Contraception options

[PJBanana]

I'm off travelling with DP next year (for an unknown amount of time) and have started to re-think my current contraception.

At the moment I'm on the pill (Ovranette), and I've been on it for about 8 years. No issues really, I very occasionally forget to take it on time so we have to be careful for a few days, but no real issues with heavy periods/weight gain or anything like that.

I'm just worried about trying to keep up with the pill while travelling. Firstly because of needing to take a large supply with me (or having to get hold of it in other countries), and also taking it across different time zones and when we won't really be living to a 'routine'.

I've been considering the implant or the coil, but having read the NHS website I can't really decide, plus a lot of horror stories are putting me off!

Does anyone have more knowledge in this area have any advice?

Anyone?

Have you considered the depo injection? I have had this for years and never had a problem.

Implant etc are a good idea, but you need to try them out long before you go, in case you are one of the ones who bleed all the time on them.

It is possible to get more than the 6 months if you go to the doctor and everything is ok.

If your trip is more than 6 months away I'd suggest trying the implant - most people have slightly random bleeding for the first few months, but for most it settles down to nothing or a manageable pattern. Significant minority though find it doesn't settle down in which case you'd want it out before travelling.

Thanks for your replies. I looked into the injection but was a bit concerned that it won't last long enough.

The implant looked ideal to be honest but yes I was a bit concerned about the constant bleeding. We're looking at going around Feb/March next year, so if I had one fitted in the next few weeks would that be soon enough? I'm really keen to try it, even though I would be a tiny bit worried! The sooner the better I suppose!

It might be different for you but I gave up on the implant, as after I had it put in I bled for about 3 months.

Could you ask the doc for an extra injection to take with you? In some circumstances you're allowed to do it yourself.

Personally, I'd go for a coil (probably a mirena). The fitting can be a tad uncomfortable, but is over quickly enough.

I had one before having DC and loved it. It was a no brainer in terms of contraception and after a few months, my periods stopped altogether.