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OK, So what's the best/least hassle/least side effect form of contraception you have ever used?

71 replies

RnB · 15/04/2005 15:31

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happymerryberries · 18/04/2005 16:52

R&B, you would have to check with your gp, or more possibly the family planning clinic since not all gps can fit a coil and leave it to the experts. There are three different types of diaphragm with diffenet types of springs, with different degrees of bendiness, IYSWIM. When you saycurved under do you mean that your uterus pints backards? If so, no worries, I have that and used the diaphragm with great sucess.

RnB · 18/04/2005 16:55

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happymerryberries · 18/04/2005 16:56

That is what mine is like and they fitted me no probelm. They do take a bit of getting used to and should be used of getting pg would be a disaster but I thought that it was fab!

RnB · 18/04/2005 17:05

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happymerryberries · 18/04/2005 17:09

In general they are less reliable than using a condom, but not by a lot. I used mine as a baby spacing device (IYSWIM) rather than a baby prevention device. If you know that you don't want a baby for a period of years then you might be better looking at the coil.

spacedonkey · 18/04/2005 17:10

mirena

completely and utterly hassle free

RnB · 18/04/2005 17:11

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happymerryberries · 18/04/2005 17:12

For lots of women, yes. Not everyone.

hotmama · 18/04/2005 17:13

I found putting on 4 stone a very effective method of contraception

hotmama · 18/04/2005 17:17

Depends if getting pregnant is something you definitely don't want. I used Persona for ages and was fine - had sex on a red day on purpose and got pregnant.

I think Persona is as reliable as condoms.

spacedonkey · 18/04/2005 17:20

it hasn't stopped mine completely but they could hardly be called periods now, they are so light

Abitskint · 18/04/2005 17:20

I find this thread interesting. I'm on the pill and would like to give it up (partly cos my libido is a bit iffy), but don't want to go back to condoms, couldn't manage a diaphragm (I have "Funny fingers" so crap manual dexterity, putting the thing in would probably take me hours!). dh will not even consider the snip.

Also I'm getting on a bit, so probably approaching the menopause. Does anyone here over 40 have the mirena coil?

Abitskint · 18/04/2005 17:22

Oh meant to say, absolutely MUST NOT get pg.

laa · 18/04/2005 18:55

I'm finding this really interesting too. Just had 3rd baby and previously used condoms, but can't be bothered with all the hassle - and the fact we always forget to buy them, so run lots of risks..!! (baby 3 was slightly earlier than planned !). I wa thinking about a coil without hormones. Are they as good as the Mirena, do they hurt or can youfeel them and do they increas the risk of pelvic infection? We haven't entirely ruled out the idea of a 4th baby - although our bank manager would!

lunavix · 18/04/2005 18:59

Injection for me.

No periods, no cramps, once every three months, fantastic. And I'm not pregnant yet!

Was on the combined pill before and fell pregnant 4 times on it, taking it the same time every day, not forgetting any.... Also had cramps, bad periods, and it's just the hassling of taking another pill every day.

Never really used condoms, too much faffing around and would never remember to buy them.

sansouci · 18/04/2005 21:17

After trying practically everything under the sun, I've gone back to the coil -- the one without the hormones. I'm actually quite happy with it. Lots of bleeding but none of the bloating, weight gain, headaches & other worrying side-effects I got on the many different pills I tried or even with Evra (the patch). This is my last attempt with birth control before going for the tube-tying or asking dh to get the snip. I musn't get pg again.

sansouci · 18/04/2005 21:20

re Mirena, didn't like it because periods stopped completely & I kept wondering if the menopause had arrived. Not looking forward to that, oh no!

bonym · 18/04/2005 21:40

I've posted about this before, but the best, most hassle-free contraception I have used is the Fertility Awareness Method which involves charting your cycle on a daily basis by taking your temperature every morning and being aware of your cervical mucus. Tbh, like (I imagine) the majority of people, before I started I thought it would be a huge hassle, but was fed up of the pill (complete lack of libido);neither dh or I like condoms much; thought the diaphragm would take away any sponteneity and didn't like the thought of injections etc. I thought there had to be a good, viable alternative, and after a bit of research discovered this.

Anyway, I found it dead easy to follow the method (not to mention the fascination of knowing exactly what my body was doing at any point in time) and would now not use anything else (although will be forced to temporarily as am now breastfeeding - conceived really easily as I knew from this method exactly when I was ovulating).

I really feel quite evangelical about this and think it is a shame that it is perceived as being difficult or time-consuming when it is in fact neither of this things. It should also NOT be confused with the "rhythm" method which is notoriously ineffective.

RDJ2000 · 18/04/2005 22:02

I have had the Mirena coil for 3 months, great, no condoms, still bleeding on and off, but getting lighter and lighter, should stop all together in time, no side effects, I had the Copper coil before my second baby, I had really heavy periods, stomache cramps the lot, didn't want that again so im trying this one, going well so far. My doctor said is was as good as being steralized, 2 in 1 contraception.

chronicshopper · 29/04/2005 15:49

I have been on mirena for 2 1/2 years. I have gained about 20 lbs. I have always been a size 5 and now I am a 12(us sizes). My breast are very tender all the time and my libdo has dissapeared.
I am afriad to have it removed because I do not want to have anymore childern but my husband and I do not like the permanacy of sterilization. I a wondering if anyone has expierenced weight gain with mirena. doctors seem to feel that mirena has no side effects. Are they crazy!! It has hormones in it!!!

oldlady · 03/05/2005 08:14

Had mirena fitted about two months ago, now noticing continual bloated feeling although don't believe any weight gain - anyone else out there suffered with this. Also had the acne at the outset but this has now cleared along with the itching skin. Doctor fitted coil because of heavy periods but noticed that fairly frequent spotting occurs now which is more of a nuisance than having a period. Being almost 50 realise that the menopause is on the way but wonder if its better to put up with the problems that brings that have something foreign inserted. Any help out there

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