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

A delicate question - which contraceptive do you use?(blush)

174 replies

Sophiev73 · 15/09/2006 15:31

And why? Sorry to ask, but I really don't want to go back on the pill (and dh doesn't want me to either) and I'm not sure how to approach this - I've got 2 boys, (12 weeks and 2yrs) and I'm breastfeeding, but need to address this before our luck runs out!

OP posts:
Blandmum · 15/09/2006 20:47

very much so.

Not 100% but great at cutting down on all sorts of potential nasties

poppiesinaline · 15/09/2006 20:48

Aunt Flo (achem... >. period)

Original poster
Sophiev73 · 15/09/2006 20:48

No nasties here thank you very much...

OP posts:
Original poster
Sophiev73 · 15/09/2006 20:48

Oh. Am very new to this...

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 15/09/2006 21:05

expat VAT on condoms? why does anyone care?

you can get them free on the NHS, just like any other form of contraception

I'm amazed by the number of my friends who buy theirs

BettySpaghetti · 15/09/2006 21:06

I notice that nobody on here uses the female condom -hardly surprising though as they bear more than a canny resemblance to a rustly carrier bag!

Original poster
Sophiev73 · 15/09/2006 21:10

Oh God I had already discounted them..! Agree with Lidl bag resemblance.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 15/09/2006 21:13

We have the most effective contraception of two small children in our bed

lapsedrunner · 16/09/2006 08:08

Another vote for the Mirena coil .

FrannyandZooey · 16/09/2006 08:10

Condoms. Am always surprised at how few people use condoms when IMO they are the least invasive form of contraception. They are free as well if you visit your FP clinic.

FrannyandZooey · 16/09/2006 08:11

oh sorry have read all thread now and see several people have pointed this out

hooray for the humble condom

ghosty · 16/09/2006 08:15

Good old trusty condoms
Don't want the pill or any coil or implant that puts hormones into me ...
Can't be doing with a diaphragm - never got the hang of the slippery little blighter anyway, pinging all over the bathroom - one reason why I have not graduated to a mooncup
Can't trust any withdrawal method (which I thought was the same as the rhythm method - no?)

Furball · 16/09/2006 08:18

Mirena for me too - Love it and am on my second! No periods for 5 years for an extra added bonus.

Blandmum · 16/09/2006 08:18

Withdrawl is gettin out at Cardiff when yo bought a ticket to Newport...ie pulling our before ejaculation....not good since sperm leave the penis before ejaculation and not all men can pull out in time.

Rythym= not having sex round the fertile period....not good since you might not be that accurate

FrannyandZooey · 16/09/2006 08:20

I have never, ever used the withdrawal method. Just don't get it - 1) why would you want to stop just as you are at the best bit and 2) how would you ever believe it is an effective method of contraception?

ghosty · 16/09/2006 08:22

Thanks for that explanation MB (snort @ getting out at Cardiff when you have a ticket for Newport )

Agree with F&Z re. why would anyone use the withdrawal method - far too risky if you really don't want to be pg.

Sugarmagnolia · 16/09/2006 08:34

Since DS was born 3 years ago I have tried:

  1. Mirena coil - had it removed because of constant swelling in hands & repeated "irritation" down below. More recently I actually thought about trying it again but got scared off by the number of people on mumsnet who feel it gave them terrible mood swings & depression. The one person I know who uses it is on prozac and after what I read on here I can't help but but think there's probably a connection.

  2. Dianette pill for 2 years and loved it but not allowed to stay on it for longer due to risk of DVT. Especially good for my skin.

  3. Yasmin pill - ok for my skin but got really, really heavy periods on it - to the point that at least once a month I couldn't leave the house!

  4. Condoms - totally unsuccussful! It just ruins it for DH to the point that he can't carry on - and he has tried. And tried. And tried. Poor thing. (and yes, we tried lots of different kinds, used lubricant etc)

  5. Nothing - as in no sex. For 3 months my skin was fine and my periods were really light. Great contraceptive but probably not good for my marriage in the long run.

  6. Cerazette pill - a new mini pill which is supposed to be as effective as a combined pill. I've been on it 3 weeks so far and hate it. I started it on the first day of my period, which lasted maybe 5 or 6 days. Then started bleeding again a week later! Heavily. Plus my skin is so greasy and spotty I can't stand the site of myself. It hasn't been this bad since I was 16. I'll give it another month to see if it settles down but not hopeful.

Honestly considered a diaphragm but read that (TMI alert!!) not good for use with oral sex because of nasty taste of spermicide. As that is almost always part of our foreplay (I know, lucky me ) had to rule that one out.

don't want copper coil because of heavy periods.

So am considering sterilisation for me or DH but not sure I'm quite ready to make that leap yet. Meanwhile our sex life pretty much sucks. Not sure that was any help to you but at least your not the only one with this dilemna !

fridascruffs · 16/09/2006 10:43

you can get condoms with a vibrating ring which might compensate for the swimming in a raincoat effect a bit. At least for you. Doubt the NHS would stretch to it though, it's not exactly herceptin is it.

Sugarmagnolia · 16/09/2006 10:45

Not sure if that reply was meant for me frida but if so - I'm not the one who has a problem with condoms. It's DH. So not sure the vibrating ring thing would help. But thanks for the thought!

mears · 16/09/2006 10:49

Sugar - why can't you do back on Dianette since you have had a break? - is it your age? do you smoke?

mears · 16/09/2006 10:53

Sophiev73 - have you seen this site

lucykate · 16/09/2006 10:53

mirena, had normal coil before but didn't enjoy the heavy periods. after ds, the doctor wouldn't put me back on the pill as i suffer with migraines so he suggested the mirena. its been in for just over a year and i'm happy with it. did take a while to settle down and it made my hair and skin quite greasy at first but fine now.

Sugarmagnolia · 16/09/2006 10:58

mears - I didn't think you could go back on it. I could ask my GP, although I do smoke occassionally and sometimes get migraines (which i have to admit seem better now) so probably not the best choice for me anyway. I am really stuck. I know I don't WANT more kids but don't know how to make that jump to CANT have more kids. Don't they ask you all sorts of horrible questions like what if you and your partner split up or what if you lost a child. How can you even contemplate such things.

Sugarmagnolia · 16/09/2006 10:59

sorry, just realised that wasn't too clear - still considering the possiblities of sterilisation.

SSSandy · 16/09/2006 11:00

I'm trying out abstinence and finding it very effective but I realise this doesn't work for everyone

Swipe left for the next trending thread