Contraception choices...can't make a decision

While I was at the GP today for a totally unrelated issue, she asked me whether I was taking the contraceptive pill. I told her no, as I had tried levon for a couple of months but couldn't handle the side effects...terrible fluid retention, extrememly sore breasts extending into my armpits, and horrific mood swings. I told her we had been using condoms for 6 years and never had a problem. I was quite surprised when she told me that they aren't that effective (she is not the first to have told me that) and that maybe I should look into a more long term, effective plan. Now I am confused....after having a cancer diagnosis already this year I am hesitant to put anything "artificial" in my body but would love to stop using condoms. I refuse to have the depo provera injection after having it as a teenager and getting shocking side effects. I have read a lot of negatives about the mirena and not sure if I want to try the implanon, novo ring or another oral pill. I was leaning towards the novo ring because at least I can just stop it if I don't like it. Any suggestions?

Condoms are fiiiiine when used correctly. Sadly for me.

Why not get your DH snipped for a permanent, non-chemical, fail-safe solution?

We use condoms with no problems. I wont use anything chemical/hormone based and I think you're very wise to steer clear. I thought condoms were very effective when used properly. I think the issues are only if they're not put on properly and come off or if you get a bit lazy/excited and don't actually put one on. These don't seem to be problems for you as you've been using them effectively for so long.

If you've been using them for 6 years no problem, I'd say they're very effective for you. I agree with you, I'd be hesitant to go down the artificial hormone path. Do you want more babies? If not, your DH getting a vasectomy is probably the best option.

Well that's what I thought about condoms. But when I went to see a gynaecologist about 18 months ago, he pretty much told me off for relying on them, and now this GP as well. Honestly, I would love another baby so if one did break I for one would not be worried ;) but DP doesn't want anymore. We live remote, so the option of having a vasectomy is a tricky balancing act at the moment between jobs, kids and visiting surgeons but definately the right option. Thanks ladies.

Well we used condoms 100% correctly and we got DD2, so it does happen.

I loved the nuva ring when I was on it (only used for keeping AF in cycle, not as contraception). Can't comment if it works or not in prevention. It's a little expensive but worth it

Thanks Rosetti, expense isn't an issue up here, we go through the aboriginal health campus and all medications are completely free for all members of the public regardless of race. Sorry if this is too much info, but can DH "feel" the nuva ring when DTD? and is it easy to place? I cant get my head around putting this plastic ring "there" and just putting all my faith in it to work lol At least with condoms you know they have worked!

We use only condoms here as well, after me having a DVT so I am unable to take medication for birth control and we have never fallen pregnant while using a condom

Have you thought about the copper iud or a diaphragm?

:

---

Thanks Rosetti, expense isn't an issue up here, we go through the aboriginal health campus and all medications are completely free for all members of the public regardless of race. Sorry if this is too much info, but can DH "feel" the nuva ring when DTD? and is it easy to place? I cant get my head around putting this plastic ring "there" and just putting all my faith in it to work lol At least with condoms you know they have worked!

---

If there's no cost, then I'd definitely be going on the ring. DH could never feel it (I used to have visions of it coming out stuck around his penis lol), never did though! Was easy to put in, squeeze the ring in the middle and place it inside like a tampon. Never knew it was in there. 3 weeks later I'd change it to avoid AF. Every 3-4 months I'd have AF then go back to every 3 weeks again. If I had to pick between pill, iud, condom, depo or nuva ring, nuva would win hands down. I liked it heaps :)

I used to have mirena and he always felt the strings and later he pulled it out due to continuos bleeding and millions of other issues

:

---

Well we used condoms 100% correctly and we got DD2, so it does happen.

---

Sadly never happened to me. You're making me far too jealous of you, PZ. The stats are 4 in 1000 fall pg using condoms correctly every year, lower than other contraceptive choices used properly. Still not working for me after years of use. Damn false-hope statistics and peri-menopause.

Frangipani Lou, no I didn't even realise the copper IUD was even still around! Thought they got rid of that years ago...it seems so ancient lol and I don't like the idea of a diaphragm...I tried the diva cup for AF and could never get it fitted right so I think I would worry about the diaphragm. I might have a chat to my GP about the nuva ring, and failing that option stick to condoms for now until DP organises to get the snip.

Rossetti :lol: I didn't even think of that until you mentioned....how funny would that be if he ended up wearing it lol

We used condoms very effectively for years then again.... It took every intervention and a miracle for us to get utd so maybe it wasn't the condoms being effective after all??? Lol
We plan to keep on using them now as it's the easiest non invasion or permanent thing that works for us.