Contraception options

(Sorry if this isn't the right place, couldn't find anywhere else appropriate)


Wondering what contraception options are these days?
That sounds weird! lol But it has been almost a decade since I have even though about it, let alone looked into it...

I have no desire to go back on the pill, I loathe it with a passion, and I (we) really despise condoms... Historically, since going off the pill many moons ago, we used withdrawal really, condoms occasionally.
I am also BF, so no desire for anything hormone based.

So what options do we have? DH has made a comment in a passing conversation that he is not adverse to getting a vasectomy, and whilst we have decided we aren't having any more kids, I don't think I am ready for that permanency yet.
Needless to say, I will not consider have my tubes tied, ever.

What is this nuvo ring thing? Is that what it is called? lol OR is my best bet going to be a Mirena?

TIA :)

I used the nuva ring for a while...its a soft ring that you insert for 21days then remove to get af and insert a new one each cycle. I found it good and easy to use but if I remember it was a bit expencive.
DH had a vasectomy its nice not to have to worry about taking anything but a bit sad as its so final

I know of people that swear by the mirena but I want more info on this topic too. I sort of rushed into getting the implanon last time and it was ****ed to put it bluntly! Steering way clear of that this round!

The Mirena is the most amazing advance in contraception
A minor procedure to put it in, It has hormones but they only act locally, though if you're really against hormones the other option would be a copper IUD.
Mirena will thin your uterine lining and you will probably get lighter or maybe no AF
Copper will make your periods heavier and sometimes more painful.
They last 5 years. You need 2 appointments, one preparation appointment for swabs etc and one for insertion (most places only do them on certain days) and Family Planning is a good place to go. Private obs do them too.

Nuva Ring is just like taking the pill, only you put in in your (not sure what word is safe to use after the word I hate thread- not vajayjay or fanny) vagina for 3 weeks at a time. if you want to you can take it out for DTD, rinse and replace after. But it is a hormonal contraception. Just a different method of "taking" it. And I think its a bit exxy. (Not on PBS)

Hope that helps

Thank you ladies!
From what I have seen, it does appear that the Mirena is my best bet. And anything that makes AF lighter is good by my book! lol
Will have chat to the Dr next week when I go in for my PP check-up.

PO5 - I am sure we will end up with him getting one, and it will be nice not to have to worry, I think I just need some time before I can ask him to get it done. lol

ETA: Polly - how do they put it in? Is it a general or a local?

I'm looking at my options at the moment too. I've had problems with clots after being on the pill for many years. So anything with oestrogen is out. Mirena sounds good to me because it is localised and doesn't have to go through your whole digestive system first but DP doesn't like the sound of an IUD. As far as I'm aware they don't use local to insert them and the procedure itself doesn't take very long.

are there any other options? sory to hi-jack, i cant have implanon or the 3 month shot, and the pill is ineffective, i was looking at getting my tubes done but being 23 noone will do it, and now im not sure i wont want more in say 10 years time, kwim?

interested to find out what else is out there

Polly A has give a great explanation of the Mirena. I have one. It's great.
It took a while to settle in and I was advised by my OB the best time to have it put in is when you have yet to have your first AF after baby.
My OB inserted the Mirena, it was like having and invasive pap smear, no anaesthetic needed at all. So not too bad. You can also have it removed anytime by your OB or a GP who knows about them.
When I say it took a while to settle in, I mean I had spotting for a good 3-4mths and then absolutely nothing, no AF at all. I am now getting very light, mini tampon initially for a day or so then liner only for another day or so AF.
Check this link out to the Mirena and contraception threads...lots of pros and cons.

Mirena IUD / Other IUD's & NuvaRing

For me it's a big Tick for he Mirena.
When you talk to your GP and if you decide on the Mirena, he will give you a script to take to the Chemist. Take a big bag when you pick it up:lol: It's quite a long package, they only use one tiny bit of all that stuff in the pack. It only cost $30 as well.

Most of the time the Mirena is put in without anaesthetic. Some doctors use some local on the cervix but some think that hurts more. Occasionally, if there is a reason, like you are having another procedure done or it is difficult due to previous surgery then a private ob will do it under GA. Probably possible in public too but there could be a lengthy wait which kind of defeats the purpose.
Sarah87 an IUD sounds like a good option for you too?

Thanks for starting this thead!

Since getting pregnant while on the pill (which I had used without problem - with only a break for DD - since I was 16) AND taking the morning-after pill, I really am not willing to trust it anymore.

I have been *seriously* considering the Mirena. I was reading up about it just last night (before I saw this thread) and was under the impression that it is hormone based??? Not sure. Like above, I read that it is usually done without a local and the discomfort factor is different for everyone.

THis is the only bit I am concerned about as while I have a very good pain threshold, I detest anything (or any pap smear instrument lol) going near my cervix.

The Copper Coil thingy I also thought about but know nothing about it except that it apparently lasts 10 years?

I've tried Implanon (progesterone based of course) and it was horrible.

We are *def* going down the Vascetomy path (his idea, not mine) - will get referral right after baby is born - but I also want some backup for myself as I am paranoid after getting preg this time LOL.

Just a note for those looking into Mirena - this doesn't prevent fertilisation, it prevents implantation, which could be a problem depending on your religious beliefs regarding abortion. I only bring it up because I was looking into it when I got married, and didn't realise that's how it worked :)

Good point Keike.

It's not impossible to get pregnant on Mirena - one of my uni friends did - but sadly, they are usually not viable pregnancies and will either miscarry naturally or need a medical termination becuase they won;t usually settle in the right spot bcuase the Mirena is in the way.

Also look up side afects of mirena before you decide Im considering having mine out because Im now getting the worst migranes every month when I have never had them like this before or this frequent. Im looking at a diaphram

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Good point Keike.

It's not impossible to get pregnant on Mirena - one of my uni friends did - but sadly, they are usually not viable pregnancies and will either miscarry naturally or need a medical termination becuase they won;t usually settle in the right spot bcuase the Mirena is in the way.

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This happened to my Mum, with one of the horrible old IUD's in the 70's. For this reason and also the other side effects, about the only option I'll have is a diaphragm.

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Just a note for those looking into Mirena - this doesn't prevent fertilisation, it prevents implantation, which could be a problem depending on your religious beliefs regarding abortion. I only bring it up because I was looking into it when I got married, and didn't realise that's how it worked :)

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It works to do both, actually, but it could prevent a pg after conception (as do many contraceptives). The Mirena works with secreting a local hormone that may stop ovulation, thin the uterine wall, stop sperm from going up the tubes and finally prevent an embryo attaching to the uterine wall if all the previous methods fail.

Many hormonal contraceptives don't prevent fertilisation (and pg). My DD is living proof! So if you have religious issues, hormonal contraceptives may be a sticking point anyway.

FWIW I had the Mirena and it worked almost faultlessly for four years, with only one minor issue from too much thinning of the uterus and a bit of discomfort at one point. It did take me a few months to get my cycles back on track, and they were not the textbook cycles they once were. So I don't think I'll go back down that path for personal reasons. I'l probably look at the nuvo ring as well next time.

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Thank you! lol I knew there was a contraception board somewhere :redface:

a friend of mine had the nuva ring. she said the hormone isn't so bad as it goes straight to where it's needed... she also said she was actually able to lose weight on it as well. i don't know much more about it than that.
My DH is planning on a Vas. after we have our last one, (this one) i don't know how he'll go tho being on 25. Mind you i'm quite glad he's taking on the responsibility, saves me having to take or do anything XD

Just to put it into perspective if 2000 women used a mirena for one year less than one would fall pregnant whereas if 100 women used a diaphragm somewhere between 4-15 would fall pregnant, which is similar to condoms. Mirena has a better success rate than getting a vasectomy or getting your tubes tied.

In the seventies they had a big problem with copper iuds, they got a bad name, many babies were born holding them but it is very different now

A copper IUD only prevents implantation but as Jennifer13 points out a mirena prevents pregnancy in different ways including changing the cervical mucous to make it hostile to sperm which prevents fertilisation.

Side effects are really the main reason people discontinue different contraceptives and as they go the Mirena is streets ahead of the depot injection or the pill as the levels of hormone reaching your system are less...BUT some women still get side effects... I couldn't tolerate a mirena for the local side effects and I was allergic to the plastic it was made of. Highly unusual but a bummer. I still recommend then because when they work they are wonderful.

I was looking in to the copper IUD because it is non-hormonal. It is not on the PBS so it is about $140 from the pharmacist I go to. Seeing as they can stay in for up to ten years I would want to get my money's worth so would rather wait until after I've finished having a family.

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Just to put it into perspective if 2000 women used a mirena for one year less than one would fall pregnant whereas if 100 women used a diaphragm somewhere between 4-15 would fall pregnant, which is similar to condoms. Mirena has a better success rate than getting a vasectomy or getting your tubes tied.

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Wow! Those are interesting stats. I'm not really surprised about the barrier methods - I imagine there's a fair amount of 'user error' in falling preggers with those but am very surprised at the surgical stats vs the Mirena.
I've never been a fan of the concept of an IUD... it's personal I suppose just like there are loads of people who hate condoms and DH and I have happily & successfully used them for years... even found them vaguely 'fun' at various points. But DH had a vasectomy last year and wow, it has been fabulous. But as the OP said, yes, you need to be comfortable with the permanency of it.

Or you could just swap bits with me! Then you'll pretty much be guaranteed not to get pregnant!!!!

Seriously though, good luck finding something that works for you!