't get on with. Besides, after taking Femodene for nearly 20 years I fancied not having my hormones fiddled with.

DH won't have a vasectomy and I can't have the down time for sterilisation (I'm a carer) so for us it's Mirena.

I'd love to know the answer to this question for after DC3!

I cannot personally contemplate the mirena, copper coil or implant. I cannot bear the thought of having something stuck inside me that I can't remove. I would become hysterical, I know I would. I remember when my fingers got too fat to remove my wedding ring when I was about a week overdue with DD1. I became utterly distraught and hysterical and couldn't calm down until the damn thing was off. God knows what I'd be like with a mirena.