Starting contraception for the first time (advice)

[Sweetcorn]

Hey guys, I’m looking for some contraception advice.

I’m 26 and I’ve never been on any form of hormonal contraception. I’d never (until now) been in a serious relationship where I would need regular contraception and I never wanted to take it ‘just because’ when I wasn’t having regular sex or anything. But I do need to start something.

I know from friends etc that you go to the GP for an appointment but is that still the way it’s done? (I’ve not been to the GP since I was in primary school!) And what about in terms of covid? Has anyone managed to get an appointment for contraception recently?... I feel like if I phone for an appointment they’ll probably say it’s not that important and won’t give me an appointment...? So that’s my first worry.

Next is what type of contraception do I go on? I’ve researched all then options and I just don’t know what one to go for. I don’t like the idea of never having a period. I am quite and anxious person and a big worrier, so being on contraception that completely stopped my period would make me stress so much. To me having a period is the clear cut way I know I’m not pregnant so without that I would be such a stress head and that’s even if I was on contraception, I’d still stress every month if my period didn’t come.

It also makes me worry that you don’t really know of contraception is working (unless it stops your period!!) So I feel like I’m in a losing battle . How can you trust that it’s working? I know I must sound crazy, I feel like everyone just takes it and goes about life never doubting it. I’m just not like that. I overthink things and worry too much. Does anyone else struggle with this? I really don’t want to be living month to month worrying every day until my period arrives. Am I making any sense?

I just don’t know what the heck to do. What would you all recommend? And any recent GP experiences in relation to contraception?

 

[Hobbitsies]

So, I'm 27 and I use the pill. I have since I was like 19?

The first pill I took was the combined pill which had a break week to allow for my period. Although you can continue taking the pills over the break week if you have something you don't want your period for! I like you liked the fact that this told me I wasn't pregnant. However, it really ducked with my hormones and I get migraines with aura so I had to come off it. However, it might be perfect with you as it is a great option if you want your period. Definitely talk to your GP!

Now I take desogestrel with is the progestogen only pill. It doesn't have a break week but I love not having my period. It is amazing and freeing. I don't worry about it starting when I am away or it ruining a holiday. I never want to go back tbh. Every so often I do have that omg am I pregnant fear but it passes.

I haven't used any other kind of BC (apart from condoms obv) and there are positives and negatives to all of them. For example, if you are bad with taking pills I wouldn't recommend them. Regardless go to your GP and ask about the options, they might be able to direct you to the best one. On top of this you can trial and error! If you take one pill and it doesn't work then tell your GP and then can get you another. Obviously the implant and coil are slightly harder to change quickly but they aren't permanent either.

I hope you figure out what is best for you! Never feel pressured into using BC that you aren't happy taking! I was young when I asked for the pill and they were worried I wouldn't take it at the same time everyday but I knew I could so I asked for it anyway.

 

[Pixipoppy]

I’ve been on various combined pills for over a decade, it’s usually the “entry level” contraception that they would put you on. It does stop your real periods but every month you can have a 7 day break and you will get a bleed - however this isn’t your natural period and wouldn’t have any indication of whether you are pregnant or no so please bear that in mind! If you take the pill properly there would be such a slim chance of pregnancy, I know I never really thought about it for all those years. Once you have been on the pill for a while and know how your body reacts to hormones you could chose to have a longer term contraceptive like the implant.

if you ring your GP surgery and say it’s about contraception they will probably give you an appointment with a nurse. They shouldn’t dismiss it as not important as contraception is definitely something they take seriously!

Good luck!

 

[BettyCrockerr]

If you can’t get a GP appointment with a Doctor or practise nurse, try to get to a sexual health/family planning or GUM clinic as they all should provide contraception

 

[Youre a wizard Harry]

I took progesterone only pill for 4 years. I was put on that as my blood pressure was a teeny bit too high at the initial appointment for the combined pill and the doctor I saw didn’t want to risk it. My periods almost completely stopped but I had a lot of spotting for the first six months. After that I’d have a bit of bleeding every few months. I had to go back after the first month to check everything was ok, after that I would go every 6 months and the. once a year and was given a years supply at a time.

I had an implant fitted after the nurse suggested I considered it when I went for the yearly check. It was good not having to worry about taking the pill and knowing it was just doing it’s thing. It’s also supposed to be one of the most reliable forms of contraception. After 2 years, I started having period like bleeding every 2 weeks, and I had it taken out a few months early. I tried the pill again but the bleeding continued. I am now completely off of hormonal contraception and using condoms for the time being.

There are a lot of options to consider and it can take a while. I was lucky that the first pill I tried agreed with me but a lot of people have other experiences. If you are worried about it definitely working, maybe the implant or coil is the way to go?

If you don’t manage to get an appointment with your GP, see if there is a sexual health clinic local to you who offer long term contraception. That’s where I had my implant taken out, this was in between lockdowns last year and they were offering appointments.

 

[JoeBloggs]

I’ve tried most contraception over the last 15 years. I started on the pill, then the hormonal coil, then the implant now on the copper coil.

I’ve now booked myself in to have my coil changed as it’s up for renewal. I’m going back to the hormonal coil.

I went via my local sexual health clinic and have been booked into the local hospital (that’s where they are based) in 6 weeks.

There is a huge amount of information on the nhs website and there is also a contraception quiz which works out what your priority is and therefore which one is situated to you.

Things to consider with the pill are, you have to remember to take it every day and if you have any sickness or are on some antibiotics it can stop it working.

It all depends what suits your life, I’m forgetful and I don’t like my heavy periods so long term hormonal suits me.

 

[ChampagneBox]

I had the implant from when I was 17 up until last august, I’m now 26. Worked for me! It’s a little faffy getting it out in and getting it out after the three years but I didn’t have to think about it or anything! Full disclosure I’m sure it made me out on a bit of weight and my sex drive went right down but other than that I didn’t have any major problems, and of course I never got pregnant so it did the job. And I have severe anxiety about getting pregnant due to personal reasons, so I understand the overthinking and stuff.
also, I see in your post you say you don’t know it’s working unless you don’t have a period, the implant can cause irregular bleeding, which I had a on average I’d say once every two months? But it doesn’t mean it’s not working but everyone’s different and you may not have any bleeding ever or you could bleed more often, there’s just no way of knowing! My cycle has gone back to normal from the first month I had it out, but again everyone’s different! let me know if you have any other questions!

edited to add the below poster is correct, I got prescribed the mini pill for my bleeding in the beginning, that tends to stop it.

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

I have never been to my GP for contraception. I started when I was 15 by going to the local family planning clinic at the hospital and asking them for the implant (the rod). I had that almost three years and then I had it removed when I split with my ex. I have to say, I didn’t like that one, I had constant periods (although I believe you can take something to help with that) and it just didn’t agree with me and I was glad when I had that out. With that being said, I know loads of people who have had it and felt fine.

I then, when I was 19, went on the combined pill. Again, I went to my local family planning clinic and asked for this, they completed some checks (health, family history, blood pressure) and then I was prescribed with that.

I find it now a lot easier to just buy the combined pill through the Lloyds pharmacy online doctor service. The chemist still does my weight and heigh and blood pressure before they prescribe each time to make sure it’s still suitable, but I find that the easiest way. I don’t like having to see my Gp if I can avoid it.

I do think contraception is a trial and error thing though and what works for one doesn’t work for everyone.

also, as someone else said, on the combined pill you have a “break week” and this gives you a fake period, but you can still be pregnant even if you get this. It’s not a clear cut way to say you’re not.

 

[grumpycat]

Contraception is a hard one and I would also consider how far in the future you might want to think about a family if that’s something you want. If so, some hormonal contraception can take a long time to come off (in regards to getting your cycles back properly) so also worth looking at those options too. As I said you might not want anything anytime soon but it’s something to think about

as mentioned above any period on a hormonal pill (not sure about the others) is hormone induced and not a proper period.

 

[sassmaster3000]

Frustratingly, everyone responds to birth control really differently and you'll never know what side effects you'll have until you try it.
If you want to keep having a period, then your best option is probably the COCP (combined oral contraceptive pill) - which is good because if it's not working for you, then you can just stop taking it!
You can also try the POP (progesterone only pill), which is the one you take every day without a 7 day break. Hard to know if you'll get a period, but a lot of people report lighter periods, or them stopping completely after a while.

Otherwise, you have your long term options.
Theres a depot injection - an injection into your bum/thigh every 3 months. Most common side effect is irregular bleeding.

Even longer than that - you can opt for implants or coils.
If you're in the UK, the implant on offer lasts for 3 years. A lot of people have bleeding irregularities with it and it can take a few months for your body to get used to it, which can be frustrating, but it is a really good option! (I've been using them for 10 years and haven't had a period unless my body is extremely stressed, so that's a bonus for me!)

Coil-wise, there's a copper coil, or a hormonal (Mirena) coil. They both last for years (Mirena is 5, copper is 5-10).

Most people get started on one of the pill options but it depends if you're one of those people who wants to take a tablet every day and can trust yourself to remember to take it. Otherwise, don't be scared to try something and then stop it if it's not working for you. Getting a coil or an implant put in doesn't mean committing to the full 3-10 years, you can get it removed if you want! (Covid permitting, of course).

Sorry for the essay but I am more than happy for you to DM me if you have any questions, I do this every day and would rather people be informed about their options! Hope you find something that works for you!

Editing to add: agree with all the above posters that the "period" you get on COCP isn't a real period. But from my experience, this bleed is mentally relieving for a lot of people. So if bleeding is going to help you, even if you know it's not a real period, then go for it.

 

[DoctorWho]

I work in a GP surgery. Just phone & ask to discuss contraception. We can prescribe it over a telephone appointment if you can get your blood pressure done yourself. My own personal GP I have been into recently though for an appointment to get the pill. Think a lot of places are working differently, but don’t be afraid to ask

 

[WilmaHun]

My GP is currently seeing people, I had a pill check up not long ago. You'll be best calling up and seeing what your particular surgery are doing. If they're not seeing people you could always try family planning clinic, they will be able to help.

I am on the pill, I did also try the patch but didn't get on with it at all. It's all about finding what suits you - your GP will be able to help you work this out though.

Don't be afraid to call and ask though, they'll receive numerous calls of the same type week in week out. Good luck!

 

[Sunflower91]

Unfortunately I think a lot of sexual health clinics are closed right now due to covid (or at least they were in my area) but GPs are still doing appointments. They’ll probably want to chat to you first about your decision. I got the implant recently and there was a slight delay due to lack of appointments becusse of covid vaccination clinics.