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?

You've been told there is one contraception you can't take because it puts your health at risk. They won't give you it bc it may cause problems not just for a giggle.

You can have: condoms, implant, injection, two coils, other pill.

You just don't want to. It's you being fussy not you being fat that's the issue

No, they can't

I removed my own coil. You just pull the strings, it was easy.

Yes they can. I had one for 8 years my pms was atrocious and I was constantly bloated.

I used to rave about my copper coil.

The first time I had it for 4 years, removal was fine.

I got it again, insertion fine but the removal wasn't.

You don't know if it will be the same for you so you can't say that it will be fine.

Hello! This is very helpful post, thank you.

In my trust, I could actually order Microgynon online if I was dishonest about my weight - I don't need to do any in-person screening. I'm not so stupid as to lie about a drug that is apparently contraindicated for me, but it's frustrating to note that I could order it online if I just put a different number in a box.

My BMI is actually under 35 though. Does that mean I'm not actually contraindicated, as long as I don't put on any more weight?

I'm not willing to try any more brands of the mini pill after two of them made me so ill I ended up being treated by my GP for side effects for six months. My GP has outright told me not to take the mini pill again anyway.

I have the same concerns regarding depo. I certainly don't want to put on any more weight, and once it's in your system, it's in your system.

I'm genuinely concerned that if a progestogen-only contraceptive makes me so unwell, then the other progestogen-only contraceptives could have a similar impact. If you're saying that if one combined contraceptive is ruled out, they all are, that really only leaves me with the copper coil.

Do you find that these are difficult/painful to fit with women who haven't given birth before?

If that's easy to remove... surely it's that easy to accidentally dislodge?

Can you feel if it's in the right place? With a tampon, for example, you know if it's not in right... do you know with the coil? And do the strings cause any problems?

Not easy to dislodge as if it's inserted properly it sits nicely within the uterus. But it's very flexible so if you grabbed the strings and pulled you could take it out. Generally speaking that's not an issue though.

The only problem I've ever had with my coil strings was when I'd first had it put in and they poked DH while we were having sex. They softened up and I tucked them 'up' by my cervix and it stopped being an issue. If it carries on your GP can cut them shorter.

I've got my 5th mirena coil in at the moment; I've had them since I was 18. It is sore to have put in when you haven't had children, but it's brief and (IMO) worth it for 5 years of no periods and not having to think about contraception. It's also one of the most effective forms of contraception, and immediately reversible if you wanted kids or it wasn't suiting you.

TBH if it didn't suit me, and I'd left it for a few months and decided I wanted it gone, I'd just go to a family planning clinic and tell them it was due for removal or that I wanted to start a family. They don't quiz you that much 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm currently on my third copper coil, I had two before kids and one after. I really rate and recommend them.

The insertion pre kids is rather uncomfortable but if you take painkillers beforehand and ask for some numbing anaesthetic spray it really helps. During the appointment I found using breathing and mindfulness got me through. For me, the speculum is the most unpleasant bit - if you know you need a different sized speculum then you have a chance to discuss this during your booking appointments. Also if you have a very tight cervix (I did before kids) you can get a smaller coil fitted that lasts for 3-5 years instead.

Once it's in you can check the strings at any time when you're sitting on the loo to check it's not dislodged. 10 years of lots of sex, exercise, tampons, etc and mine has never budged. It's also statistically the most reliable form of contraception as it removes the margin of human error - you don't need to remember to take a pill every day. And I really appreciate being hormone free!

As others have said, only the very worst and best experiences get shared so I really wouldn't let other people's horror stories affect your opinion too much.

(P.S. your gp's suggestion of a year of celibacy and dieting is hideous - definitely request a second opinion!)

Thank you - the GP didn't suggest any form of coil, just said that the mini pill clearly didn't work for me, and I couldn't take the combined pill, so to just wait and lose weight. I felt pretty damn unattractive after that and like I shouldn't even be thinking about sex.

I struggle with smear tests, so it's helpful to know that if I went down the coil route, I should be advocating for a small speculum and anaesthetic spray. I just know that if I don't go into an appointment knowing what I want, I'm going to end up with nothing again.

It's reassuring to know that sex, exercise and tampons have not made it 'fall out' as having never used a coil before, that was my immediate worry.

I'm still not keen, but from all of the advice posted, it does sound like I need to make an appointment with a family planning clinic (rather than my GP) and ask to discuss the copper coil.

I've clearly upset some people with my very frustrated thread title, but I've had some very helpful advice here, which has been amazing. All of my friends are on the combined pill and/or they've had children, so I haven't really had anyone in real life to ask. And it's embarrassing to say I'm too fat for the combined pill.

I go to a family planning clinic for my coil and they do a clinic for, I dunno what it's actually called but I call it the difficult patient clinic they know what I mean
It's basically a double appointment and they have access to more anaesthetic stuff

It's anaesthetic gel they used for me. Basically goes
Speculum
Measure uterus (first ouch)
Insert coil (second ouch)
Trim strings
Check you're ok, sit up, get dressed
I take the day off work so I can have a hot water bottle, painkillers and a McDonald's
Each ouch is short enough I don't manage to finish saying "fuck" in my head if that helps

There is absolutely no biological way that a copper coil can cause any of that. Placebo effect.

Speculum size is to do with length not width - if your cervix is far back you need a long speculum, it's a decision to be made by the HCP after they do the first bit of the examination. There's actually no evidence for pain reduction with sprays/gels or anything other than a paracervical block (which most drs who fit coils can't do) but I've fitted hundreds and significant pain is very unusual. Bit poor of the GP not to suggest implant unless you'd already said you didn't want it.

You'll always find horror stories about the coil but that doesn't mean it's unsuitable for you. I too was quite worried about a coil but made an appointment at my local sexual health clinic in 2020. They reassured me that they would absolutely remove it if I didn't get on with it.

As described by a PP, it was a little uncomfortable having it inserted but nothing that a few deep breaths couldn't solve. I had cramping for a few days after.

Bleeding was a bit sporadic for the first few months but then stopped entirely. I've not had a period in over 2 years.

Once cut, the strings wrap along the opening to your cervix. You can feel them with your fingers and are advised to check for them every so often. They cause no problem at all, although DP says he can sometimes feel them with the end of his penis if we're in a deep penetration position.

I had 4 mirena coils over the years. Had horrendous heavy periods and couldn't take the combined pill because I had high blood pressure and was a smoker.
Gave me my life back and actually allowed me to lose 5 stone as I wasn't debilitated by the blood loss.

I refuse to put hormones in my body and don't want anything inserted so we use condoms and it works brilliantly. We obviously make sure no splits or anything. It seems you don't want to use condoms but I'd far rather that than a pill that increases risk of stroke

OP, I’m very overweight,, and cannot take the pill. I did have copper coil, but that failed (hello DC3) but I’ve had a few mirena coils now and never had an issue with them. It may punch a bit going in, but piece of piss coming out.

also, no periods, and what’s not to love about that?!

Are you overweight?

I’ve had 5 Mirenas, bloody great things! Never had an issue and no periods 🥳