Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

The contraceptive pill - for and against

33 replies

schnapps · 19/10/2005 13:47

I've recently stopped having the depo jabs after 8 years because of bad bleeding and am thinking of going back on the pill (I was on it as a teenager). Ideally I would be sterilised because I know I definitely don't want to have any more children but I really can't put myself through the surgery. I've already posted about sterilisation and I know it is a really simple procedure but I really can't go through with it, having the coil fitted is also a no-go. I know I'm a complete wimp and most people don't seem to understand but even having a smear is extremely traumatic!

Anyway, I don't seem to have many other options, I don't really see using condoms as a long term thing (because I'd like it to be more spontaneous sometimes!) and so that brings me to the pill. Apart from having to remember to take it everday, can anyone tell me any other disadvantages please? And does anyone take it more regularly than 3 weeks at a time in order to prevent periods?

TIA [snile]

OP posts:
Original poster
schnapps · 19/10/2005 13:47

opps

OP posts:
nailpolish · 19/10/2005 13:48

has the same side effects as the depo, doesnt it not? same hormones.............

northerner · 19/10/2005 13:49

weight gain
loss of libido

WigWamBam · 19/10/2005 14:01

I sometimes used to run a couple of packets together to stop having a withdrawal bleed if I was on holiday or something. You can only do that easily with a monophasic pill though.

As far as I know nailpolish is right; there is the possibility of the same side effects as the depo, depending on which pill you take and what the level of oestrogen is.

Oh, and I got pregnant while I was taking the pill, which is not the kind of side-effect I was expecting

LynnC · 19/10/2005 14:03

I went back on pill after dd and have been on it for 6 months and only recently stopped. Like you was on it as teenager so didnt see any problems starting again but hormonal was not word for me, mood swings, weight gain (although that might have been all the choccies ha..ha) loss of libido. I just wasnt myself. I dont have any proof it was the pill but I'm starting to feel my old self again now I've stopped - think nailpolish right they might have same hormones.

I did in the past carry on taking the pill when going on holiday to prevent period coming but never long term - not sure if that would be ok or not?

Hope it works for you if you go for it.

sandyballs · 19/10/2005 14:04

Total loss of libido when I was on the pill, would rather have watched paint dry than have sex . Now use the withdrawal method but it isn't ideal with a man who wants a 3rd child .

Original poster
schnapps · 19/10/2005 15:13

Well, it isn't looking too promising then! It looks like all the hormone contraceptives have the same problems, in which case it's just a case of choosing the best of a bad bunch. Does anyone have any other ideas? Oh I really wish I could just be sterilised and be done with it!!

OP posts:
nailpolish · 19/10/2005 15:15

vasectomy

quicker and less risky that a sterilisation

expatinscotland · 19/10/2005 15:16

Cheaper, too, nailpolish . DH has decided it's the way for him.

FangAche · 19/10/2005 15:29

Schnapps - You say you are a wimp when it comes to surgery or things being messed with down below, but what would happen if you got pregnant again???!

3 of my Mums 4 children were conceived whilst on the pill.

So if you KNOW you don't want anymore EVER then you really need to do something more permanent.

I hated the pill. I piled on weight, kept forgetting to take it, had awful mood swings. And will NEVER go back on it.

Is another pregnancy more acceptable to you than going through having a coil fitted?????

nailpolish · 19/10/2005 15:30

fang is right

i have a coil (a copper one therefore no hormones and no side effects)

and its fantastic

FangAche · 19/10/2005 15:30

DH having a vasectemy is the ideal solution!

FangAche · 19/10/2005 15:33

Think about the labour, healing if you tear, all the internals, scans etc etc etc.......

Or the awful prospect of going through a termination if you really didn't want another baby.

Aren't the above prospects more daunting than 10mins lying on a bed talking to a GP about your cervix...and the weather?

NotActuallyAMum · 19/10/2005 15:35

I've been on the pill for 17 years. It took 3 attempts to find one that suited me cos there are so many but, apart from going up a dress size within 4 months of starting it, I've had no problems at all. I like the convenience of it and yes, I often take two packs (and sometimes three!) straight after one another to stop my period. I know it doesn't work for everyone but I've been fine

Why not give it a go? If it doesn't suit you at least you tried

Bugsy2 · 19/10/2005 16:05

on the positive side. I love my current pill - Yasmin. Haven't gained any weight, no PMT, no period pain, very light periods. Only down side has been a degree of breast tenderness.

Original poster
schnapps · 20/10/2005 10:39

Thanks to everyone for your replies

I think I'll give the pill a try before deciding about being sterilised, although I know that would be the best option. Definitely better than the consequenses of becoming pregnant, I just need to get my head around the idea of having the surgery done. And also not sure about the liklihood of a doctor agreeing to do it.

OP posts:
FangAche · 20/10/2005 10:41

Schnapps - Why would a Doctor not do it?

The only reasons they won't do it is if you are very young and could change your mind?

Gobbledispook · 20/10/2005 10:51

I've come off the pill because it just made me feel 'flat' - that's the only way I can describe it. Just sort of emotionless and my libido is low too. Off the pill my hormones are more up and down (obviously!!) but this is better I find - I have horrible raging PMT a week before my period, which is not great, but at least the rest of the time I at least feel frisky

There's no doubt it's one of the handiest methods though in terms of effectivess and convenience. In the end we've gone for the old snip for dh - he's just given his first 'sample' so hopefully we'll soon need no contraception. Condoms have to be the worst ever and that's what we are relying on atm. Crap!

Original poster
schnapps · 20/10/2005 12:33

I'm as sure as I could ever be about not wanting more children, and I have been for years. I'm absolutely certain that nothing will change my mind ever. The problem is that I'm not in a long-term relationship, I only have one child (10y) and I'm only nearly 30.

Whadd'ya reckon?

OP posts:
FangAche · 20/10/2005 12:37

Schnapps - In that case I would say categorically that you should NOT get sterilised! You never know how you'll feel if you meet the man of your dreams..... fall in love.... then he says he would love to have a baby with you!

NotActuallyAMum · 20/10/2005 13:02

schnapps PLEASE don't get sterilised!!

I say this because all my life I was convinced I didn't want children and was more than happy to be a busy auntie to 10. Last year when I left my long-term partner after 14 years so many people said that when I meet someone special I might change my mind - which at the time met with a resounding "Oh no I won't!" Then a few months later I met my current DP, whom I fully intend to stay with forever, and guess what?? Yes, after a few months with him I changed my mind! Problem is he's had a vasectomy so now I'm going to be childless forever

It was, of course, my decision to stay with him instead of finding someone who I can have a child with, but some days it makes me so sad

I can't say, of course, whether you will or won't ever want any more children but please don't take the choice away yet - you may regret it

FangAche · 20/10/2005 13:07

NotactuallyaMum - That is so sad.

There are ways though that you CAN be a Mum. Can he have a reversal? Or is he very sure he doesn't want anymore. I just can't imagine what you must be feeling.

NotActuallyAMum · 20/10/2005 13:24

FangAche he won't have a reversal - I don't really blame him, he had a really bad time when he had it done in the first place and I wouldn't expect him to go thru that for me. And he does say that he wouldn't want any more even if he could - which is OK for him because he has a dd - but at least he's honest. And he did tell me very early on in the relationship that he couldn't have any more children so I can't really grumble - it's not his fault I changed my mind. Also, there are no guarantees that a reversal would work anyway and as I'm very nearly 34 and he's 38.5 we haven't really got lots of time on our side

I have generally accepted it now, tho I do get bad days sometimes and I have to admit when it's bad it really is bad - I can't watch an advert for nappies without getting upset!! Silly me I know...but I wouldn't be without my DP - I want to be with him more than I want a child so I just have to keep reminding myself of that

FangAche · 20/10/2005 13:28

NAAM - I really hope thats a decision you willnever come to regret.

NotActuallyAMum · 20/10/2005 13:32

Yes me too, and I do realise I'm taking a very big chance on that....

Schnapps - really sorry - I've hijacked your thread a little!! But I hope my story makes you realise that life really can change your mind about these things