Would you rely on condoms for a year?

[Disenchanted3]

I've just come off the pill as it is causing me to bleed after sex. I don't do well on hormonal contraception and it also makes me very stressed/angry/ unpredicatable.

Since coming off it I have been alot better, but have been taking anti-Ds too.

We do want another child so we can't do anything permenant and because I'm feeling 'normal' for the first time in years I don't want to start anything new (depo made my sister and mum REALLY ill and implant made my sister bleed for 4 months!- i get very ill when I bleed)

So its come down to condoms.

To be honest we aren't at it like rabbits, but I just feel nervous after a few threads on here.

Its really not the right time for another, but we can't get the snip.

I suppose the best thing to do would be avoid mid cycle and always use condoms.

I wouldn't rely on condoms unless I wanted a baby.

I don't know what to suggest really, other than perhaps a copper coil, but some women bleed heavily on them too.

I know you say you don't want to start anything new, but have you thought of the IUD? It's easily reversed for when you do want to TTC & you can get a non hormonal copper one.

Or what about doubling up with condoms & diaphragm? (I would not recommend diaphragm on its own, bit too much room for user error. Others may disagree).

I can't risk continual bleeding, EVERY ime I have had a period since 14 I have had 3 days of migrane and get a mouth full nof ulcers

Hmmm, maybe condom and diaphragm.

Have similar issues with hormonal contraception, so got a copper (not Mirena) coil.

It's not ideal; had to get the strings cut cos they were poking DH, periods are a bit different though not massively, and it has made deep penetration a bit uncomfortable at certain times in my cycle. But that's it, a lot less side effects than any other contraception I've tried so far.

Barrier methods like condoms and the diaphragm are a bit crappy in a long term relationship IMO, but if you think you could rigourously apply them then go for it.

DH and I have always used condoms. It kept us baby free for 3 years before we got married, and then we conceived DS 2 weeks before the wedding - so it's not like we struggle with fertility IYKWIM.

We've used them since DS was born and now we're just starting to try for another baby. We'll use them again after that, and then when that baby is a couple of years old we'll see how we feel and if we don't want/can't afford anymore children then DH will have the snip.

IME if you use them correctly then they are very very reliable.

I got pregnancy on the copper coil and the pill.

The only method I rely upon is condoms. I definitely would not rely on the copper coil.

DH and i have always used condoms, we've been together since we were 18! so just over 14 years, we've had 3 mishaps, 2 we knew about for which i took the morning after pill and have DD1 as a result. However, thats not bad in over 14 years of use!

Not to go off on a tangent, but it's interestign about the ulcers OP. I have the same and thought I was the only one. Is it something hormonal?

What about persona, condoms, map for accidents? I think you would have to be really very unlucky or super-fertile if you got pregnant after that lot after one year.

I've relied on them for 12 years. Only got pregnant when I wanted to get pregnant.

Same as others, I've relied on them for over 6 years. No splits or scares in that time.

Got pregnant first time not using any contraception, so no problems there either.

DH and I relied on condoms for 5 years before we decided to start trying to get pregnant.

Never had any problems, just need to be organised and make sure you've got condoms in and they are used correctly - DH very good at taking responsibility though.

They're not perfect but for me they are seriously better than the hellish time I have on anything hormonal.

have you seen someone about the migraines and ulcers?

We've used condoms for the last 10 years. No unplanned pregnancies (touch wood!).

Sounds pretty positive then!

It wouldn't be the end of the world if I fell pregnant but want to leave at least a year to try and get myself sorted.

I'm sort of in the same position OP, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and it took forever to understand my cycles when I came off hormonal birth control. Was off it for 3 years before I got pregnant, and now that I've got DS (10mo) I don't want to go back on anything hormonal. I'm scared of the coils as is DH, so we're on condoms for the time being until we are ready for another baby. If it happened now it wouldn't be the end of the world, but given how long it took me to conceive the DS, I'm starting to think we should drop the condoms now! I haven't even had a period yet, but am still BFing so I guess that is normal?

We've only ever used condoms as birth control. No probs here.

Have used condoms for birth control during periods of my life

No unplanned pg's

They are reliable when used properly, and for extra peace of mind, avoid mid-cycle shagging

Doesn't mess with your health, and can be quite fun

Hey, and no wet patch and post-sex drip

Brilliant!

We used condoms for a couple of years without any accidents, it wouldn't worry me.

Especially as you know you definitely do want another baby at some point.

Well I've only ever used condoms,and I've never had an unwanted pregnancy.(I'm 46) and the same is true of my best friend.I think condoms are great! I got pregnant like a shot when I stopped using them,(as did BF too)so neither of us had fertility issues,she has used them for 28 years and me for 23.(although i had a chunk of time without a partner,but she has been with her husband all that time.Quite a few of my friends use or did use condoms and not one has had a pregnancy,I think they work really well if you are sensible and use them properly.

I've had two kids on condoms so I would say try something else. I might just be incredibly fertile though

I've never had an unplanned pregnancy. I think I've worked out how condoms work.

The biggest "problem" seems to be people who don't understand they need to be placed upon the penis when having sex.

Condoms here for the last 3 yrs with no mis-haps, and for a year in-between DS1 and trying for DS2.

Great for no mess! (romantic !)

I know my cycle well and have read "Taking charge of your fertility" so we go without them once or twice before my period but NEVER mid-cycle obviously.