Hormone free contraception?

[Belle89]

What do people use?
Thinking of diaphragm if I can get one locally though unlikely.

For some reason this barrier method which would seem quite a good option compared to condoms does not seem to be at all popular. I have assumed its because it uncomfortable to insert and messy with the spermicide. The few times we tried a Femmidom it was a fiasco to insert. Also it seems inherently more risky than a condom although its probably not. Might be worth a try.

The only other non hormonal methods I am aware of are the copper implant and the somewhat unsatisfactory rhythm method or withdrawal. Although a hormonal method we have found the Merena coil a good option although the arm implant didn't work at all well for my DP. Could be worth a trip to the GP Family Planning Clinic to have all the options. Wonder what the status of the male pill is, its been on the horizon for years.

Is a permanent method off the table? DH's vasectomy was the best thing we ever did.

copper coil

Somewhat unsatisfactory rhythm method or withdrawal
Understatement of the year!

I got a caya diaphragm from amazon. Easy to insert though haven't test driven it yet!

I've been looking at the caya diaphragm, does in feel.comfortable. Have tried everything else can't get on with anything containing hormones. Had a merina coil that moved resulting in scan and hospital removal so copper coil also ruled out.
Vasectomy off the table for now. Maybe after one more we have one each from previous relationships but none together. All in good time

Sorry awful typos!

Hold the phone, you can buy diaphragms on Amazon now?? In my day they had to be fitted and prescribed by a nurse!

I can't feel it once it's in but as I say haven't tested it in action. Can't see show dp wouldn't feel it but they say they shouldn't.

They're a new type so 'one size fits all'. However I suspect they will be OK for some but not everyone depending on your cervix position.

I can't take hormonal contraception, condoms don't work for us at our age and I'm unlikely to get pregnant anyway (in perimenopause and not having enough sex ). Don't think I would have trusted them as only method when I was younger.

Just wanted to point out the Caya is one size fits most, not one size fits all. It is suitable for anyone who has been fitted for a 65 - 80 mm traditional diaphragm. They are available in amazon and elsewhere. My local sexual health clinic isn't currently supplying the traditional diaphragm due to a shortage but say they are happy to check the sizing of a caya which has been bought online.

I am in a Facebook group for diaphragm and cap users and quite a few women on there combine diaphragm with withdrawal for increased effectiveness (diaphragms are not as effective as condoms when both are perfectly used). I have only used mine a few times so far and haven't used withdrawal, but I am perimenopausal, and this probably not overly fertile.

I also thought my boyfriend would definitely feel the caya, but I have asked him and he says he didn't /doesn't.

I don’t like chemicals messing with my hormones, l have an active sex life and have been a condom user for many years. They keep me save and healthy.

I’m a little confused about the Caya. It claims to be natural but, like the diaphragm you need to use spermicide with it. Spermicide natural? Hmmmmm!

I’ll stick with condoms. They are also handy to pop in my make up bag, so always with me. Last time l said this on a forum (not MN), l got called names.

I had to really push to get a diaphragm AND be fitted for it. Which was an embarrassing failure. They give you one with a hole in it and make you insert it there and then so they can check you're doing it properly. I simply couldn't do it despite contorting myself. It was a faff and quite difficult as well as embarrassing.
My dh had a vasectomy and its excellent.

The makers of caya actually recommend using it with cays gel /contragel rather than a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9. Caya gel is spermistatic (reduces the motility of sperm) rather than spermicidal. Ingredients are Lactic acid, Sodium lactate, Cellulose, Sorbic acid and Water.

I had a traditional milex diaphragm to start with (never used it during sex though) and I found that easier to insert than the caya. I have to insert the caya sort of sideways to make sure it covers my cervix (I think to do with my slightly off centre cervix). However I find the caya a lot easier to remove than the milex - I managed to bend the rim of the milex removing it while I was practising insertion/removal.