A list of all available contraceptives ad side effects, please add anything I miss

I thought I would start a thread for those like me that want a comprehensive list of everything available and known side effects

The Pill (combined pill)
Advantages: can stop any time, usually regulates AF
Disadvantages: Have to remember to take it every day at around the same time, can cause bloating and weight gain, Links made to breast cancer.

The Mini Pill
Advantages: Safe for BFing
Disadvantages: not as reliable as combined pill, Have to remember to take it every day

Implanon
Advantages: Lasts 3 years, Dont have to remember to take it
Disadvantages: can cause irregular bleeding, depression and weight gain

Depoprovera
Advantages: 3 monthly, not needing to be removed
Disadvantages: Have to ride the 3 months out if it does not work for you

IUD
Advantages: 5-10 years, can't be felt
Disadvantages: will generally make you spot or bleed for around 6 weeks.

Condoms, Femdoms, Diaphagms
Advantages: last minute or backup protection, can be used in conjunction with other methods
Disadvantages: easy to forget in the heat of the moment, unreliable due to breakage, sometimes difficult to fit, especially for first timers ;) reduced sensation

Natural Family Planning
Advantages: Chemical free, full sensation
Disadvantages: must temp / read CM, can be unreliable during sickness or while learing to interpret signs

Please add to this because I am sure I have missed something. any advatages or disadvantages that I have missed would be useful too.

Not meaning 2 scare any1 on the pill BUT I a week b4 my 34th b'day had a breast cancer scare & had surgery 2 remove the lump which ws later discovered thru tests that the lining around the lump ws beginnin 2 turn cancerous :doh:

My surgeon happen 2 b the same that Kylie Monigue had of recent yrs. My surgeon/specialist said I ws extremely lucky 2 av gotten it in time & no chemo ws needed.

...I then decided 2 look in2 further studies which then ws not 100% yet 2 b proved that there is a link wt breast cancer & THE PILL :(

I wasn't taken the risk & went straight off the PILL ;) That ws 8yrs ago :dance:

Just wanted to add, that when I tried out the Depo provera, I was given an injection for 1 month instead of the 3 months. Not sure if they still supply them this way or not? Or if you can only get the 3 month injection?

Nic

i just read today that the mini pill does not work when you stop breastfeeding or drop your feeds below 3 times a day is this true???

The minipill must be taken at the same time each day within a 3hr range to be safe, the regular pill your have about 6hrs.

The IUD will generally make you spot or bleed for around 6 weeks.

I didn't realise you had a 3 hour gap either side, when taking the mini pill. I was told it was an hour either side.

Mini Pill info

I was told up to 3 hours is OK with the minipill by the pharmacist. She said many doctors say 1 hour but that's incorrect. It also says 3 hours is OK on the leaflet that comes with it.

I've read that you should not take the minipill around the time of day that you usually DTD as when you first take it it's not very effective as it hasn't had time to work through your system.

It works best in breast feeding women and women over 40.

If you get a lot of spotting with it, it probably means it's not an effective birth control for you.

It is thought that it does not have risk of blood clots that the combined pill has (and being pregnant has a higher risk of blood clot than being on the combined pill).

I just got the inplanon 1.5 weeks ago and I was told that it can move in your arm and change position..if it does this then you have to have it removed.

The Pill (combined pill)
Advantages: can stop any time, usually regulates AF,
Disadvantages: Have to remember to take it every day at around the same time (or within twelve hours of regular time), can cause bloating and weight gain, Links made to breast cancer. Much greater risk of developing DVT (blot clots) ESP in women who smoke.

The Mini Pill
Advantages: Safe for BFing
Disadvantages: not as reliable as combined pill, Have to remember to take it every day AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME and also has a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy associated with its use (!)

What about those sponge thingies you pop up your hoohaa that have the hormones in them (not sure what they're called)?

Also want to put a word in for the latex-free condoms - MUCH better sensation and less irritation (for those who are prone) than the regular variety.

Abstinence

Advantages: 100% effective
Disadvantages: Not much fun ;)

OMG I haven't even thought about birth control yet! I have POS and so far have fallen pregnant naturally once in 12 years and that was while using provera to bring on a period was going to use the mini pill but I just don't know! What do you guys think is the best solution if I'm breast feeding???
Snoopea

IUS - I spotted for less than 2 weeks and then never had another bleed until it fell out when I had a really heavy period.