Long term birth control money issues?

[LaceyLitch]

I am currently 22. When I was 16 I went on the pill (microgynon) for about 4 months but eventually gave up as I kept forgetting so opted for the injection which I had 3 times over 9 months. The injection gave me constant bleeding and irregular periods even after I stopped it for the next 18 months. We didn't use any b/c for the rest of the relationship

When I was 18 I had a 2 year relationship and didn't use any b/c, but nothing ever happened.

Met DP at 21 and again didn't use any b/c (after both getting checked for std etc) thinking stupidly for some reason I couldn't get pregnant. Well after being together for 3 months found out I was 8 weeks pregnant, had an abortion and went back on microgynon immediately and have been taking it with out fail for 11+ months. But I hate it. I feel bloated constantly, have 2 or 3 new spots everyday when I have never had spots before and as I am mixed raced my skin scars really easily so now have a load of marks all over my face, get headaches regularly when I used to get maybe 1 a month.

Most annoyingly it has made my sex drive drop through the floor (very effective b/c/ then really!). I find it hard to enjoy sex even on the rare occasions we get going. Crazy as I previously had a very high sex drive. I just don't feel like myself anymore. I told DP I want to stop taking the pill and use condoms instead. He wasn't thrilled, don't suppose many men would be, but said he wants us to both enjoy sex as we used to and doesn't mind what we use as long as we are safe.

So no real problems except the cost. Condoms are so bleedin expensive! Does anyone know anyway you can get free condoms other than family planning clinics (I hate going there and they only give you about 10 each time). In the borough I live you can get a card which you present at any chemist and apparently you get free condoms with it, but I don't know if you are only allowed the bog standard range or what (DP wants a specific type). But it is only valid for under 25's so ok for me for a couple of years but what then? DP is 29 so no help really?

Has any one got any suggestions?

I don't know why you are so against the Pill TBH.
At 22 and with no hope of supporting a child, as you cannot afford a ready supply condoms so you say, then you ought to be going for the best protection you can get.
This is the Pill if taken properly and you could even back it up with condoms now and then if you had any worries- such as an upset stomach etc that reduce its effectiveness.

The risks of the Pill are tiny for someone of your age- being pregnant has more health risks.

Someone mentioned Dianette- this is no longer prescribed as a contraceptive due to the very high risk of blood clots with it. it's only prescribed for treatment of acne under close supervision. (So if anyone is on it go and speak to your GP!)

Weighing up the pros and cons, if I were you I'd try Mirena coil. Bit painful on insertion but small price to pay for years of contraception and not having to remember to use it/take it. And free. God bless the NHS. All this talk of the cost of condoms…just be thankful you don't live in the US where women have to factor in the cost of coils/implants before they go ahead.

But the Mirena doesn't suit everyone - some women have as many side effects as if they take the Pill because it releases progestogen constantly.
The skin problems that the OP had are directly linked to the type of progestogen in the Pill so the best route is to change the Pill to another type with a different progestogen.

BTW, the risk of it falling out is TINY if you've never had a baby. There are certain risks - talk them through with the practitioner (FPA/Brook/GP). Also check www.patient.co.uk

Ltr and condoms here!

We get then free from chemists. No age restriction. You can request different types but will need to check if your chemist stocks them.

We don't have a problem with them.

From a woman's health perspective they are the best choice.

You can get free condoms from the NHS (dependent on where you live) some areas also provide them by post. Just google 'condoms by post' and name the area you live in.

Also check out your local family planning clinic who should be able to provide you with free condoms.

Oh gosh- diaphrams are very dodgy! Not to be recommended if someone is trying to avoid being PG at all cost.

I had a cap/diaphram and used it in between having the DCs when it wouldn't have mattered too much had I got pregnant. They are quite fiddly, need spermicide, have to be left in place for 8 hours, washed, stored, and ready when you need them.

The failure rate is quite high unless they are used really carefully.

Condoms by Post has closed down.

Apparently my local area has free condoms in GPs and A&E toilets. Men's toilets only I'm guessing as I've never seen any. Very empowering.

I disagree that diaphragms are dodgy. Used correctly they are an effective form of contraceptive. The problem with diaphragms AND condoms is that people get careless with them...

Can I just put in a mention for the pull-it-out-at-the-last-moment (I've somehow forgotten the proper name for it ...) method? I know people are sceptical but it's worked fine for us for years, and assuming your DH doesn't want a baby then he has as much incentive as you do to make it work.

Less mess too (well, same mess obviously, but easier to wipe up off your tummy / boobs) which is a bonus, esp as we mostly do it in the morning before getting up for work.

Or only if you want a baby :(

Trouble with withdrawal is it's Russian roulette- one day you will get the bulletsperm.

Sometimes it appears to work because one or each partner is sub fertile, which no one would know unless they underwent investigations..

Otis- my afterthought here- you DO know don't you that sperm are released pre- ejaculation don't you? (as part of the lubrication men have) And that it only takes one?

I know I know ... all I said was it works for us, YMMV as they say on the interweb.

Now that you mention it the sub-fertility point might be valid given how bloody long it took to get pregnant when we were actually trying. Hmm. Anyway, I likes it better than being on the pill or condoms.

After this thread I asked my mum (former midwife and doctor) about the coil. She said she would not have recommended coil for someone my age and did not like it in general as it can cause health problems and problems TTC in the future, admittedly rare. She is generally spot on with medical advice so I have pretty much ruled the coil out.

I am genuinely surprised that more people in LTR's do not use condoms. I understand that condoms can be moment killers but rather 20 seconds wasted than the hell of putting my body through trial and error of birth control testing where I may have extended bleeding, painful cramps, mood swings, spots, weight gain etc.

At 22 and with no hope of supporting a child, as you cannot afford a ready supply condoms so you say We can afford condoms, it's just an annoying expense when other b/c is free and less hassle. You can get a 6 month supply of the pill so why not 6 month supply of condoms? We could also afford a child as we both earn 30k each p/a, we chose not to progress with the pregnancy as it wasn't in anyones (his, mine or childs) interests at that time. As we don't intend to start a family for several years I suppose we will have to 'suck it up' if you will and deal with forking out each month for condoms.

DP is cool with condoms and says he would much rather that than me putting my body through unnecessary stress finding the right b/c. Thanks to everyone who contributed and helped me come to my decision.