I'm 29, just been told I can't take the pill any more - and I want to be sterilised

[colditz]

I think I am as sure as I ever will be that I don't want any more children. I have 2 sons and I don't want another baby.

how do I think my way through this?

Fear of pregnancy is going to ruin my sex life. I am TERRIFIED of becoming pregnant.

Doctor says he thinks I might change my mind.

he was very concerned about me NOT having my normal combined pill though, he said he would be very unhappy to prescribe it again.

He was also concerned about my kidney pain

All in all I didn't really get to discuss it - he gave me an appointment with the gyn nurse to discuss contraception and a scrip for the mini pill to tide me over.

i'd book in to see your FPC. but i'm going to warn you right now, they will try to get a Mirena in you quicker than you can say quick.

If Colditz is a person who knows her own mind then why ask for others' opinions?

All I can say is that no one knows what the next 15 years might bring. What you feel and think at 29 is not the same as at 39 or 45. I can only say that as I have been 29, 39, 45 and am now in my 50s.

If you can say hand on heart, 100% that you never want another child- and accept that your circumstances might change in ways that currently seem unimaginable- then go ahead and be sterislised.

Interesting that I seem to be saying the same as the dr (who must see lots of people who have regretted the decision)and everyone is against my opinion.

I'm in a similiar position to you. I had my son nearly 11 years ago and knew almost instantly that I would not plan to have another. Years later, a broody thought has never crossed my mind, in fact, I'd be mortified to find I was pregnant.

I'm 32 and am considering speaking to my GP about sterilisation. I've been on several pills over the last 16 years with awful consequences. My most recent 'try' a few months ago literally changed my personality, I felt awful, paranoid, tired, depressed, absolutely no libido. I would rather never have sex again and feel 'normal' than feel like that. Because of this exeperience, I will not take hormonal contraceptives again, and am reluctant to keep relying on condoms.

I would be interested to hear how you get on colditz.........

There's a book called 'childfree and sterilized' about young women who choose to be sterilized which you may find intresting.

lou031205 sorry. I am not sure why you are asking me this question as it appears you already know the options.

My comment was to colditz regarding her wanting to think her way through it. If this is what she wants then that is up to her but I was pointing out that it is an extreme route.

supergreenuk, your statement was "There are plenty of other options". I was merely asking what options you were referring to, as for someone who cannot take the pill for migraine reasons, any hormonal contraceptive is going to be ruled out. And most non-hormonal routes are less certain than someone who absolutely does not want to be pregnant would want.

If you have doubts, then you might consider other options as other people have said.

If contraception fails, then there is the morning after pill- if you know you are at risk.

As alast resort there is termination.

You could also double-up using a coil and condoms.

You could also double-up and avoid ovulation days.

I think if you are careful it is quite possible to avoid pregnancy by using other methods apart from the pill. I had 35 years of fertility before I was menopausal. I was on the pill for only 3 of those years, and have 2 DCs- which was my intention.

Only be sterilised if you are certain that you might never ever change your mind, whatever happens.

Well as I said in my last post....you have answered your own question lou031205 and I don't feel this conversation is very helpful to coldit and others have also suggested options so I will opt out from here.

I am sure you will do what you feel is right for you and that is what is the most important thing.

God bless.

Tnaks for your input, all.

another vote here for the Mirena!! Bloody brilliant!

Colditz - have read all the thread and if I were you I really would ask for another opinion with another doctor.

You are old enough to know your own mind - why take that risk with fallible contraception choices when you could be put on the waiting list for the sterilisation. Your doctor is a GP - he is not there to be the higher authority in your moral choices.

Don't be pressure into a Mirena either - I am another person who got pregnant on it (and iirc that is one of the most reliable contraceptives).

AS per ususal I agree with expat.

colditz If your GP won't consider your request for sterilisation ask to see another GP. If you can show that you are fully informed as to the pros and cons of surgical sterilisation then they cannot reasonably refuse you. As far as I am aware there is no NHS policy, NICE guidelines or otherwise that stipulate that you have to a certain age to be sterilised.

lou031205 migraines are only a contraindication to oestrogenic hormonal methods ie the combined pill. Assuming no other contraindications you should be able to use progesterone only contraception such as the POP (minipill), injection, implant and Mirena.

Colditz, I was sterilised at 28, my decision and I had a few reasons why I wanted it done. I was made to see a counsellor before the final decision was made, but glad it was allowed.

The first few periods I had after getting it done were really painful, but other than than, I've had no side effects. Libido the same, no more pains and no worrying about getting pregnant.

If you have valid reasons, there is no reason why your GP shouldn't allow you to get it done.

I completely agree with expat.

SO you might meet someone else and they might want children. So what? You made a decision, you deal with it.

Children are not the be all and end all of women.

I am terrified of getting pregnant. I am 29, with 2 children and 1 abortion.

We use condoms and every month I worry before my period.