Help please - no idea what contraception to use

[cherrybombxo]

I'm 24, I've been with my DP for two and a bit years and while we do want children at some point, we definitely don't want them for a good while. Two or three years, at least. I have tried pretty much everything since I was 17. I was on Microgynon, then I got the implant and that was the worst 18 months of my life, it was horrendous. I had it removed and was on nothing while I was single for a couple of years, then I tried the contraceptive ring, but it was too weird. I went back on the pill but it made me really nauseous for some reason so my doctor agreed to try me with the injection as a last-ditch attempt before he really tried pushing the coil. I don't want a coil as I've heard horror stories and it was confirmed during my last smear test that everything is quite "neat" down there so it would probably be very uncomfortable to have fitted.

Anyway - sorry this is getting a bit long and rambling! - the injection was great for a year but my doctor has switched me to the mini pill. It's fine but I'm absolutely useless at taking it. I have an alarm on my phone but even so, I'm still forgetting about it. I've tried leaving it by the bathroom sink so that I'll take it when I clean my teeth but I get up later at weekends so I've missed my "window". I'm thinking that I'll go back onto the injection to be safe but I've recently heard things about fertility taking months and even years to come back after the depo. I really don't want a baby just now but it's not THAT far off my radar - can anyone shed some light? I thought I was quite well-informed so I was a bit taken aback to hear that some people had been waiting 18 months for their cycle to return to normal. I'd hate for DP and I to decide that we were ready and then have to put off trying for a year or two because I'd messed my cycles up

Why haven't you even mentioned condoms ?

Sorry, I didn't mention them because I despise condoms. I have only been in two long-term relationships, so they haven't been an issue past the first few weeks of dating. My current DP and I had to use them because of the 7 day crossover between two methods of hormonal contraception and it felt so rubbish that we both burst out laughing and gave up

Oh well. They would be the ideal solution right now though, it seems to me.

< saves the wet patch too >

You're right, it would be ideal as I really don't want to keep pumping myself full of hormones. We both hate them but it's a catch-22 because I use hormonal contraception to avoid them, but the hormones dampen my "enthusiasm" for it so I don't really want it anyway! I'd rather come off it altogether but I don't think either of us would be thrilled about the alternative.

My head's all over the place about it!

Hahaha

Very good point!

Why was the ring " to weird" ??

Which is your progesterone only pill? there is one called cerazette that has a 12hr window that you probably should try if it isn't that one ( and if you get up 12hrs to late on a weekend we can't help you LOL)

What about the patch- it's the pill hormones through the skin, that might suit you?

A passing comment about you being " neat" down below isn't intended to be comment on whether you could have a coil. There are slim devices and an experienced family planning doctor can fit anyone pretty much. Not having had kids isn't an issue.

And of course properly used condoms with emergency contraception back up could be an excellent positive choice but is your other half in this too? does he " not like them" ...

Ultimately and I'll probably get shot down, I do really wonder if people who have a " reason" that they can't put up with any form of contraception actually want a baby? If that's you, recognise it!

I found it very alien, having something up my fanjo all the time! It reminded me of a jelly bangle, like I used to wear in the late 90's also DP could feel it, it was just odd all around.

I can't have the patch because I'm allergic to the glue used on plasters and micropore, it brings me out in an itchy rash that then goes scabby - not attractive.

I'm on Cerelle at the moment and the doctor was very firm about it having to be taken at the exact same time every day. There doesn't seem to be any real "window" with this one.

I promise you, I don't subconsciously want a baby just now! We are both starting to progress at work, I've gone back to college two evenings a week, we've booked a very expensive adults only holiday for next August, we have no proper savings to speak of and won't be in a position to buy a house until 2017. No babies!

Oh, and it's not just my DP who doesn't like condoms, I hate them too!

Cerelle does have a 12hr window, if you read the leaflet it should tell you that. Obviously it's best to take it around the same time but you do have that window in which to take it
I was on it and worked shifts so couldn't always take it at the same time
Now have a copper coil fitted, I have no children and it was fine, they used some local anaesthetic gel and I didn't feel anything

goodasitgets oh right, I googled it and the official Cerelle website says to take it at the same time each day, as did my doctor. He went on and on about the importance of that, and even sat watching while I added a new alarm to my phone to remind me to take it. I'll look into it further.

It does but if you read further where it says "what if I forget my pill?"
In the less than 12hrs bit, you take it and are still covered