Do you use (or have you ever used) hormonal contraception, like the Pill, IUD or implant? Fancy telling us what you think about it?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

The team at the Telegraph's Wonder Women pages are interested in hearing about women's experiences with hormonal contraception - and, specifically, the emotional and libido-related side-effects it can have for some women.

MNers have occasionally told us that they're frustrated with the current range of available contraception, and that some of you feel reluctant to take contraception that works hormonally. Of course, lots of you also seem perfectly happy with hormonal contraception, and appreciate its reliability.

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare states that 'women can be advised that combined hormonal contraception may be associated with mood changes, but there is no evidence that it causes depression'. The Wonder Women journalists are interested in whether any of you have experienced mood changes, or emotional effects, or effects on libido.

So: have you used, or do you currently use, the pill, a hormonal coil or implant? How did you find it? Did you notice any effects on your mood or libido, or did you find it unproblematic? And even if you did find it a bit problematic, did you think that it was worth it for the peace of mind?

Of course, maybe you find the hormonal contraception completely fantastic and have taken it without any trouble for years. Would be really interesting to hear all views and experiences.

Thanks
MNHQ

I used Microgynon for many years starting in my teens and I loved that I could know with absolute certainty when my period would arrive. However, I'm amazed that I never fell pregnant as I was so chaotic with taking it. I came off it as I got ill so often requiring antibiotics, that it was pointless taking it.

So I switched to the implant which was even better, once it was in I could just forget about it and it stopped my periods completely. However, after I had my DS, I went back on the implant as I loved it so much the first time. However, it was horrendous - I had a permanent period for over six months. Total libido killer and it had to come out.

I don't know whether it's possible (could be showings m ignorance here) but why are there not more contraceptive methods for men? Besides condoms and vasectomies? A friend of mine has to take long term medication that has affected his fertility - he says he is 'firing blanks' - so clearly there are pharmaceutical methods for men to take too. It shouldn't always fall to the woman to go through the difficulties with contraception.

I went on the pill at 18 to lighten my periods. I barely had any sex in my twenties because I had no libido for it.
Came off the pill in my late twenties and my libido went through the roof, suddenly I wanted sex and understood what everyone else liked about it. Then I met DH and went back on the pill.
I had the copper coil put in after ds and dd when we were contemplating another dc. My periods are incredibly heavy and the period pain starts before my period. I don't want hormones in my body again though. I do my best to ensure we eat healthy and fresh, and get plenty of exercise, so why do I want artificial hormones flooding my body?

I think I'm slightly old fashioned when I say I champion the pill over all those other methods.

Admittedly, the only other method I've tried is the implant and I hated it. It gave me constant mood swings and it made my depression and anxiety worse. It also gave me horrible headaches which painkillers wouldn't touch. I hated the fact that it made my periods irregular and I couldn't predict when AF would arrive and I hated the lack of control over my own body.

I wanted it removed after about four months but every HCP I saw would just fob me off and tell me not to be silly. Even when a doctor at a family planning clinic agreed to remove it she told me she doubted my symptoms had anything to do with the implant and removing it wouldn't change things. The fact that my mood swings and headaches only started after having the bloody thing put in didn't seem to matter to them. Once it was removed however, my moods got better, my depression and anxiety calmed down and the headaches disappeared. Coincidence?....somehow I doubt it.

I've never had any problems with the pill though. I like the fact that I'm completely in control and I can just stop taking it whenever I want to. I don't have to faff on with doctor's appointments or wait for anything to wear off. I also like the fact that I can run packs together and not have a period and I like knowing exactly when my period will come.

I know I could try other methods but I like the pill and have never had any unwanted side effects whilst on it. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

The pill makes me insane for almost two weeks of the month. I discussed the coil but heard from several people irl and online that it could have similar side effects and gps were reluctant to then remove them on request due to cost etc which scared me off trying it just in case it wasn't right for me and I then couldn't get rid of it.

I eventually came off hormonal contraception altogether.

I was on Microgynon and then Cerazette off and on through my twenties and early thirties. I also went on the injection a few times and tried the implant.

On the pill I was a hormonal mess! Emotional and moody all the time, absolutely no sex drive (so completely missing the point of being on contraception!), my appetite increased massively and I gained loads of weight (3 stone)!

The injection was a bit better, but the bleeding never settled down and after bleeding none stop for 6 months I didn't have it again.

The implant made me suicidal. I ended up on anti-depressants before having it taken out and realising that it was actually the implant making me depressed. It was horrendous trying to get to someone to take me seriously and take it out! I ended up threatning to cut it out myself before they finally took it out!

After the incident with the implant I vowed never again to use hormonal contraception, it's like a torture device to torture women with! We just used condoms for years after that until eventually DH had a vasectomy.

Although incidentally, it's obviously quite different for different women. Although hormonal contraception has never agreed with me, my DSD has been on the mini-pill since she was 15 (now 22) and it's a lifesaver for her. She suffers terribly with heavy periods and they've all but stopped because of the pill so she's very happy with it.

I had the implant for 4 years and it was amazing for me, no side effects at all, periods remained regular and I felt fine.

Before the implant I took Cerezette, which was okay but made me spotty and I had more headaches than usual but other than that it was fine.

I went on the combined pill at 14 to deal with acne and irregular, heavy periods. It worked well as a contraceptive once I became sexually active and I stopped taking it after 10 years to try to conceive.

Due to breastfeeding I chose to go on the mini pill after having my baby. It did not work well for me and I got irregular spotting. I stopped after 3 months and as I am still breastfeeding my 16 month old I have chosen to use barrier contraception.

My skin is awful and I have really bad acne now but my libido is much higher than it has ever been when I was using hormonal contraception.

I'm on my second implant. I love it.

It's the one form of contraception available that doesn't come with a risk of forgetting to take it, falling out or getting stuck with a needle every few months. Yes, your arm does bruise up a peach for a few days afterwards and it's not an entirely pleasant experience getting it put in/replaced/taken out, but then again, childbirth ain't no picnic. I would sooner have my arm sliced and diced a little every three years than see that lovely John Wayne walk reappear again post birth

Period's have stopped pretty much altogether apart from very occasional light spotting. I've saved a small fortune on not needing to buy the monthly supplies. I also don't have to put up with feeling gross for four days a month now - no cramping, no hot water bottles at bedtime, no feeling sorry for myself and no needing to take several showers a day to stop feeling so icky. For me, there's something really disgusting feeling about using sanitary products. Personal hygiene's very important to me, perhaps on a slightly obsessive level at times, and my periods always used to make me feel like I was...unclean, maybe?

Sex life hasn't been affected at all.

Moodiness isn't a problem. I have good and bad days like everybody else, but they're symptomatic of a good or bad day. I never really suffered from time of the month mood swings though. I just used to feel quite sorry for myself.

Weight gain - I've put on just over a stone. And I know it's related because when my last implant ran out, it took me quite a while to get an appointment to get it replaced (a mix of waiting times at the docs, crazy working hours and summer holiday plans). During that time, the pounds literally started falling off of me and I wasn't doing anything different dieting or exercise wise. Personally, I'll take the weight gain whilst reaping the overall benefits.

I was on the pill between the ages of 16 - 31. Had a few breaks of 3-4 months when I noticed my libido rocketed and I felt much happier. Have always been lethargic aand fatigued - dr denied it could be anything to do with the pill. Am now 7 months pregnant and have honestly not felt anymore tired than when taking the pill. I will not be using hormonal contraception again in a hurry.

On the injection and it is brilliant.

No periods and no monthly mood swings.

Slight difference of mood every 3 months, but less xtreme than I used to get every month, and only 1/3 as often.

I have put on weight but I am fairly certain that's lifestyle-related rather than hormonally-related.

I was on the pill from 18 to 28. Doctor told me it was recommended for use for more than 10 years and told me I couldn't use anything hormonal anymore (potential clotting risk due to SLE). Then had 10 years of TTC, miscarrying, being pregnant, breastfeeding when contraception wasn't really an issue. Currently using abstinence and condoms. Roll on menopause.

Tried the pill in younger years but the mood swings did me no good. Then started getting serious atypical migraines (involving loss of sight, face and body numbness etc) so couldn't go back on the pill when I wanted to try again in later years. Tried the implant instead and nearly ended up on antidepressants - the GP insisted I was depressed but I refused drugs and went for counselling. The counsellor listened to me for ten minutes, and said 'do you have an implant? Because you're not depressed'. I got it taken out two days later and within 3 months was back to my old self. My body does not appreciate having its hormones messed with. I was offered the mire a coil instead, but having had two cervical cancer scares with stage 2 and 3 cells, I didn't want anything being inserted which might cause damage and cause cells to mutate/multiply. So we ended up doing a mixture if co dims and withdrawal method until we started TTC. And I got pregnant, at 37, after ONE DAY, which makes me wonder how on earth we never ended up pregnant by accident previously! After baby is here it will be much more careful use of condoms, then either snip for DH or wait until we've had second child if we decide to.

I have tried lots of different types of contraception, cilest pill,the injection and the copper coil. I'm onto my second implant and it's by far the best out of the lot when I was turning 30 I had my first one put in and reached 30 and was broody as hell so after a year me and my partner decided to have another baby, I was also worried about how long this might take as I hadn't had a period for a while with the implant. I got it took out and was pregnant within 2 months! So after having our son I have got one straight back in and will get another when this expires. I've had no mood swings I think
Lots of people think they look vile in your arm but it's a small price to pay....

I have used the mini pill, implant and the depo injections all of which have made me a hormonal mess... Over a period of 10 years I have tried various things and returned back and forth to my gp when things have gone wrong. At one point bleeding for over 3 months.
Now Im lucky my husband opted for the vasectomy and saved me the stress of contraception.

I have had an implanon implant for 3 years, came off that to conceive dd (had one period, got pregnant the next month so no problem there) and I am now on nexplanon having had it put in 8 weeks post partum.

I love it. No remembering to take a pill everyday and the thought of having to have something inserted into my cervix like the cool freaks me out.

I find that my libido is probably lower than if I'm not on it, but as I have been on it for 5 years bar my pregnancy and my libido was probably higher anyway at 23 than 28 with a nearly 2 year old it doesn't bother me that much.

Most of the time I forget it's in my arm but do like to check it's still there every now and again. Insertion and removal I find quite hard, I'm not good with needles and blood but the benefits outweigh the negatives for me.

I had very heavy periods before my implants. My periods on implanon were lighter but still heavy and I am finding the same with the nexplanon, although they only returned around 6 months ago due to breast feeding and are still settling down I think as I have gone a couple of months with no period, then last month I had one that lasted 2 weeks!

I will be having it taken out next year when it's 3 years are up and we will be ttc again at that time. And I will be having it put straight back in as soon as I can after birth!

For me it works at the minute and I'm happy with my contraception choice.

I had a mirena fitted after having three babies in three years. I thought it was fine, but when it came renewal time, the doctor couldn't get the new one in. A specialist appointment took three months to come through, and by that time I had realised the the mirena was contributing to depression, mood swings and general brain fog. I didn't get the second one fitted. Nine months later - fourth child. (Wonderfully!) My husband went for the snip after that.

I had the implant in 2011, had it removed in 2012. I ballooned from a size 14/16 to a size 24, what felt like overnight. I also lost my libido, but I'm not sure if that was a self esteem thing or a side effect.

I was on the pill on and off, for about 10 years, from my late teens onward.

I bloated.
It killed my libido.
And second time around, even trying about 4 or 5 different pills - lower dose, various phased pills etc, I bled almost constantly.

I've not been willing to try any other form of hormonal contraception, since then

Moodwise, btw, absolutely flat. No more PMS, but nor did I ever feel any excitement.

I've had a series of Mirena coils since 1994 - I think my loyalty tells you how well it's worked for me. The only mood change is the complete lack of pmt; I haven't had a period for over 20 years which has been bliss. It's now part of my hrt programme. I consider myself very lucky indeed that I've been able to benefit from it.

I was on the combined pill from 15-20 ish then depo injection for a few years until constant bleeding and lowering natural hormone levels made me ditch it. Then cerazette for a few years With micronor and microgynon thrown in.
I came off all contraception about a year ago.
I had no idea what it felt like to be horny and have a libido. I have lost relationships due to my moods and lack of libido.
I feel I was sold a lie by the family planning doctors. They didn't care when I was in their consultation room begging for help with the constant bleeding. I was told to give it another 3 months...
Even now, they keep trying to push long term hormonal methods on me.
I'll be sticking to barriers from now on I think. I simply don't trust them to act in my best interests.
I have lost huge chunks of my sexually active life to this crap.

I took microgynon for years with no problems and then after about 10 years started getting horrendous headaches and migraines. Stopped as soon as I came off. I have tried several of the single pills (can't remember the technical term!) but they messed my body up completely - periods every week, became miserable and teary over all sorts of stupid things. Tried going back on microgynon as had been quite a few years and headaches immediately returned. I loved how reliable the pill was but eventually couldn't put up with the side effects so have stopped taking them and am much happier.

I started on microgynon aged 19 and it was fine. Then aged 23 I started getting really spotty and got horrendous headaches during the pill free period and ragey really easily. I swapped to loestrin 20 and got weird blood rashes all over my body which the doc thought must be totally unrelated. I also had a huge drop in libido; so much so that I refused sex on my wedding night . The rashes disappeared when I came off that and I cannot remember what I went onto after that but it was good.

After DD I asked for Yasmin, hearing good things about it and its been fine. I would prefer not to be on it and keep badgering DH to get a vasectomy as my libido is definitely better pill-free. I do not want to try any implants or hormonal coil after hearing so many horror stories. I am put off the copper coil as I get terrible ovulation pain and I worry I will be the same as my mum and develop terrible periods in my 40s which the copper coil could exacerbate.

Was on some pill before children- can't remember which one- no problems.
Then went on marvelon and felt like I was losing it. Really snappy and horrible to everyone, couldn't stop crying and really thought I was getting depression or SAD in a bad way. Also had break through bleeding all the time.
It was a nightmare. Went back to GP who said that if marvelon was bad, then no other pill would be better. She pushed the coil which I refused.

I Looked on mumsnet and there were plenty of other people with marvelon issues so went back.
Now on femodene which seems to suit me. No extra bleeding, no more depression and tears. Libido is not great, but I'm not sure if that's the pill or my life in general!
I wish DH would consider a vasectomy tbh. Not sure what we'll do once I have to stop the pill (apparently soon as I'll be 40 in 2 years)

I've been on Microgynon and Yasmin. The first time I was on Microgynon I was 19 and at university. I had mood swings, I was constantly on the verge of tears and I would get so angry all the time. I had no libido during this time. I had no idea what was wrong with me, I thought about killing myself. I ended up losing my relationship and nearly losing my job.

I had a break from the pill, I can't remember why now and then went back on to microgynon after a year or two. I soon went back to the same pattern of uncontrollable crying, uncontrollable rage, feeling suicidal and I took it out on those close to me.

It was a while before I realised the link between my moods and the pill and I asked to change. This time I was given Yasmin.

With Yasmin I soon started experiencing the mood swings and depression and I gained about 2 stone in weight. Eventually I just stopped taking the pill. Me and my partner use condoms. I'm amazed he stayed with me after how I treated him while I was on both Microgynon and Yasmin. A few times I was nearly violent towards him, I never crossed that line but I was so out of control I'm surprised I didn't. I did self harm though.

I was originally given the pill to help control my periods. Nobody warned me about the extreme affects it could have on my mental state. Whenever I think back to it, it makes me so angry because I had no idea what was wrong with me. I would never take any type of hormonal contraception ever again and when my daughter is older I will strongly warn her against it.