Is the pill the best contraception I could be on

[katienana]

I'm 37 and I've been using the pill since I was 20 with a few breaks for child bearing!
Finding that my periods are quite heavy and painful these days. I find it inconvenient to remember to take it daily, but I like being able to run two packs together to miss a period. I'm a non smoker, no issues with blood pressure and I'm a healthy weight. We don't want any more kids.
The pill I'm on is Millinette. In the past I tried other brands and they gave me awful skin problems. Millinette is probably the best pill I've used but would I be better trying injections or an implant? I wouldn't want to swap to something that doesn't have that element of control over periods.

The contraceptive implant is very hit and miss with periods. The first implant I had I had no periods for three years which was amazing, the second implant I had started off with sporadic periods every few months and then settled on monthly again after about a year. However for actual preventing pregnancy I think it's great as you say no forgetting to take a pill and lasts three years before you have to think about it again. Mine had no effect on my mood although some say it does.

You should understand that millinette is a combined pill. (Meaning it has both oestrogen and progesterone substitutes in it)

These types of contraceptive are the most effective because they stop ovulation altogether.

Mini pills and implants/ minera etc are all progesterone only contraceptives. They are not as effective because they don't stop ovulation but instead work by making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg and work to expel any fertilised egg from the uterus.

There are also different long term pros and cons to these alternative methods.

Combined pills reduce the rate of ovarian cancer. However they increase the risk of blood clots. There are other examples you should look up.

But overall from a woman's health point of view the best options are condoms or vasectomy.

I use a nuvaring because I'll forget to take the pill everyday. You put it in for three weeks then take it out for a period. I've tried implant and my periods and spotting were all over the place

I had the patch because I struggled to remember to take the pill. Each patch lasts a week.
You could also try the ring.

Like you, one of my primary motivations for being on long-term contraception is control of my periods. I was on the injection for a while, but didn't get on with it - 14+ day periods every now and then, with spotting in between. I've considered the Mirena coil, but it seems nothing really offers the same control as the pill.

The advice has changed in the last few years and you can run more than 2 packs together.

Forgot the link sry, under 'Tailored Regimes'

www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/

Thanks for the responses. It doesn't seem like it is worth changing really if I'm not having any real issues with the pill I'm on.
I did use the mini pill for a few years and it was OK for me, it was initially because my dad had had a heart attack at 50 so my risk was raised. A few years later the advice changed so I went back to the combined pill, it was better with not having to take it at the same exact time each day.

I'm extremely lucky in that I've never had any problems with the pill. I was on Regevidon from when I was 16 until I came off it when I was 21 when my husband and I wanted to ttc. I never had any problems at all.

I had my baby then at the 6 week check I went back on it as I was exclusively formula feeding. I specifically asked for that one because that's what I was on so it seemed to make sense.

I had problems taking it. It made me feel sick and I couldn't take it. So I switched to Microgynon 30, and it was the best thing I've ever done. It was better for me in every way.

As I say I've never had any problems with weight gain or my hormones or anything else. I always make sure I take it at the same time every day. On my first pill my withdrawal bleeds were fine. On my second they were slightly shorter and lighter, it just works better for me. (I know I've been told in the past they are exactly the same. But I can't explain it. It was the doctor who suggested I change so I assumed there must be some differences). Now I take my pills back to back, without my week break. I do this for 6 months. So I take 6 strips in a row without a break. Then I have a break for 1 week, when I have my withdrawal bleed. Then I start again for 6 months. So I only have 2 bleeds a year, or a bleed every 6 months, as the months do not follow the calendar January to December.
It's brilliant and doesn't impact on me at all

I couldn't imagine having proper periods. I'd hate it. When I was off the pill ttc I hated it so much. Again I never suffered with my proper periods before I was on the pill, I had no cramps or anything. It's just the pill makes it much easier still. And I know it’s not recommended and I AM NOT suggesting that anyone else does this or tries this, but it works perfect for me so I’ll stick with it.

You seem to like many aspects of being in the pill.

It might be worth considering a mirena if you do decide to change. Has a lower failure rate than the pill and many women find their periods stop (can be unnerving!)