Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sex

You need to have been registered for 7 days to post in the Sex forum. Please don’t send unwanted PMs to other users.

Original poster

What are fat women supposed to use as contraception?

119 replies

toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:06

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?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 10/02/2023 18:27

Think Kyleena and Jaydess hormonal coils are smaller than the mirena so might be easier to insert than the mirena if you haven't given birth.

Jaydess only lasts 3 years rather than 5

dementedpixie · 10/02/2023 18:30

Different hormones can have different effects even if they are the same type. I tried 2 mini pills before settling on the 3rd one which was cerazette. Then had the mirena and now nothing as dh had a vasectomy

Teeshirt · 10/02/2023 18:30

I’m not fat but DH and I have used condoms for years. They are very effective.

Original poster
toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:30

dementedpixie · 10/02/2023 18:27

Think Kyleena and Jaydess hormonal coils are smaller than the mirena so might be easier to insert than the mirena if you haven't given birth.

Jaydess only lasts 3 years rather than 5

Actually, thinking about it, I have trouble with smear tests because the standard speculum is too large. The coil may be problematic...

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 10/02/2023 18:31

I had the depo as well but it made me bleed and put on weight

Never tried the implant

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 10/02/2023 18:32

toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:13

@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.

My mum has had a coil for years. Started having issues with it and doctor didn't want to take it out. Then it was found to be getting tangled within a fibroid so needed to be taken out asap. Then the hospital lost her records and no one will now deal with it as it's so tangled up (copper coil I think). It's now been in for well over 30 years and is one of the reasons I didn't get a coil put in despite being allergic to the pill.

Boynamehelp · 10/02/2023 18:34

toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:13

@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.

Depo or implant? Do you want children?

Original poster
toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:34

Teeshirt · 10/02/2023 18:30

I’m not fat but DH and I have used condoms for years. They are very effective.

I had a condom fail in my youth, which I'll never forget. I appreciate these things are rare, but I'm one of those people who likes to have a back up plan. I'd feel more comfortable using condoms AND a hormonal contraceptive.

OP posts:
Original poster
toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:35

Boynamehelp · 10/02/2023 18:34

Depo or implant? Do you want children?

Show quote history

I don't want kids, but I've been denied (non-contraceptive related) medication before due to being of child-bearing age (and the medication having side effects on pregnancy). So I'm not convinced I could persuade a doctor to sterilise me until I'm slightly older.

I would consider sterilisation if it was a real option.

OP posts:
IloveRickyGervaisAndHisTeeth · 10/02/2023 18:36

Depo-Provera injection every 3 months

OrlandointheWilderness · 10/02/2023 18:37

I would personally say that if you haven't had children having a coil inserted can be incredibly painful.

CC4712 · 10/02/2023 18:37

Check if you have an NHS family planning clinic near you. Often combined within sexual health services. Generally run by nurse specialist and gynaecologists and have far more knowledge of latest contraceptive advice than GP's IMO. They also had far more time to go through my history, contraceptive issues, lifestyle etc.

I had some issues with the oral pill, and at various times used the nuva ring and then the patch. I was told that the nuva ring- being so close to the ovaries and be slow release, had less side effects that the oral pill- and it did for me. If no NHS family planning nearby, ask to see a different GP at your surgery.
Best of luck.

mnahmnah · 10/02/2023 18:41

I’m going to echo what others have already said - depo injection

RingRingRingGoesTheTelephone · 10/02/2023 18:42

Why can't you use condoms? I haven't taken the pill(or any other contraception) for nearly 10 years, I have been pregnant 4 times in that time, all planned and all conceived first month trying. We are definitely fertile. If you use them properly there's no reason to fall pregnant. I made it clear over 9 years ago when I stopped taking the pill I would never be taking the pill ever again. I have no interest in putting unnecessary hormones into my body (it sapped my sex drive, which kind of defeated the object!), nor will I be having anything inserted anywhere either. So that leaves protected sex or the snip, my husband hasn't got as far as booking a consultation so I won't hold my breath.

Noshowlomo · 10/02/2023 18:43

Our fatness as a deterrent? (I say in jest as a fat person!!)
Years ago when I was too fat for the pill I started using condoms and withdrawal method…
it’s shit!!

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 10/02/2023 18:43

I am overweight and 10 years into copper coil use. Love it. Never ever need to think about it, it’s highly reliable, and it doesn’t mess with my hormones.

I took Microgynon for years when I was younger/lighter, and only realised after I stopped to try for kids how badly the side effects had affected me. So after I was done with pregnancies, I didn’t want hormonal contraception anywhere near me.

It did make my periods heavier for a while, but meh. Personally I can deal with that far more easily than the side effects of hormonal methods.

TerfIngOnTheBeach · 10/02/2023 18:53

I had a Mirena coil, no periods for six years and took five minutes to remove, pain free.

wasn’t comforTable to insert though but it was worth it.

lmnabc · 10/02/2023 18:53

"Actually, thinking about it, I have trouble with smear tests because the standard speculum is too large. The coil may be problematic..."

OP you are looking for problems with everything. There are virgin size speculums. If a willy can get in, a small speculum will.

LifeIsHardAlways · 10/02/2023 19:04

The patch? Wear it 3 weeks out of 4 if you have side effects just remove it.

dementedpixie · 10/02/2023 19:11

The patch is a combined contraceptive and the nhs says not suitable if you're over 90kg/14 stone so it will depend on OPs weight as to whether it would be ok for her

stclair · 10/02/2023 19:21

My mirena coil disappeared somewhere up inside and a gynaecologist removed it under ultrasound. It wasn’t traumatic at all.

Rainbowshit · 10/02/2023 19:21

OP you are looking for problems with everything

It seems that way doesn't it?

OP if you don't want a baby (or maybe your reticence over this says you do?) then you'll have to pick a least worst option.

Original poster
toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 19:41

RingRingRingGoesTheTelephone · 10/02/2023 18:42

Why can't you use condoms? I haven't taken the pill(or any other contraception) for nearly 10 years, I have been pregnant 4 times in that time, all planned and all conceived first month trying. We are definitely fertile. If you use them properly there's no reason to fall pregnant. I made it clear over 9 years ago when I stopped taking the pill I would never be taking the pill ever again. I have no interest in putting unnecessary hormones into my body (it sapped my sex drive, which kind of defeated the object!), nor will I be having anything inserted anywhere either. So that leaves protected sex or the snip, my husband hasn't got as far as booking a consultation so I won't hold my breath.

As said previously, I've experienced a condom fail before, which makes me reluctant to use them as the sole form of contraception.

A previous GP tried to get me off the combined pill when I turned 25 because of my age (I was a healthy weight then).

Now in my 30s, I'm told my age isn't necessarily a problem after all, when it comes to hormonal contraceptives, but my weight now is.

OP posts:
Rebellious23 · 10/02/2023 19:44

toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 18:26

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?

I had really bad anxiety on the pill. Couldn't find one that suited me
Then I got pregnant - on a not fertile day on the pill and using a condom Confused
So I wanted something more effective!

Original poster
toofatforthis · 10/02/2023 19:44

CC4712 · 10/02/2023 18:37

Check if you have an NHS family planning clinic near you. Often combined within sexual health services. Generally run by nurse specialist and gynaecologists and have far more knowledge of latest contraceptive advice than GP's IMO. They also had far more time to go through my history, contraceptive issues, lifestyle etc.

I had some issues with the oral pill, and at various times used the nuva ring and then the patch. I was told that the nuva ring- being so close to the ovaries and be slow release, had less side effects that the oral pill- and it did for me. If no NHS family planning nearby, ask to see a different GP at your surgery.
Best of luck.

This sounds interesting, given the Nuva ring releases both oestrogen and progestogen. Weight might still be a contraindication, but it's not an option that's been discussed with me before so I don't know if they'd definitely rule it out.

Did you have any negative side effects with the ring?

OP posts:

This topic prevents users from posting on it until they have been members for at least 7 days.

Swipe left for the next trending thread