I am thinking off coming off the pill, as I'm getting fed up of it. I don't experience any side effects of it, except for maybe a slight bloated feeling. I tried to change my diet slightly and cut out rubbish foods but I'm not feeling much better. One of the main other reasons is that I'm becoming terrible at remembering to take it lately, and to be honest it's becoming a bit of a burden having to remember it. I've tried other forms of contraception that don't require this but I didn't get on with them and have looked at others available, all of which don't suit me due to my lifestyle/family medical history or appeal to me with their bad side effects/long time for fertility to return to normal etc.
Another reason is that I also want to experience what my body is like without pumping it full of synthetic hormones as well. I've been on the pill a while now (7yrs is a long time for me), and I have never experienced what it's like without it. I was given it originally for my periods then just carried on taking it when I became sexually active as it suited me really well. I like the fact that its settled my periods down, made them lighter, 'regular' and less painful, but have read quite a few horror stories from people who have come off it and what they went through. Has anyone came off the pill and what were your personal expereinces?
I've now come to the conclusion that condoms may be the only last option. I've spoken to my OH about this and, although we both don't particularly like them, he has been very supportive and understanding towards the way I'm feeling. We both aren't ready for a family yet either, but I can't help feeling selfish by asking this of him and have told him so (he said that he has been the selfish one expecting me to be the one taking the contraception and having to remember to take my pill everyday- he isn't selfish, I was on it long before I met him).
Are condoms really a suitable and reliable long term contraceptive method? I know no contraception is 100%, but I can't help worrying that one day we might get caught out using them, for the sake of me being so lazy and forgetful for me to just remember to take my pill. (I also know we will probably end up getting bored of using them, as if I'm honest it's not the same feeling. Although, having not used them much together except for at the beginning of our relationship, it does seem a bit of a novelty at the moment practising with them before I finally decide what I will do.)
Can anyone help? I thought it was just women that have problems with their contraception or who are thinking of conceiving that come off their contraceptive method, but neither applies to me, and it confuses me as to why I'm feeling this way apart from the fact that I'm fed up of it and forgetful with it. Is that really a good enough reason?!
Thanks WandA, can't use the coil/IUS as my nan had it and it caused all sorts of pfoblems and it became imbedded in the her womb and perforated it, causing lots of other complications. I looked into the cap and it seems quite awkaward for me to use personally.
i came off the pill once for a while but really i hadn't been on it for that long in the first place so i'm not sure about the horror stories.
the problem with these stories is that they happen once in a blue moon but one or two of them can make it feel like it definitely will happen to you!
if you're worried about coming off, maybe a quick trip to your gp might help
as for other methods of contraception, there aren't really alot around that are either hormone free or not fiddly! if you see what i mean
maybe you should consider, after some reassurance, coming off the pill for a few months and using condoms, then trying something like an implant or injection so you don't need to worry about being forgetful.
I've never come off the pill (I'm not allowed to take any OCPs) but I do a few general piece of advice on contraception.
- If you're forgetting to take your pill then you're already running a risk of pregnancy so if you're not ready for a family I would consider using condoms as welljust in case.
- Diaphragms are alright, not hormonal but like condoms - not all that reliable
- There's a progesterone only injection you can have once every three months that's pretty hassle free and would perhaps be a better alternative
- The coil is what I have and I think it's amazing. It's as effective as sterilisation surgery but is completely reversible (i.e. your fertility is normal once it's taken out). It only needs replacing once every five years so you don't have to remember to take a pill every day. The progeterone is only released in teeny, tiny amounts in the womb so you don't have lots of hormones circulating round your body - they're kept in the area of need.
Best thing to do is book a double appointment with your doctor or at a family planning clinic and discuss your options in detail with the experts. They're lovely people and they'll have access to your medical history as well as info on the full range of possible methods. Doctors are usually ready to accomodate any personal feelings or issues you have when it comes to contraception so just go, be honest and they'll help.
Have I come off the pill - yes, it didn't agree with my body at all and I had to come off of it after quite a few years (not as many as 7 admittedly but maybe 5?) and I didn't have any side affects except my periods are heavy and painful on the first day plus I get an upset tummy but this is my body rather than related to the pill, as I've been pill free for, probably another 5 years and nowt's changed!!
To be honest I'm glad I'm not on it - my body is regular as clockwork now - took a while but I know when I'm due on the same as I would if I was still on the pill. I always make sure I have things in my bag just in case it decides to change its mind when to arrive but I have only been caught out once!!
Condoms - they're a pain in the arse but we just make sure we always have some around and pick them up with the monthly shopping - or better still LH have better deals - 100 condoms for next to nothing. In terms of being selfish I don't think you are. If you're a couple you should both take the responsibility and it seems like he knows this so I wouldn't worry about that - where does it say the women has to be responsible for making sure she doesn't get pregnant!
There's nothing wrong with just being fed up of taking the pill. After all, its not a life saving tablet or anything - its something you choose to take and now your choosing not to take it.
I think, if you really want to stop taking it, do it. try condoms and see what happens. If it really doesn't fit in with your current lifestyle there's nothing to say you can't go back on the pill.
Ultimately you know its your choice - I didn't suffer any adverse affects except what I've mentioned but I know that there's nothing in my body and should I want to conceive there's no waiting time for the hormones to leave my body.
I don't like the idea of these injections or implants because of the nasty side effects, I can't have the coil as I mentioned before. The pill suits me so well, and I have no problems with it, just remebering to take it. When I say I forget it, not exactly, I usually end up taking it either a couple hrs late or if I'm about and spot it on the side, I end up taking it too early which isn't necessarily a good thing either. I do have a cervical ectropion though, which my doctor said has been caused by me taking the pill.
Thanks guys you've been so helpful and supportive. It's now just the whole condom-are they a relaible long term contraception question? I think I've decided and knew deep down it's either the pill or not the pill and just use condoms. I'm adamant that I don't want to use any other contraception as I don't like whole concept of them/side effects/fertility takes ages to return/risks of damaging my body like with the coil and the problems my nan had. I know everyone is different and it might not do to me what it did to her, but I don't want to take that risk.
I've tried the whole setting alarms thing and that didn't work, I was either out at the time and didn't have my pill with me or I was somewhere inconvenient to tkae it etc..
Thanks guys you've been so helpful and supportive. It's now just the whole condom-are they a relaible long term contraception question? I think I've decided and knew deep down it's either the pill or not the pill and just use condoms. I'm adamant that I don't want to use any other contraception as I don't like whole concept of them/side effects/fertility takes ages to return/risks of damaging my body like with the coil and the problems my nan had. I know everyone is different and it might not do to me what it did to her, but I don't want to take that risk.
rb
x x
I'm exactly the same and know what you mean - I can't take the pill and I just don't want to use anything else. We've been using condoms for years now and for us personally we're starting to get fed up of using them but they can be a long term solution if both of you are comfortable using them.
It's what works for you - perhaps start using condoms whilst your on the pill and she what happens over the next few weeks x
I've tried the whole setting alarms thing and that didn't work, I was either out at the time and didn't have my pill with me or I was somewhere inconvenient to tkae it etc..
rb
x x
Ad keeps a pack of 'spares' in her bag to take with her if the alarm goes off and she's not at home.
I only mention because you mention because you seem to be happy with the pill.
I'm happy cos it's the only thing that suits me that I've never had to worry about it effectiveness, condoms worry me in case they split, but I am just fed up with taking it and the fact that I'm beginning to 'forget' it makes me want to stop it all the more.
I do know how you feel RB - I was considering coming off the pill because I'm sick of taking tablets every day but now I *have* to take medication every day anyway I've given up on that idea so I've no advice I'm afraid.
Your nan may have had problems with the coil but it doesn't necessarily mean you will (unless obviously you share a medical condition you'd prefer not to disclose here which is totally fair enough ). I just say this because unless you've been medically advised otherwise by a GP (and in this intance probably also a gynae specialist) there is hope - everyone is different. My mum had terrible problems with the coil but I'm fine. I think the difference there was mum had one of the old copper style ones which are a bit, primitive (?!) by comparison with the high tech (and considerably smaller) plastic+hormone one I've got.
Definately speak to a medical professional - them's the smart ones!
Aimee has the rod in her arm, its incredible! she ahd a little inconvient bleeding but not much and very rarely for around 3-4 week, but the rod last 3 years, you dont get periods for the whole time you have it, and its probably the safest method for not getting pregnant! were so glad we went through with it, then in three years we just get another one put in :)
speak to a local GP about it thats what we did and they were very helpfull x
Aimee has the rod in her arm, its incredible! she ahd a little inconvient bleeding but not much and very rarely for around 3-4 week, but the rod last 3 years, you dont get periods for the whole time you have it, and its probably the safest method for not getting pregnant! were so glad we went through with it, then in three years we just get another one put in :)
speak to a local GP about it thats what we did and they were very helpfull x
You can get periods - some women don't some do, depends on your own body :)
Also it's one of the safest, but there are many other options with the same effectiveness.
I'ts all a toss up of effectiveness and side effects - as with any contraceptive, the implant has side effects so it's about picking what's best for you :) many women love the implant, many would prefer other alternatives.
Aimee has the rod in her arm, its incredible! she ahd a little inconvient bleeding but not much and very rarely for around 3-4 week, but the rod last 3 years, you dont get periods for the whole time you have it, and its probably the safest method for not getting pregnant! were so glad we went through with it, then in three years we just get another one put in :)
speak to a local GP about it thats what we did and they were very helpfull x
You can get periods - some women don't some do, depends on your own body :)
Also it's one of the safest, but there are many other options with the same effectiveness.
I'ts all a toss up of effectiveness and side effects - as with any contraceptive, the implant has side effects so it's about picking what's best for you :) many women love the implant, many would prefer other alternatives.
RB if you look at your options here :
http://www.fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/contraception
it might help you decide :)
Adx
well said :) we got lucky that the first one we tried was near enough perfect :) x
I was on the pill for 6 years and like you I originally went on it for periods but when i became sexually active it suited me and used condoms for first 6 months and hated them.
I recently thought about coming off pill as had no problems but like you i'd been on it for a long time and wanted a more long-term solution, i didnt struggle taking it but it did make me feel bloated sometimes.
So i had the implant fitted, after looking at lots of options its was right for me, 3 years and good success rate. no pill to take and i've had 2 periods since fitted in 3 months and they were very very light and only lasted 3 days, there are drawbacks so i would strongly recommend looking at all options and see which suits you and your lifestyle best.