ok I'm new to this

After 5 years with DH (who had the snip), I'm now going to have to look for contraception options.

I've got an appointment with the family planning clinic in a couple of weeks (mainly coz I'm due for my annual pap smear) and I've asked for it to be a longer appointment to discuss contraception options.

I was on the pill from the ages of 14 to about 34 (with a few breaks).

I have loved not putting chemicals in my body, these last 5 years have been great, I know my cycle, I know when I'm fertile (not that it was an issue) etc.

Now, that I'm back on the dating scene (and have some FWB), I need to look at options.

I don't want to put on any weight (I'm losing weight and I'd like to keep losing weight). I don't want the mood swings (some of the pills I used to be on used to give me PMS). I want something easy & painless (the option of an implant makes me want to barf).

So some suggestions please, would be wonderful. I'm going to be doing some research before heading into the FP clinic but some personal recommendations would be good.

I don't want to get pregnant, that is my biggest thing, I will for the casual partners be using condoms but I just want an extra layer of security. Actually I'd love to get pregnant but that isn't an option at the moment.

Heys hun ;)

I'd stay away from the Mirena IUD - it has chemical contraceptive in it, totally mucked up my cycle, I bled for about 3 months non-stop and can't shift the weight I was losing.
Good luck ;)

Ok - havent got any advice on what to use but i can definately say don't use Depo!

I would say dont get the implanon, i had it in for 3 months and bled the entire time and not lightly either (tmi), also mood swings were bad.

There is another option out that's relatively recent. It's a cervical ring that you insert (as you would a tampon, but much smaller and not noticeable!) for 30 days and then remove (if you don't want a period you put another one in). I don't know the name, but my ob/gyn thought it was wonderful (was going to offer it to his daughter when she was a bit older), has a local effect (so doesn't have as much of an impact on your hormones as the pill or implant) and okay to use if you haven't had children. You use a new one every month.

FWIW I have the Mirena actually and I love it. Also local so hormonal effect is minimal (which means you can have it while bfing which was important for me), but it's really not a good idea unless you are looking for longer-term contraception and have had a baby...

Just thought I'd mention that I know 3 girls including my sis who have Implanon and have had no issues at all. One got pg a week after it was removed! I will be getting one the minute this baby is out! Good luck hun, so many choices out there, I hope you find something that works well for you.

Hey..my advice is stay away from depovera..everyone is different I know but this caused me excessive weight gain,horrible acne along neck and jaw line,mood swings to the max and of the 2 doses I had,I didn't get a period for over 18 mths.I was bloated and had severe headaches..my cycle has never been the same since..never again...good luck with ur choice

Definitely a difficult choice! Great that you're doing your research and exploring your options. I have studied most forms of contraception in great depth, and if you want something that is reliable, but has less impact on your body and your hormones, I'd look into NuvaRing (as mentioned by Jennifer). They don't protect against STD's, so you would still need to use condoms, but because they only release hormones around the cervix, they don't mess with your hormones/emotions etc. like the OCP does.

Diaphragms used with spermicide are also reliable (especially if a condom is used too), but they can be a bit difficult to use. If you know your cycle and fertile times really well (as you seem to), you could look at Prostinor-9 as a back-up if you have any slip ups during possibly fertile times.

I'm a Naturopath, and I'm very passionate about natural fertility/contraception and charting, but totally understand that this isn't appropriate with new partners. If you would like any more info on contraceptive options, you're welcome to call me at BB centre on Thursdays, or msg me.

Good luck with your decision making! I'm sure you'll get lots of info and feedback from the wonderful women on these forums.

xxx

I would have to say that if you want something that doesnt mess up you cycle and you dont have to worrie about than i would recomend a copper iud, i had one and loved it. you will cycle naturally and it lasts i think from 3-5 yrs and if and when you decide that you want to have another baby you have it out and you dont have to wait for the chemicals to ware off.

Good luck with your decision

thank you everybody for your input. Will let you know which one I will be going with. I think I forgot to mention in the initial post that I've not carried a child to full term (had a 12w m/c).

Nicole - a special thanks - I'm studying Bachelor of Health Science with a major in Naturopathy so I'm very much "anti chemical" - when I decide to "settle down" to one partner, then I'll probably give you a ring to discuss other options.

ok I'm on the pill temporarily - I've had all the screenings done for an IUD. I will need to decide in 3 months time (when they want me back in for a check-up) if I'm going to go down the IUD path.

I had both the nurse and the gyno looking "up there" to guage if I could get an IUD even though I'd not had kids - seems they can't see a reason why I can't.

I might just stay on the pill for the time being, will probably sit down next year and discuss other options with whichever partner I'm currently with.