Thread: Contraception...

OK, So the OH is due back and we've been talking about contraception, we used condoms at first which suit neither of us and to be fair we can't be arsed faffing about.

Also, I have a 'short cycle' and sometimes have 2 periods in a month which can be a pain (literally) and it knocks the stuffing out of me...and its less than ideal with a guy who's going to be visiting weekends only for the time being...anyhoo, the Dr took my blood pressure and said it was a bit high (140/90) so I have to go back next week to see if my BP is any lower.

I'm 33 and do smoke, but was wondering what the other women of my age use, the idea of the coil or IUD gives me the heeby jeebys.

I'd say I'm healthy otherwise.

Cheers ladies!

Evening Tena Lady

I'm about the same age as you and am also a smoker. I've got an Implanon implant (I think this is my third one) and it's fantastic for being able to forget about it. Once it's in, it's in, no worries for 3 years. I will say however that you can't predict what it's going to do to your system. With the first one my periods pretty much stopped, with the second one they were a bit hit n miss and with this one they've been a lot more regular (and that last one was a killer pain-wise) Saying all that though, I'd go for this over everything else...the thought of the coil terrifies me!!

charlie_five

Hey PK :lol: I had the implant at one point and it was great. I had to stay away from the coil as it fed the cysts. I'm lucky as I don't have to worry about kids since the hystericalectomy, but I still insist on condoms unless OH is prepared to get tested regularly.

If you're crap at taking tablets (like I was) then I'd say some form of implant is the best way forward. Failing that - back doors :lol:

I'm not allowed anything hormonal and so was considering the coil though like you was a bit put off by the thought of it. I was prescribed once by an incompetent doctor the 3 monthly injection which was fantastic as i tend to be quite heavy and by month number 3 i had a 2 day bleed. Twas heaven Unfortunatley i ended up with several blood clots as a result and was told never to trust a doctor again hehehe (not a normal side effect of the jab i must say just my dodgy blood), if i was able i'd go for that

I am pretty good at taking the pill, never had any problems before but don't know if that's an option 'at my age and being a smoker'.

I suppose I'll see what the Dr advises.

The back door is always an option, or I could carry on having sex stood up or in water where we all know you don't get pregnant :P

I know people our age on the pill that are smokers

Originally Posted by EnigmaRole

The back door is always an option, or I could carry on having sex stood up or in water where we all know you don't get pregnant :P

***note to self, once I have given birth follow these words of advice :roll:

Im a little bit older than you - with no kids and got the Miriva coil put in 2 years ago - and l havent had a moments bother. My decision for the coil was basically at the time l was smoking, was in my thirties and had been on the pill for 15 years - and l thought my body needed a break.

For some periods disapper totally - or last a couple of days, you can check its in place with the threads which hang down - not dangling out of you or anything and you definately dont notice them!! I never bother to be honest l go for a yearly check and its been fine!

Insertion was fine - lady doctor and there was a little bit of bleeding but l found it no more invasive than having a smear.

Why not go to your local Family Planning Clinic and see what options are available. I dont like the thought of implants under my skin, lve noticed them on friends arms and it kinda freaks me, and one of my best friends was on the injections and got still pregnant - twice!!! But these were my personal reasons!

My friend just got the coil and get shivers everytime I think about what she told me they do during the procedure. I'v got implant and had no problems, my periods are only 4 days and not really painful, get a niggly pain the night before and thats bout It, considering taking pill with It to stop periods when OH gets back. I'm sure If you just book Into see your doctor they'l advise best, everything has Its pros and cons and not all of them will suit everyone. But I say implant, swear by It, best thing I'v ever had inserted In me...well.....

Originally Posted by flygirl

Originally Posted by EnigmaRole

The back door is always an option, or I could carry on having sex stood up or in water where we all know you don't get pregnant :P

***note to self, once I have given birth follow these words of advice :roll:

Or get him to keep his socks on - at least that's what I think the girls behind the bike shed meant... :lol:

I've been on most things at one time or another. 1st thing i will say is if you're gonig to take the life jacket off then both go for an std test. It might be a bit embarrassing to bring up but well worth doing.

Anyhow contraception. Was on microgynon pill as a teenager i constantly forgot to takr that and it didnt do much for my periods. I then went onto the contraceptive injection. That stopped my periods completely and was easy to remember. Relatively painless and i was totally fine on it 1st time round. Came off it to try for a baby. Have now had said baby and went back on it at 6 weeks post preg. This time it really didnt agree with me (apparently this is down to a cocktail of pregnancy hormones plus the hormones the jab gave me) it killed my sex drive completely (happy hubby...not!) and i felt bloated constantly.
I am currently on cezanette (SP) which is a Progesterone only pill (i suffer from migraines i'm not allowed the other one) according to the info leaflet i've been given on the what are the advantages of the POP it says and i quote "you can use it at any age, but it is especially useful if you smoke and are 35 or over."
It is also one you take continously rather than the 7 day gap so can stop your periods completely if not at least regulate your cycle somewhat.
I am on the waiting list for the coil so if anyone wants to scare the living daylights out of me about the actual procedure for putting the bugger in feel free lol

Originally Posted by Special_Tree

I am on the waiting list for the coil so if anyone wants to scare the living daylights out of me about the actual procedure for putting the bugger in feel free lol

There was nothing too it - took 20 mins - like l said nothing worse than having a smear.

And l would guess if you've had kids compared to giving birth its a walkin the park!

Sending hugs for having such a short cycle 8O crikey I would be a right state, as my PMT is almost out of control as it is. I am going to have to start taking Evening Primrose Oil again as we are running out of china and the doors have all come off their hinges :wink: :lol:

hp
x

Off-topic a bit but acupuncture sorted my cycles out a treat and got my pmt down to very manageable levels. Downside is it's not cheap but it was worth every penny.

As far as contraception goes the implant was the best hormonal method I found although I did get progressively more mental towards the end of the 3 years I had it in. I used Persona after that - handy wee gadget that tracks your cycle (you have to pee on a stick a few days a month) and gives you a green or a red light depending whether it's 'safe' to have sex or not. You then either abstain or use contraception on the 'unsafe' days. Between that and the acupuncture I feel better than I have done in years but then I don't react well to hormonal contraception.

Originally Posted by Purdy

Originally Posted by Special_Tree

I am on the waiting list for the coil so if anyone wants to scare the living daylights out of me about the actual procedure for putting the bugger in feel free lol

There was nothing too it - took 20 mins - like l said nothing worse than having a smear.

And l would guess if you've had kids compared to giving birth its a walkin the park!

It wasn't too much of a problem going in, but bloody hell it wasn't great having it taken out and replaced. It's still the best thing for me though seeing as I can't use hormone based contraception. And you can just forget all about it for 5 years until it needs to be replaced.

Originally Posted by kazzam

Off-topic a bit but acupuncture sorted my cycles out a treat and got my pmt down to very manageable levels. Downside is it's not cheap but it was worth every penny.

Apparently Vitamin B Suplement helps with moody PMT too, used to live with two women and they came on at same time so were moody hole week before and needed it sorted, they started to take that and calm was restored! :P

:sex: <<<<<<<<<<< Full on LOL to this smiley aswell!!!! Sorry random and of topic!

Thanks Ladies,

S_T, we've both been tested for STD's, me when I had an abnormal smear result a few years ago (and I hadn't been active since!) and him when he was with his Ex and tore his foreskin :twisted: and thought he was dying and went to a clinic haha...neither of us have been with anyone since our tests...we're born again virgins :angel5:

More than anything I really need to get my periods sorted out, I no sooner finish one then I have boobs like watermelons and all the usual aching and my evil alter ego takes over...I am constantly drained and its getting me down!

I'm not sure about the coil or implants as we haven't ruled out having little Tena's together.

I was on mycrogynon 30 for the yrs previous to my children and never had any bad effects with them.

I'm at the Drs on Wednesday so hopefully will get something sorted then- the last time I was there I was on my period and now I am due again Grrrr.