Would you recommend Persona?

[Fionn]

I've just come off the pill after about 20 years on and off and we're using condoms but a friend has just suggested using Persona. I'm a bit sceptical as another friend became pregnant whilst using it, which I don't want to run any risk of! I stayed on the pill for so long because I felt it was 100% reliable and I really don't want to become pregnant again. But I do like the idea of not having to use condoms when "infertile" and wondered if any of you had had any good or bad experiences of it.

DO NOT use Persona unless you don't mind getting pregnant. In a previous relationship I used it (accurately) for a few months and got pregnant. My relationship broke up, I had a termination and now have to live every day with what I did - all because I didn't want to use condoms.
Please think carefully before buying one.

I use Persona and am quite happy with it, but it's not the end of the world if I did become pregnant (in fact, I think it makes a nice little gadget to plan pregnancy with as it shows ovulation days nicely!!). I think if you absolutely musn't get pregnant then it isn't the contraceptive for you.

I think the Persona is alright if its OK if you DO become pregnant. If you definately DON't want to be pregnant again, I wouldn't run the risk.

There's also another thread here

Persona is excellent if you want to get pregnant (and this is actually what it was initially developed for)- ie if you want to know when you are most likely to conceive. It is a crap contraceptve though. Like many people I know someone who got pregnant whilst using it as a contraceptive (she didn't mind though). If pregnacy is definitely a no-no then I would steer clear of persona.

I highly recommend the Mirena Coil With the added bonus of no periods! What more can a girl ask for?

No, Persona most definitely does not work. I kind of knew this, but thought that because we hardly ever have sex, it wouldn't matter. But of course it only takes once... I'm now 12 weeks pregnant with #3 and haven't been able to bring myself to tell my boss or my mum yet, despite starting to get distinctly rotund.
The sticks also cost a fortune.

like everyone else - only if you want to get pregnant! but it does seem a bit perverse . . .
every single person I know who has used it as a contraceptive got pregnant and the only person I know who used it to try and get pregnant - didn't.

Well, I'm glad I asked! I've decided not to buy one based on all your comments. Sorry to hear about your experience Itwastraumatic. I don't like the idea of having a coil fitted. I don't actually mind condoms that much so will probably stick with them. The funny thing is, I came off the pill without really thinking about it - we hadn't been getting on well and hadn't had much need for contraception over the past couple of years, so last week I thought there's no point taking it anymore. After a long chat we were OK again, and since then my libido has definitely returned. I know the pill is supposed to reduce your libido but I never had that problem pre-children. So my main reason for staying off it now is that I don't wabt to lose my sex drive again!

Dannie, many many congratulations on your pregnancy !!!!!