The best contraceptive for you?

Ilyana

msthe80s wrote: »

Emily.
You may be better seeking advice of doctor at a Family Planning clinic rather than a GP-some GPs tend to recommend same old same to their patients,whereas in FPCs, they have more specialised experience and will really take your past history and preferences into consideration while advising you.

Thanks for the advice, tbh I don't think a lot of GPs are that bothered! From my experience anyway

heyheyitsC

this jsut the tread iv been looking for!! but as a cash-stapped student and an emergency rush to a pharmacy one morning after a dodgey durex, i want something different now but how much to these things cost?? regular GP visits dont exactly come for free...:D

rainbow kirby

heyheyitsC wrote: »

regular GP visits dont exactly come for free...:D

Go to your student health service at college, should be a lot cheaper than a regular GP visit.

saa

I am on the implanon, in a few years don't want hormonal, don't want to rely on condoms with my partner... I'm getting a terrible feeling the words device and insertion are in my future : o

Jack B. Badd

I made a somewhat jokey comment on another thread about getting my tubes tied as a 30th birthday present to myself but I am seriously considering it as a (permanent) contraceptive option. I've been on the pill for most of the past decade and I'm not thrilled at the prospect of being on it for the next decade+.

I definitely don't want children but I'd really like to move away from hormonal contraceptives - as far as I can see, the LARC options are all hormonal or, in the case of IUDs, look like implements of torture - I know they're not but crikey they don't look like something I want inside me! I was considering the implant but after some reading on it I don't feel secure in it's long-term safety as it hasn't been around as long as the pill and I've read some horror stories on side effects on the NHS site (although I know that people are more likely to post to complain than compliment).

I keep telling myself that sterilisation in my 20s (even late 20s) is a bit rash, as I might change my mind at any time, but I've genuinely never had one second where I've thought I might want children. At this point, I doubt I'll change my mind and I worry that I'm damaging my health more by staying on hormonal contraception on the "off chance" that I'll change my mind when It's highly likely I'll get this procedure done in the next 5-10 years anyway.

Morag

You will have to talk to your dr, I think currently if you have no kids you have wait until you are over 35 in some cases 40 to apply to have your tubes tied. There are mad restrictions on this here and there is not way to go private, where as you can do so in the UK.

Jack B. Badd

Sharrow wrote: »

You will have to talk to your dr, I think currently if you have no kids you have wait until you are over 35 in some cases 40 to apply to have your tubes tied. There are mad restrictions on this here and there is not way to go private, where as you can do so in the UK.

Yeah, I am eternallly thankful that I'm not in Ireland while trying to consider this as a viable option. I think I'll be raising this with my doctor the next time I see her - according to the NHS, some surgeons are reluctant to perform sterilisation on childless/free women under 30 but not all, so I'm hopeful that I wouldn't have to have too many arguments in order to actually be able to properly consider my options.

bronte

You should talk to Marie Stopes International regarding a tubal.
They're pretty good with the 5 million questions and answers!

http://www.mariestopes.org.uk/Womens_services/Female_sterilisation.aspx

ConTheCat

Hey just looking for a straight answer on this!
I'm on the pill but am away for 3 days, was in a big rush packing my bag so have missed a pill today, tomorrow but will be able to take it Monday evening.
Am I better off leaving it and getting my period or going back taking the pill when I'm home?
Thanks

Morag

you can go back to taking it but you'll need extra protection for the rest of the packet.

Abi

Purple Lemons wrote: »

Getting the Implanon Contraceptive Implant tomorrow morning, should I be scared?

I know you posted this in June PL, but how are you getting on with it? I'm getting this done tomorrow.

Lola92

Storminateacup wrote: »

I've been on the pill in the past, but won't be rushing back to take it.

At the moment, as I'm breastfeeding, Im relying on that as a contraceptive. We've only really started .. being intimate.. very recently, and this method should be good for another couple of months at least.

I'm going to look into natural family planning.

Storminateacup, I just want to advise you that breastfeeding is not a form of contraceptive at all. You should really be using some form of protection unless you are planning another bundle to arrive in 9 months! :O

I was put on Leonore for v. Heavy periods, which I got pregnant on. Then changed to a progesterone only pill as I was breastfeeding - Noriday at first which I didn't like at all as there is only a 3 hour window to take it, if you are late. I have since change to cerazette (again progesterone only). I have been on it and really like it. No real side effects for me except maybe a slight drop in libido which is no bad thing really :P rarely get periods now and when I do they are light so that is a big plus for me!

I am considering going on to the Implanon implant but I want to lose some weight first. I'm hoping it will agree with me as I've been ok on the progesterone so far!

Jack B. Badd

Had a bit of a weird realisation today - I suspect I was having mood swings on my previous pill Yasmin that I was just putting down to personality rather than hormones. My GP changed me to Femodene approx 6 months ago & I realise I can't remember the last time I screamed obscenities at an inanimate object (a regular occurance for me before). It could be down to some other stress factor that has since eased but if it is I can't identify it.

This adds to my feeling that moving away from hormonal contraceptives overall is a good idea :-s

Dinkie

Have decided that no pills suit me. Have been through 4 of them now I didn't want to get the injection or the implant etc. We are now using condoms instead. Partner reckons that after 3 years of my puting chemicals in my body, it is time he took some responsbility.

I came of it about 8 weeks ago and feel so much better. My sex drive has returned (along with period pains). Am not eating as much and my mood is much better.

My partner is happier as well as he doesn't have a depressed gf.

We have decided that if i get pregnant, then so be it. We were thinking of trying next year anyway.

Unfortunately I think I am in the minority that no pill works for.

ConTheCat

Sharrow wrote: »

you can go back to taking it but you'll need extra protection for the rest of the packet.

Hey I took the pill yesterday, 3 hours later than usual. But woke up this morning and had my period? Will I just continue using pill?

Morag

ConTheCat wrote: »

Hey I took the pill yesterday, 3 hours later than usual. But woke up this morning and had my period? Will I just continue using pill?

At this stage you should ring your dr and check with them.

dearg lady

Phew, just read the entire thread, very interesting!

iguana wrote: »

I used to use a diaphragm and I think it's fantastic. I really, really don't understand why it's not more popular. The main problem I found with it was getting a doctor who would work out the fit for me.

Where would you recommend going so, would somewhere like the Wellwoman clinic be able to do it?

Like a few people mentioned, I'm coming around to the thinking that filling my body full of hormones isn't such a great idea. I've been on and off the pill for 10 years, and while it's forced break I've just begun, I'd be keen not to go back on the pill. When I was off the pill the longest stretch, about a year, I felt much happier, had more patience etc. Now I know different pills affect people in different ways but I'm not particularly eager to try again. Also, readin some of the horror stories re the implant and injection, very offputting!!

I'm surprised to discover the failure rates of withdrawal and rhythm method are much lower than I expected, but wouldn't currently use them on their own. Back to condoms for now and I think I'll consider the diaphragm in a few months

ConTheCat

Sharrow wrote: »

At this stage you should ring your dr and check with them.

Ok thanks a bunch for help

Ickle Magoo

Lucyfur wrote: »

I was told, and I don't know if I fully believe it as the person who told me has a habit of talking out of her @rse, that they are very reluctant to tie tubes nowadays.

Well, after much two-ing and fro-ing - my GP has now put me forward for sterilization and I should hear from the local gynae dept in the next few months...as an interesting aside, before they would put me forward for sterilization as I'm younger than 35 - I had to bring in my husband and we BOTH had to sign a consent form...how mad is that. :eek:

Morag

dearg lady wrote: »

Phew, just read the entire thread, very interesting!



Where would you recommend going so, would somewhere like the Wellwoman clinic be able to do it?

Like a few people mentioned, I'm coming around to the thinking that filling my body full of hormones isn't such a great idea. I've been on and off the pill for 10 years, and while it's forced break I've just begun, I'd be keen not to go back on the pill. When I was off the pill the longest stretch, about a year, I felt much happier, had more patience etc. Now I know different pills affect people in different ways but I'm not particularly eager to try again. Also, readin some of the horror stories re the implant and injection, very offputting!!

I'm surprised to discover the failure rates of withdrawal and rhythm method are much lower than I expected, but wouldn't currently use them on their own. Back to condoms for now and I think I'll consider the diaphragm in a few months

the well woman and ifpa should do appointments for diaphragm fittings.
Also consider a Fertility monitor, it can be a help in tracking fertile days which in conjunction with condoms can work pretty well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_monitor

Jack B. Badd

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

I had to bring in my husband and we BOTH had to sign a consent form...how mad is that. :eek:

Argh, that would just annoy me on principal! :mad: I'm considering the same and my partner is (thankfully) very supportive and agreed to come to consultations, etc with me if I go ahead but at the end of the day I won't allow him to sign anything regarding a procedure that I have elected to undergo.

The Princess Bride

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

I had to bring in my husband and we BOTH had to sign a consent form...how mad is that. :eek:

Jack B. Badd wrote: »

Argh, that would just annoy me on principal! :mad: I'm considering the same and my partner is (thankfully) very supportive and agreed to come to consultations, etc with me if I go ahead but at the end of the day I won't allow him to sign anything regarding a procedure that I have elected to undergo.

why do we put up with such çr@p in this country. I wonder whether the ethics committees in our maternity hospitals would consider meeting with a group of women to see whether this century old policy could be changed;

Just curious ladies,have either of your partners considered vasectomy(local anaesthesia/ relatively minor procedure) instead of your op (having general anaesthesia/ more invasive procedure.)
I considered it a few years back and my GP practice nurse told me so many horror stories, my OH pleaded with me not to get it done and had snip instead;( ....... & we all live happily ever after;))

Ickle Magoo

msthe80s wrote: »

Just curious ladies,have either of your partners considered vasectomy(local anaesthesia/ relatively minor procedure) instead of your op (having general anaesthesia/ more invasive procedure.)

Yes of course we considered & researched all options. Do you think we played scissors, stone, paper or summat? :P

Saaron

I'm on Dianette. I've been taking it for a year now and will be for another 4 months then I'll be trying Yasmin (I think that's the one).

I'm taking it for my acne which doesn't exist now and also for contraception.
I do think it gives me bad mood swings or at least affects my mood in some way.
I'm dreading coming off it as I can't bear the thought of having horribly, painful skin again.

If I had my way I would rather be on a much lower dose pill as my sex drive is almost non-existent now and also because I'd like to see if my moods would lift even a little bit. As long as my skin causes problems I'll continue to take Dianette.

madon

I had implanon in 3 times first one was after baby no1 I had it in for the full three years, second implanon in for a year and half I had it removed so I could have baby2 then a third Implanon which I had taken out at the beginning of this year. The first two were brilliant I had no problems with them no mad mood swings, weight gain, no side effects what so ever. I was years before that changing from pill to pill because I couldn't find one to suit me so the Implanon was a god send.
Third one I had almost every side effect listed for the implanon:rolleyes:- these things creep on you gradually though so it was only when I had the implanon taken out that I realised it was the cause of lot of my complaints! I suppose though there is a decade really between the first time it entered my body to when I had the last one taken out I'm sure my own hormone levels has changed so much in that time I just ended up that it wasn't suiting me. So now we are relying on condoms- I really don't want to spend months finding a pill that agrees with me, suffering mood swings etc while I look for something- I've finished having babies and don't need my reproductive system anymore I don't want hassle with it all! The only way to go for us now is the snip for my OH. I still would recommend the Implanon to anyone thinking of it though.

Jack B. Badd

msthe80s wrote: »

Just curious ladies,have either of your partners considered vasectomy(local anaesthesia/ relatively minor procedure) instead of your op (having general anaesthesia/ more invasive procedure.)

Yep, my partner is still considering it - there's no reason why it would be a case of one or the other for us. If we both chose to be sterilised it would be beneficial in that it would further lower the chances of failure (I'm quite worried about the risks of ectopic pregnancy for instance, to the extent that if I went ahead with the procedure I'd probably still chose to use condoms as back up).

Also, I'm in the UK and could get the procedure done under local anaesthetic and sedation (much safer than a general anaesthetic) so this would likely be what I'd go for.

Aurora1984

I have had the mirena IUD for over one month now, I have to say so far its been great and I have no regrets!

I read such horror stories about it and struggled to find positive reviews but mine so far is great. You have to have it placed when you have your period and mine stopped 2 days later. I had no spotting for the whole first month,
first cycle was about 30 days then I had a 2 day very light period! Had an echo about 2 weeks ago and she said it was where it should be and everything looks normal.

I feel really good not taking any pills! Have definitely noticed an increased libido which is noticable compared to when I was on the pill and have actually lost some weight however I have been doing heaps of exercise so can't be sure if the mirena has had any impact! I was initially worried so much about getting it placed but now feel like its so worth the few moments where it hurts as now I have nothing to think or worry about! So far so good!

redbutterfly

Truley wrote: »

For the year I was on it I was like a different person, teary and anxious all the time. I strongly believe being on Yasmin had a massive effect on my moods. Within of weeks of starting it and going off it I could feel a change in my personality. I've never been a very 'hormoney' person and have always had very light/easy periods. I just don't think Yasmin worked for me and I'm not too pushed on trying out another pill; my mate who is head of a college Student Union gave me a free bag of 200 Durex so I think I'm sorted for at least a year anyway :P

Hi, This is something I have wondered about, I have been using Yasmin for 5 years with a break about 2 years ago, I find I can get angry and dont know why, just thought I was getting stressed, but just reading your comment about anxiousness associated with Yasmin , I am compelled to look for an alternative pill from my GP? Also I have heard that it can make you depressed ?? Has anyone else notice this ? : ) Thanks in advance : )

prettygurrly

i'm on the nuvaring now...there's been a few mentions of it already so thought i'd let you know of my experience.

i started on the depo provera when i was 19 nearly 20. it was great, no periods and no worry but then i just went really loopy. pretty sure i was on it for a year before i got fed up with the side effects. i also put on weight, about 2 stone so i was seriously depressed cos of that.

so...i decided on the pill, took ligynon or something like that and then realised with my dodgy tummy i could never be sure that i wouldn't get pregnant (had a scare in my first month) and i'm pretty bad at remembering to take a pill every day.

thankfully my forward thinking doctor in nuig suggested the nuvaring and its been a godsend. ive been on it for a long time - about 6 years. its great because the dose is so low, it doesn't have to go through your digestive tract, it doesn't get affected by anti biotics and its really really really straight forward, only 2 days to think about each month, when to put it in and when to take it out. its also great for delaying your period if you have something important on like a holiday or you can completely skip your period for one month. you have a 24 hour window after 7 days of it being out to get a new one in and if you dont you just have to use barrier for a week (that happened to me once in 6 years)...so yes i would thoroughly recommend it. the bouts of thrush are maybe 3 times per year but i think im prone to thrush anyway so that's not bad for someone like me. sometimes i think its my imagination cos its usually stress related!
with regards to weight, i have gained and lost weight over the last 6 years, i'm pretty stable at the moment and i dont believe my weight gain is to do with nuva but because i did not exercise and ate carbs for a year, that's enough to gain 2 stone!
the only drawback is that it is expensive compared to other forms of contraception.
any questions of a personal nature feel free to pm me. i dont mind.

Abi

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Well, after much two-ing and fro-ing - my GP has now put me forward for sterilization and I should hear from the local gynae dept in the next few months...as an interesting aside, before they would put me forward for sterilization as I'm younger than 35 - I had to bring in my husband and we BOTH had to sign a consent form...how mad is that. :eek:

Just seeing this now Ickle. How long were you debating this with the doctor? I'm 32, and on Monday I had Implanon put in to tie me over till Im 35.