Contraception advice needed - not sure where to post this

[JoshandJamie]

I was going for conception board but this is the reverse of that.

I fell pregnant with DS1 while on the pill. Not sure how or why because had been on the pill for years and can only put it down to changing brand of pill.

Was on injection (depo provera) after DS1 for 6 months, then went off it thinking it would take me ages to fall pregnant again. It didn't had DS2 pretty sharpish thereafter.

Have now been on depo provera again since DS2 was born ( 3 or 4 shots I think) but don't want to continue it as it supposedly causes loss of bone density and it kills my libido (which I guess is contraception in itself)

I am now contraceptive free and am using abstinence as a failsafe. But my DH is getting a bit unamused. Not sure what to use. He hates condoms - as do I. And I doubt they would work for us. he's too chicken to get a vasectomy and am not 100% sure I'm ready for him to have one. Don't like the thought of a IUD.

Would like to go back on the pill but because of injection, I dont have a cycle. Haven't had a period for years now. So how do you take the pill when you don't know when to start it??

Any thoughts on what I can use? HAve arranged a dirty weekend for DH's birthday in not too distant future and it would be a shame for it to be not dirty at all.

diaphragm?

Have you thought about the mirena coil. I've had one for nearly 3 years now since having DS (our second). Very light periods, no cramps....fantastic....

It's simpler if you start the Pill at the beginning of your cycle,but if you start it at a different time, then it only takes IIRC 7 days before you can rely on it. Talk to your GP/practice nurse about this.

never used a diaphragm and feel that it falls into the category of 'very likely to fall pregnant on it'. How do you get them in?? And can you feel it? And how do you know they're in the right place?

Re Mirena, my sister mentioned this to me but am not clued up enough on it. Please fill me in?

Implanon - it's an implant about the size of a matchstick that is injected into your inner upper arm. Progesteron only hormone and far lower doses than pill. And it lasts for 3 years

Ok - that Implanon sounds scary. Any known side effects?

Italianjob - IIRC - que?

Sorry if sounding truly thick here. Am truthfully quite well educated, just obviously not on contraception hence two unplanned babies.

|Perhaps you should make an appointment at FPC

Sorry to butt in - but in similar quandary at the moment. I cannot have full pill due to possible blood clotting problems but the mini-pill is giving me bad acne. GP had suggested the implant in the arm, does anybody know if this is likely to also give me spots as it is also progesterone only, albeit a much lower dose? Any advice welcomed as I was starting to consider the coil - which I really don't fancy!!!

I know you´re not keen on the coil, is there a reason or is just one of those gut things you feel about it? I feel the same about injected hormones so I know where you may be coming from. BUT..... I´m on my second coil now, the copper one, not the mirena one and haven´t had any problems at all (first one removed so that DS2 could move in for a while.....). Slightly uncomfortable having it put in, but once it´s there, that´s it for 2 years or so.

Mirena coils contain hormones, the other type have no hormones at all, so often suggested for people who can´t take the pill. Think they are both virtually as effective as each other.

Have you got a decent GP who could suggest what they think may be suitable?

Just moved to a new area so haven't yet seen a GP. But think I need to. Am just so confused about it all. I think it's just the thought of having something inside me that shouldn't naturally be there that freaks me out (even though having something injected should do the same but doesn't)

glad I found this, was pondering same question! Have come off pill as making it impossible to lose weight, but we tried and failed to get used to condoms. Was almost considering using persona - has anyone tried this or am I mad? Another baby wouldn't be disastrous but we're not actively going out looking for one IFYKWIM!

Ive got the Implanon and the only negative thing I can say is it hurts going in and I had bad bruising on my arm for nearly a week! Then all has been fine. No side affects, this is after having lots of probs with the depo.

Would recommend hth

Implanon side effects are similar to any other progesterone contraceptive. In my case I had about 4 months of erratic periods and fairly constant spotting - but on of the reasons I went onto it was because of very heavy prolonged periods, and they've now settled down to regular and medium just like they were pre-kids. Loss of libido is a possible side-effect, but that's the same for any hormonal contraceptive.
I was weighing up either Mirena or Implanon and decided I would far rather have a foreign body inserted into my arm than into my uterus.

Mirena much more effective than the pill. Small doses of progesterone secreted into utereus and not systemic (in the blood) so less side effects too. I'm sure that I can find you a link somewhere or other. One huge benefit (to me) is that periods stop in most women and in others are significantly reduced. After our two I was so much more heavy in the period department . Some say that it puts weight on, but I've lost 2 stone with WW in the last year so I can't agree with that. The only negative is that you bleed continuously for what seems an eternity (4/6 weeks I seem to remember) when it is fitted - but it's worth it.
Try this mirena site

bugger! I meant uterus!!

thirtysomething, dont hold me responsible if you try it and it doesnt work but I used Persona for about 4 years and didnt get pg, then fell pg fairly quickly when I wanted to so in my case it worked!

I also had loss of libido while on depo provera and that's why I'm reluctant to try Implanon or Mirena.
We've been using condoms for years, they're all right and there's wet patches to avoid afterwards! I am getting bored of them now though hence thinking about other options. Why not bite the bullet and get some while you're making up your mind? Having a laugh experimenting with condoms (buy a female one too just for fun) on your naughty night has got to be better than nothing.

Oops I meant there's NO wet patches! Less laundry too