What are fat women supposed to use as contraception?

[toofatforthis]

Feeling very frustrated.

I'm apparently too overweight for Microgynon.

I tried Cezerette, and it made me depressed. I tried Norgeston, and it made me bleed non-stop, to the point where I ended up anaemic.

I'd ask for sterilisation, but I doubt I'd get one on the NHS due to not having had children.

I've heard horror stories on MN about getting the coil removed, and it's put me off completely. Plus, if I react badly to the coil or the implant, it means I won't be able to immediately stop the cause of the symptoms.

I could get Microgynon by lying about my weight, but I'm not sure lying is the correct solution.

So... what do other women do?

A stupid title.

condoms
femidoms
spermicide
abstinence
rhythm method
all other pills
coil

plenty of people can’t have the pill for reasons other than being overweight. they survive.

Mirena coil was a godsend for me. Have you had kids? If so it shouldn't be a major issue having it inserted or removed.

Are you with the same partner? Is it a ling term relationship? Would they consider vasectomy?

I'm on my third coil. Getting it removed is a piece of piss. It just comes out like a tampon.

Having one put in is not particularly pleasant but it's over fairly quickly.

I'd really recommend a coil. You know millions of women have them without issues right?

The copper coil is non hormonal so unlikely to give you adverse symptoms.

My third could is a mirena. Best thing ever. No periods at all.

I was told the same, I had the implant then oh got vasectomised

@Sparkletastic I haven't had kids, no - I read that you can have the coil without having had children these days, but I've read so many posts about women who have had trouble getting their doctor to remove them for whatever reason. The lack of bodily autonomy makes me feel really uncomfortable.

I was in cerazette for years - they told me to take 2 because of my weight. Then years later they decided I could actually just take one.

The risk factors are less if you don’t smoke, drink and you regularly get your blood pressure checked.

There are lots of other options though. You just have to weigh up risks/priorities.

It's only one thing you can't have? You can use every other form of contraception. It's also a very small minority that's effected. You have to be in the 'extremely obese' category to be denied the pill.

Noriday is a 3rd mini pill you could try

@Osteria OP can't take the combined pill due to weight.

I had the mirena coil and it worked well but had to be removed under general anaesthetic when it expired as the strings went awol

What about the implant? I had that and it stays in for 3 years, did give me bad cramps every now and then though but worked a treat!

OK, this is the sort of story about the coil that puts me off!

I do worry that having tried two mini pills with extreme side effects that a third is not going to be any better. The combined pill had no side effects for me when I took it in my 20s, which is why I am so frustrated I'm apparently not able to take it.

My GP thinks my best option is to take Microgynon 30... after losing weight. So basically telling me to stay celibate for a year.

They don't like to remove them really soon after insertion because they are expensive and often side effects settle after a few months so they want you to give them a fair chance.

It is easy enough to get them removed when they expire.

I had very annoying bleeding for the first few months with mine but it settled down eventually and I then had 10 years of hassle free contraception and no periods - result!

I use condoms, but now DH has had a vasectomy so once his 'reservoir is fully drained' we can stop those...

I hate all hormonal contraception and had a nightmare with the coil, but condoms are great for us.

It's very new, so far too new to broach vasectomy.

I don't feel confident relying just on condoms, given he has children, so I know for sure he's fertile!

You need to find another GP

I am overweight :( anyway I have the implant. No issues. No period's. All good for me.

Diaphragm? Plus condoms and/or cycle tracking depending on how nervous you are.

Depo injection?

If you really are worried about body autonomy then the last thing you want is to get pregnant……… your body will never be yours again! 🙂

get a coil!

Cool is fine for most women. You only hear of the horror stories.
If you have a good pain threshold (childbirth, piercings, tattoos, periods, injections) you’ll be absolutely fine.

I was very reticent about getting a Mirena for the same reasons as you: fear of it not working well for me and then not being able to get it removed.

In the end I got one in July because I had run out of other options (gynae issues had made me so anaemic that my hair was falling out). It's been nothing short of life changing. Had a bit of spotting for 2 months and since then - nothing. No periods at all. It's amazing.

I think it's worth bearing in mind that what you read on here isn't representative. People who comment are generally people who've had a terrible experience or a great one. The people who find something just ok and functional probably don't comment.

So in summary: Mirena coil is a yes from me.

The implant can be taken out easily - the nurse at gp just does this and all symptoms will go once its removed.

OK with coil you might have to wait a while to get it removed but I've never heard of this with the implant!

I don't have children and I'm on my third copper coil. Best contraception I've used

The implant and Mirena coil both release progestogen, which is what the mini pill does... so doesn't that make them likely to have similar side effects?

The copper IUD is non-hormonal, so I guess maybe worth exploring? @Rebellious23 , can I ask, what made you try the coil?