Non-Hormonal Birth Control

[discoballdave]

Bit of background: 35, mother and sister went into early menopause between 34-38 (full blown, not peri) so expecting peri symptoms soon, three gorgeous kids (final baby born in the Spring) and we're done with children.

In May I had a Nexplanon implant put in. I've used around 6 implants in the past with zero bleeding and zero issues. This one is actual hell. I don't stop bleeding, my hormones are all over the place - it's really not working for me this time. Scheduled removal at the end of September.

What non-hormonal birth control methods do you recommend? I had a Mirena coil 2018-2020 and the pain was unreal (cramping several times a month that felt like full blown labour) and upon going in to remove it it was lost in my uterus and we needed the help of an ultrasound to get it out. For this reason (and heavy bleeding) I'm thinking the copper coil is a last resort but I know it's the gold standard of the non-hormonal options.

If you're using non hormonal birth control, what do you recommend? I'm seriously considering just using condoms so I can figure my cycle out while DH is on the vasectomy waiting list but I'm open to other options and experiences.

I used a diaphragm for a while (in the last 6 years) and found that really good, but it got increasingly hard to source and in the end I gave up and we just used condoms.

I've thought about a diaphragm but I've read that if you can't reach your cervix it's no good. I have a tilted uterus and my cervix is very high and tilted toward the back so I've got no chance of being sure it's in place unfortunately.

Even when your husband has a vasectomy there will be a few months where you could still get pregnant and there is also a risk that it doesn't work long term as tubes can reconnect.
Abstaining maybe the best option if you're not comfortable relying purely on condoms.

Can you be sterilised? I've had my Fallopian tubes removed. Keyhole day surgery and nothing changes hormonally