Can somebody please talk an idiot through all the possible NON hormonal methods of contraception please?

[fuzzpig]

Getting a bit sick of condoms basically, would prefer being a bit more spontaneous :o

But, having numerous physical and mental health problems, anything hormonal is ruled out basically.

So... what other possibilities are there? Any experiences would be most welcome.

Also, how old is your youngest child? I was really nervous about having the coil fitted as I also find smears/vaginal examinations very difficult, but it was really surprisingly fine. I had it put in when DS was about six months old, and the doctor at the Margaret Pyke said in her experience fittings within a few months of having a baby are always the easiest, she said it's almost as if the cervix is sort of "numb" for months after labour!! It made my periods heavier and slightly longer but v. surprisingly actually less painful! (They were pretty bad before.)

That's interesting, thank you - I have two DCs aged nearly 7 and 4.9 so a long time since my last labour! IF we have another baby then I will consider the copper coil for afterwards especially if I can have it fitted soon after (although I'm guessing you can't take diazepam while breastfeeding?!)

I'd never heard of the ring, I'll look that up too. The Dr mentioned that some methods are only localised hormones (mirena coil). I feel like you do though - that any hormonal method is too much. It just freaks me out, the idea of changing the 'natural order' of things IYSWIM? I know that's crazy especially as I'm perfectly happy to take antidepressants and stuff! But I just feel that taking pills that, say, stop my periods, would be too much for me. I feel a bit scared of the idea of a little metal thing in my uterus too though.

Warming to the idea of monitoring cycles and stuff but you have to be pretty on the ball I guess! It would be interesting to learn more about my cycle though. I can feel (by pain) when I ovulate but that's about it.

Also what's the difference between the cap and the diaphragm (one of these days I'll spell that right first try!) - I thought they were the same!

The GP mentioned that the diaphragm is only really popular in the USA.

Hi fuzzpig. I didn't use either in the end, but the cap is a bit smaller, a sort of small cone, and stays in place just over the cervix itself with suction; a diaphragm is wider and flatter and fits over the whole cervical area, it's held in place by the natural shape/muscles of your vagina. They both work in a similar way, and you have to use both with spermicide and leave them in for a while after sex. They would both have to be fitted by someone who knows what they are doing, and as neither are very fashionable at the moment, that probably means a family planning clinic.

I think if you want to avoid hormones completely the best options are either a copper coil or FAM + a barrier method. Having good knowledge of your cycle means that you will always know how fertile you are, and you can decide to abstain completely/combine barrier methods (e.g. diaphragm and condoms)/use a single barrier method/use nothing at all on the basis of that knowledge and how important it is to avoid pregnancy at that point.

I'm stuck when it comes to contraception too.
Had Mirena for a couple of years and totally lost my sex drive.
Using the patch at the moment but I want to be hormone free.
I got pregnant using the withdrawl method.
Scared to rely on condoms only.
Have heavy and painful periods so don't fancy the copper coil.
Help!

TBH for me condoms have been totally fine for me. I am only fancying a change because it would feel nicer to not use them.

But of course it also depends on how disastrous pregnancy would be!

I'm still deliberating. It turns out, having been brave and actually approaching the subject, that DH is open to the idea of baby #3 after all! But wouldn't TTC until next year at the earliest (got general life stuff to sort out first) so obviously need contraception til then. No point in copper coil now as I'd only need it taken out in a year or so.

So, I think we will either stick with condoms for now or I'll try and get the diaphragm

Or maybe try using the FAM + condoms on fertile days, maybe from early next year, definitely not yet as it's too early to have a mishap! But by next year it wouldn't be sooo bad even if we weren't actively trying yet. If that makes any sense.
Definitely not trying withdrawal. There is no way DH could manage that :o

I have a couple of qus. We use condoms as I really can't tolerate hormones - they are ok but not wonderful.

If you are withdrawing - what happens about the mess? Obv condoms are tidy and no condom sex generally gives time to scoot to the loo before it goes everywhere...

Also, using NFP strikes me of having the enormous drawback of having to avoid sex at your horniest time - the days when yr body is actually trying to get pg.

Sassy I think the idea with NFP is that (barring any latex allergy etc) you just use condoms on your fertile days, rather than abstaining

Yes, there's a terminology issue here. NFP ("natural family planning") is the term used most often by those using a natural method for religious/moral reasons, and usually that entails abstaining completely at the most fertile time to avoid conception. I agree that for those women (like me) for whom their libido is v. linked to the cycle this is not very practical. And actually I found if I tried to do it my mind tended to play tricks on me and in the 'heat of the moment' I'd find myself working out/believing quite genuinely that I was at a less risky point in the cycle than I was. As you say sassy your body will do everything to get you into bed at that point!

FAM ("fertility awareness method") describes exactly the same techniques of observations/charting etc but is usually the term used by those who are not using it for any religious reasons, and in that case they will generally combine careful charting with abstinence/withdrawal/one or more barrier methods depending on the point in their cycle and how cautious they want to be.

The best book for all this is "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" which assumes no religious/moral motivation at all (though you can also find older ones second hand which describe the same techniques, though are often written from a religious perspective). I do think TCOYF tends to downplay the issue of increased libido in the fertile time though.

Thanks for the explanation kal, I'd thought the terms were interchangeable! I'll look up that book too.