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Original poster

Help! What contraception for 35 yr old?

29 replies

Grockle · 01/09/2013 18:05

I haven't had to think about this for many years & I am apparently too old to go back on the pill. My GP was quite unhelpful & just listed other options without explaining about them. Having googled, I still don't know what is best.

I am forgetful. I have a very irregular & unpredictable cycle (25 - 90 days) & can have very heavy periods. Ideally, I'd have no or few periods or at least would make my cycle predictable, which is why I liked the Pill.
I'm in a new relationship & don't imagine we'd want children any time soon.

So, what are my options?

OP posts:

QueenofClean · 01/09/2013 18:10

Coil..either copper or mirena (hormone based). They last between 5-10yrs. I had a copper coil between my DD's and was the best option for me...I could forget about it and not have to remember to take the pill. However, I did have a monthly period. You may not get that if you have a mirena.

jellybeans · 01/09/2013 18:12

Mirena.

ilovepowerhoop · 01/09/2013 18:14

mini pill or mirena or copper coil

Sparrowlegs248 · 01/09/2013 18:16

I was on the depo provera jab for 7 yrs. No periods, no pmt, no mood swings!! It was fab. BUT i had my last jab in sept 2012 - they last 12 weeks. It took until june for my period to return. So can have an impact of try to concieve. My GP recommended the implant if i want something else as apparently once you have it removed you are back to normal.

AnyoneButLulu · 01/09/2013 18:16

Is it just the full pill you can't take, or would the mini pill be OK? The implant is the most reliable method in your circumstances if you can tolerate the minipill-type-hormones, and it may leave you period-free (but maybe not).

ilovepowerhoop · 01/09/2013 18:18

mini pill is fine for women over 35. I have never met anyone happy with their implant and the depo jab made me bleed all the time and put on hundreds of weight

AnyoneButLulu · 01/09/2013 18:25

I know people happy with their implant, and the OP sounds as if the minipill would be a risky choice for her.

ilovepowerhoop · 01/09/2013 18:32

she was already taking a pill though so would be doing the same as she used to.

Tigresswoods · 01/09/2013 18:34

I'm 33 & got the implant just before Christmas. I couldn't be happier. It wasn't painful to have put in, has no horrid side effects & I've had 1 period & a couple of little bleeds.

I'd always been on the pill before but with DS's arrival I found I'd become distracted/forgetful.

Do it!

AnyoneButLulu · 01/09/2013 18:35

Full pill you can get away with the odd lapse in memory, minipill you really can't.

NoComet · 01/09/2013 18:43

I've happily taken the mini pill for the last 12 years, now 45.

Started, because it's BF friendly, after DD2 was born and continued because she continued BFing for many years.

At approaching 40, there was no point in risking the combined pill and why swap to the coil when the mini pill gives me fairly regular, very light and painless periods.

missbopeep · 01/09/2013 18:52

Many drs now believe that you can safely take the combined pill if you are not overweight or a smoker until you are 50. I've never heard of anyone recently being told to come off it at 35. My gynae who is an eminent consultant gynae/obstetrician says that if you don't smoke you can take the combined pill up to the age of 50 unless you smoke.

I'd change your GP or go to a FP clinic for more up to date advice.

Original poster

Grockle · 01/09/2013 19:26

I think the mini pill would be too risky for me - I'd forget & I know that's not such an issue with the combined pill. I'm scared of a coil because I know several people who have had babies when they've had a coil. It makes me feel like it's not very reliable. And I don't know how it impacts periods.

I will look around for info on combined pill - if I could stay on that it'd be great although a coil or implant would be better, as far as remembering goes. Can you have an implant taken out? How big are they?

OP posts:

Tigresswoods · 01/09/2013 20:39

You can have it taken out. V simple. It's like a little rod under the skin. About a cm long & thinner than a matchstick. I am evangelical about it. Will never look back

Original poster

Grockle · 01/09/2013 20:50

Tigress... I was reading about it and it sounded perfect til it said you can't have it if you have Lupus, which they think I do

OP posts:

Tigresswoods · 01/09/2013 20:53

Oh no, that's a shame. Clearly if it rules you out then fair enough but I can't understand why it's not more popular. When my Dr fitted it he did say "it's very popular with young people" so it's official, I'm down with the kids.

Original poster

Grockle · 01/09/2013 21:44

lol @ 'down with the kids'

The nhs website doesn't mention Lupus so I don't know. Will have to ask. Thank you for all the advice.

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 01/09/2013 21:49

www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex-and-relationships/medicines/nexplanon.html - says use with caution in women with lupus

hellymelly · 01/09/2013 22:44

Condoms. Easy, you can't forget them, and they work really well with no side effects.

Timeforabiscuit · 02/09/2013 07:27

I have an implant , it's fantastic for me as I am rubbish with pills (AKA Dd2).

It's about 5cm long under the skin in the inside of my upper arm -I never have to think about it.

Like you I wasn't sold on the copper coil, though I have heard positive stories on here about them.

Timeforabiscuit · 02/09/2013 07:31

Double check with a sexual health nurse about the lupus , if its not a straight no- it may be you are compatible with it depending on risk factors?

lotsofcheese · 02/09/2013 07:32

With Cerazette you can be up to 12-hours late taking it (ie same as combined pill) & apparently it reduces/stops periods

ilovepowerhoop · 02/09/2013 14:18

cerazette stopped my periods for the 3 years I took it (apart from the occasional very light one). As a pp said there is a 12 hour window for taking it which is the same as the combined pill.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 02/09/2013 16:21

I am working on DH having the snip, but I appreciate that might not be a solution for you, OP
Condoms though, for a new relationship?

fedupwithdeployment · 02/09/2013 16:37

I'm 42 and still on the pill. Works for me, although I know the Dr would prefer I wasn't. DH is still talking about the snip....

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