Contraception Advice

purplesmiler82

Will try to keep it short....

I was on the pill a few years back but came off it as I lost all interest in sex and got moody. Not long later me and my boyfriend split. 2years ago decided to go on the pill again after meeting my current boyfriend. Stopped taking it bout 11 months later as got sooo depressed.... crying nearly every day and most the time no real reason why. Anyway I have neve been back to the family planning as i'm kind of scared of going back. We have been using condoms since then but it is just not the same. I am trying to pluck up the courage to go back to family planning and look at a non hormonal method such as the coil (IUD). Does anyone have any experience of using these??? Any feedback etc???

bringmeshoes

i have never used the coil but every single person i know who has used it has had problems with it. about 4/5 people got pregnant with it, 1 of them they never actually found the coil, a friend in work put on 2 stone with it. i know it must be effective and suitable for a lot of people otherwise it wouldn't still be avialable but personally i wouldn't use it. what about the injection?

squashy

I can't have anything with hormones and so have an IUD fitted. I find this option fantastic. Once it is in you really can forget about it (provided you check the strings are still in place periodically). The advantage for me was that I had it removed so we could TTC and I got pregnant in the first month, as opposed to waiting for my body to get back to normal following the Pill et al.

The down side is slightly heavier periods but the trade-off for me was well worth it.

foreversomeday

There is another non hormonal method which you won't find recommended much - natural family planning.

It is by no means for everyone as you have to take your temperature every morning and analyse your bodily fluids etc (apparently you get used to this!) but it's completely non hormonal and it can be as effective as condoms or the pill - ie if it is used properly.

purplesmiler82

Thanks for your advice.

Bringmeshoes I would like to avoid hormonal contraceptions such as the injection as think this is what caused my depression

Squashy you say slightly heavier periods, do they last longer as well? have you had any other side effects? does it hurt?

Foreversomeday read about natural family planning but dont think it is for me

whatatwit

What about using a cap.
I know it does require a bit of forward planning and is a bit messy, but it is another alternative.

grey_lady

I hated the pill as well, what about the mini-pill? that's only got one hormone rather than two and in a lower dosage - haven't tried it though.

Rythem method which is similar to natural family planning works for me.
I think there are even websites where you can enter your period dates and it will tell you your more fertile days.

All i do is is spend a few minutes once a month workinig out the dangerous time - allowing a big margin for error and use condoms during those days.

I've used it for some time without any problems but have been in a committed relationship for a very long time and it wouldnt be bad if i accidentally got pregnant - my OH agreed with all this. If that's not your situation then probably best to find an alternative.

Lunar_Eclipse

foreversomeday wrote: »

There is another non hormonal method which you won't find recommended much - natural family planning.

I do this and thoroughly recommend it. Don't take my temperature though but it is very clear to me when I am in my ovulation period.

Persona would be another non-hormonal method that I think is brilliant and used for a couple of years. I have read about people getting pregnant on it but I truly believe that if you follow the method 100% accurately there is almost a zero chance of falling pregnant. I say almost as very occasionally freak ovulations occur outside one's normal pattern and go undetected - but that is very rare. The truth of the matter is people do get complacent with such things and do certain activities when they know they really shouldn't!

Savvy_Sue

I would encourage you to go back to the FP clinic and tell them what you've said here. They are the experts, they know what the latest pills are like, they know all about all the non-hormonal methods and they are used to people having had problems.

Also IUD does not HAVE to cause heavier periods, I have had one fitted to sort mine out!

thanksalot

I have a mirena coil (IUD with hormones, lasts 5 years).
It completely stopped my periods, which isn't that bad.
I have very little sex drive, but don't know if it is due to the IUD or just me ageing and being tired.

belfastgirl23

I second the family planning advice - they will be able to help you with this!