Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

contraceptive question

42 replies

booyhoo · 30/06/2009 20:10

im not sure if this is the right place or not so please direct me if its not.

im considering my options regarding contraception and would like as much information as possible about the different methods that people use.

i did take the pill for a very short time when i was 18 and found i got headaches and stomach pain while doing so. i know these are common side effects of most contracptives that release hormones into the body. however it is not what has actually put me off the pill. my gp has informed me that the pill doesnt actually prevent concepton taking place but prevents the egg embedding in the uterus. this is something that doesnt sit well with me and so i have decided that i only want to use a contraceptive that completely prevents conception. my gp suggested using the rhythm method. how reliable is this?

i am also very reluctant to take anything like the pill that changes the hormonal balance in my body.

up until i became pregnant with ds2 i had always used condoms but OH has said he would like to not have to use them forever. i can see his point so have told him i will look into our options.

if anyone can give me any information regarding this or let me know where i might find out what i need to know, i would be grateful.

OP posts:

Babbity · 30/06/2009 21:23

get yourself to the family planning clinic, if there's no expert in FP at your practice.

I have used pretty much every form of contraception there is and am also a FP trained GP, and I think you need better advice.

Barrier methods are fine - I've used and really liked the diaphragm - but both diaphragm and condoms have a high failure rate:
condom perfect use 2% typical use 15%
diaphragm perfect use 6% typical use 16%
(so 100 couples using condoms ill have 15 pregnancies over a year)

If you can live with that then there's your answer. If you can't you could combined with fertility awareness - most FP clinics have an ancient and wise FP nurse who will teach fertility awareness to motivated couples. Or you could use Persona + condoms/diaphragm.

Otherwise you need something that reliably prevents ovulation: the combined pill, cerazette, mirena or the implant. the mini pill (other than cerazette) mostly works by acting on cervical mucus so less effective.

HTH a bit?

expatinscotland · 30/06/2009 21:24

we use persona+condoms and abstinence.

still wish DH would get the snip, though.

Babbity · 30/06/2009 21:27

(aside: THIS is why IMO religion has no place in medicine. Crap advice from a biased doctor who is not putting his patient first, and not passing her on to someone who can give unbiased advice in the best interests of the patient, as per GMC guidance. Unprofesional unethical and wrong.)

Original poster

booyhoo · 30/06/2009 21:31

thanks babbity, that does help alot.

what is persona? thats the first ive heard it mentioned.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 30/06/2009 21:33

it's a device to help you determine when you are or near ovulation.

you wee on sticks the same way you do a pregnancy test and then put the stick into the Persona device.

Babbity · 30/06/2009 21:35

... but unlike all other methods it's not available on the NHS, though can be bought online or from Boots etc. Sticks are not cheap either. But some people love it, and rate it highly.

Original poster

booyhoo · 30/06/2009 21:36

how long have you been using it expat? any slip ups?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 30/06/2009 21:39

been using it since DS was born nearly 8 months ago and before that, for a year between DD2 and DS.

i can't use combined hormonal methods because of hypertension, progesten-based contraception does not agree with my body and i don't like how the copper coil works.

ShowOfHands · 30/06/2009 23:00

Hello again.

Yes FAM great for us, no slip ups at all. I know when I'm fertile as have very obvious signs- ewcm for a couple of days, then a headache, one-sided low down pain and backache. I don't want anymore children and would not risk this method if I didn't trust it. I am lucky to have a regular and extremely obvious cycle.

The book somebody linked to above- Taking Charge Of Your Fertility- is very, very good.

FAM's great. Reliable, free, non-invasive, no manufactured hormones.

Original poster

booyhoo · 30/06/2009 23:27

thanks SOH it does seem as though that is going to be our choice of contraception. although as OH isnt here right now we will have to discuss it. am going to get that book.

OP posts:

mears · 30/06/2009 23:33

expat - if you are sure you family is complete then get sterilised. It is immediate effect (unlike vasectomy) and I really found that the procedure was fine. You would feel liberated which would be worth it. I wished mine would fail but that is 15 years ago now that it was done.....

Babbity · 30/06/2009 23:43

...but bear in mind failure rate for vasectomy is 1 in 2000 (lifetime) which is a lot better than female sterilisation (1 in 200)

mears · 30/06/2009 23:48

That is true Babbity but Expat and I have had numerous conversations about this over the years (where we don't agree) and she will know where I am coming from

My personal belief is that women come to a natural end regarding fertility whereas men don't. For me it was more natural to become sterilised as pregnancy was less likely to be safe due to increasing age. Marriages may end and men are able to have other families with younger women. If my marriage ended, I would be too old for babies anyway.

mears · 30/06/2009 23:51

I suppose also, I know a number of women who have been sterilised and not becoame pregnant.

I am not too sure how accurate the figure of 1:200 is TBH. It certainly is higher when done at CS and most obstetricians will advise women against having it done then.

Mine was done when DD was 3 months old. More often it is advised after baby is 1 year old.

expatinscotland · 01/07/2009 00:47

'expat - if you are sure you family is complete then get sterilised. It is immediate effect (unlike vasectomy) and I really found that the procedure was fine. You would feel liberated which would be worth it. I wished mine would fail but that is 15 years ago now that it was done..... '

mears, why on earth should i have to go into hospital, which would be overnight for me because i'd have to go closer to glasgow and they won't day release patients who live out here, undergo GA, have my abdomen blown up with gas (which sorry, but that hurts for a lot of people) to have an operation with incisions and the potential for dangerous ectopic pregnancies, when it's a half-hour procedure for him?

HE is sure his family is complete, too, so i don't see why i should be the one to undergo yet another GYN/OB procedure.

expatinscotland · 01/07/2009 00:51

i also have that damn hyperthermia, too. another reason GA isn't exactly a walk in the park for me.

he doesn't like the idea of vasectomy, then he can use condoms and wank during my most fertile times.

i don't see why i should have to endure more needles, indignity and pain just because i'm the female.

mears · 08/07/2009 21:35

Fairdos Expat - forgot about your malignant hyperthermia. (delayed response - just back from holiday).

Get him told...

Flip

1 2