Contraception help..

FingersCrossed_2

Hey,

I think that contraception is a personal thing and the comments seem to confirm that. Different things work for different folks. To add my experience;

I was on the pill for around 10 years. It worked ok but I got a bit uncomfortable when my periods stopped. Doc said just due to lengthy time using it. I therefore decided to have a break from hormones and went on to the cap for a year and a half. Was ok as a short term measure but a bit fiddly and kind of takes the spontaneous side out of it - 'hold on while I go and muck about in the loo for 5 mins...'.

I was ready to go back on hormones about a year or so ago but wasn't keen on the pill, implant or coil. Clinic recommended a patch. I think it is a great middle ground. You change it every week and take a break every 4th week so is easier than a daily pill. If you want to stop for any reason you just take it off. I can't imagine changing to anything else.

ljbnotts

I'm on my 3rd implant (or is it 4th!) I couldn't imagine having anything else! Its easy to put in, and you can forget about it. I've had no side effects apart from my periods stopping (had 2 in 3 years). no weight gain, no hassle. Would recommend it to anyone. But from reading others stories it doesn't suit everyone.

Also bear in mind that your fertility returns quickly after its removed where as the injection can really mess fertility up, plus the other side effects of the injection are pretty bad from what i've heard.

Swinstie73

Hi,

I've just had my Implant removed just short of the 3 years as it was driving me insane with the mood swings. It was fine for the first year and a bit (no periods) but I honestly feel less stressed and moody since it's been removed. I've been on the patch but my clothes seem to stick to it no matter where it's placed. Just been to the docs today actually and she prescribed me the Nuvaring. I'm a bit worried about how to 'retrieve' it, lol!

ETA: I had weight gain with the Implant but have never had a weight problem before - thinking it might be my age as someone suggested. I'd research it but don't be put off as everyone has different reactions to it. Wish mines continued to work cos it was great not having to take pills (or use other methods)!

stickypudding

Hi Thought I would share my experience of the implant. Though like everyone else has said it will effect each person differently.

I had the implant put in at the end of Febuary this year. I had been on the pill prior to having my 2 boys but after our second son came along felt it was time for a change and as I didn't want to get pregnant again this seemed the ideal (no fuss, no pills, 99.9% success rate etc etc). First 3 months were great (tho I had been warned that bleeding could be erratic), and overall my moods have improved since being on this (I have always been up and down) However I had 2 very heavy bleeds within the space of 2 weeks in June and I haven't really stopped bleeding and spotting since mid October ( too much info I know )(plus the period pains are gradually getting worse) Due to this I am considering having it taken out, although I know I can get pills to help control the bleeding it kind of defeats the object for me (may as well be on the pill if that's the case) and now as OH has had the snip I have no other reason to keep it in.

I'm affraid I don't know that much about other forms of contraception, but what ever you decide, nothing is set in stone so you could always give the implant a try and then if it doesn't work out have it removed etc.

HTH xx

loveangel88

i had my 1st implant in 2005 and never looked back. Ive got one in at moment, for me its the best form of contraception if you are in a long term r.ship and you know that person (and yourself) are free of STI's... However not sure its really approiate for a single person cos you will still have 2 use condoms obviously



Ive had no probs with it, the periods being irregular are a bit of a nuisance, but i always carry a sanitary towel in me bag incase i get caught unawares but havent so far. Id say since 2005, ive had about 10 periods so far, but i do know everybody's body is different

I deffo recommend it

joaniemerc

My daughter (17) broke up with her boyfriend recently. I told her that she may as well come off the pill. She says that you don't have to, you can just carry on taking it, without any problems.

In my day (admittedly over 20 years ago!), if you weren't in a relationship then you'd come off it and then start again if you met someone new. The reasoning behind this was to "give your body a rest" and "a chance for your body to get back to normal".

My daughter isn't the type to sleep around - this was her first long-term boyfriend and they were together for a year - so I can't understand why she's happy to stay on it unnecessarily.

I would push this a little bit more but am reluctant to do so at the moment as she's revising for A'levels and don't want her hormones upset. But am tempted to bring the subject up again once exams are out of the way.

Any views - or more up to date thinking! - appreciated.

Bigsister

t_obermory wrote: »

If you want anymore children then don't get the depo, it can cause so many fertility/ weight/ libido problems with women. If you google it you'll find loads of women who have had problems with it.


If you have any other options rather than the depo, take them as I am one of those people that have suffered since having the injection for 6 months. I was told it would take 12 months approx to leave my system and it ran out when I got married. 13 years later we are still unable to have children and they cannot explain why-I have all of the above issues so can only assume there is a good chance this was the reason.
It also affected my monthly cycle for years afterwards, I went months with nothing and then a horrible couple of days when it did arrive involving extreme pain and fainting and I gave up in the end and went onto the pill (ironic huh) to give me a level of normality.
Best thing now with the internet availble to everyone is to research as much as you can and take advice from friends and then make a judgement call based on everything. Nothing is fool proof and the newer things take time to show up problems, I can appreciate that, but I wish the Dr had told me that there was evidence of problems as being in my twenties there were other options.

Bigsister

joaniemerc wrote: »

My daughter (17) broke up with her boyfriend recently. I told her that she may as well come off the pill. She says that you don't have to, you can just carry on taking it, without any problems.

In my day (admittedly over 20 years ago!), if you weren't in a relationship then you'd come off it and then start again if you met someone new. The reasoning behind this was to "give your body a rest" and "a chance for your body to get back to normal".

My daughter isn't the type to sleep around - this was her first long-term boyfriend and they were together for a year - so I can't understand why she's happy to stay on it unnecessarily.

I would push this a little bit more but am reluctant to do so at the moment as she's revising for A'levels and don't want her hormones upset. But am tempted to bring the subject up again once exams are out of the way.

Any views - or more up to date thinking! - appreciated.

From what I know, and it might depend on the type of pill and her general health but it is safe to stay on the pill and she might want to, simply to know when her period will arrive. It also can help with period pain and spots, I recall at her age thinking I was going to die with the pain! It also can help with PMT.
I think the pill has progressed a lot since we all started taking it. Its hard as she is under 18 but old enough for you to feel comfortable for her to be on it for the relationship she has finished so as sometimes it takes a while to adjust to the pill she probably just thinks its easier to continue and if she meets another special someone, she hasn't got to think about protecting herself. These days taking the pill is all about taking control of your own sexual health and they are very good at monitoring patients on the pill for blood pressure, weight etc. She sounds a very sensible girl and she is lucky that you supported her relationship and she took precautions, a lot don't still these days.

joaniemerc

Thanks for your reply, Bigsister. V. helpful.