Hi IM's, let me start out by saying I'm still fairly young (25), but I know that shortly my childbearing years will be up. Our family is almost complete (my husband and I both agree on this) and physically, I won't be able to carry any more children after this current pregnancy.
I'm looking into different contraceptive and sterilisation options and just want to hear your stories on what worked for you, what didn't and if you had any regrets if you chose permanent sterilisation at a younger age.
I have been on the pill previously and tried many different types and there is no way I can use them again. They turn me into an absolute monster and my anger gets completely out of control. I'm very concerned that the same thing will happen with things like the implanon and mirena. Has anyone found the side affects of the longer term contraceptives different to those of the pill?
I've also researched the more permanent options and my main misgivings are the potential risks/side affects and I'm terrified of being put under anaesthetic (although I'm sure if it came to crunch time I would deal with this issue at the time). If you could share your experience with any of these I would be very grateful.
I understand the ramifications of the more permanent options so please, only share your experiences, not your opinions on what I should and should not be doing. I am only researching options at the moment (and yes we are looking at a vasectomy for my husband but want to know what all of our options are).
Thanks IM's!
6 Replies
I found the implanon a nightmare and the pill was not very good for me either (but again its different for everyone). The implanon and the mirena are very easy to have removed if you have any unwanted side effects that you can't handle, your GP can remove them.
I tried the nuva ring, I really like it besides the restless legs as a side effect for me, but a rare side effect. The nuva ring you insert yourself for three weeks and take it out and leave out for the week (if you want a period) if you don't want a period you replace with a new ring. I just set the reminder on my phone to remind me when to change it, easy peasy and I liked that I could remove it myself if I had a bad reaction. I personally decided to try everything before I got my tubes tied because once it is done it really is done, even though I was 99% sure I did not want more kids.
I ended up going with tubal ligation eventually. Beware that lots of women end up on hormonal contraceptives to control periods after the procedure. My period went from 3 days to 5 so I didn't need to. The problems with tube tying is, it is pretty much unreversable so if you did change your mind later you would be looking at IVF and it is still not 100%, you are also at risk of ectopic pregnancy. My sister had an ectopic pregnancy after her tube tying (which was the same surgeon who did mine, and we had the surgery within a few days of each other).
If you have a partner I'd also look into a vasectomy, it is much easier surgery, less risky, quicker recovery tine, and I think its more easily reversed. I didn't have a partner, but was using my tubes as a second line of defence (condoms 1st line).
Implanon was not the best for.me either and I deal with hormonal contraceptives very well! I personally would say that it's great that you're.considering a vasectomy as it's probably the safest and most reversible (if this ever becomes an issue) option aside from more temporary hormonal contraceptives for females. Good on you for considering all options and going in educated though! :)
My husband had the snip, best thing we ever did. It is less invasive then female sterilization. I'd highly look into that. Also if you both happen to decide later on you might want another child or you and hubs separate and want further children, a vasectomy has a better success rate of reversing then female sterilization. GL.
My hubby also had snip and best decision for us! No more stress of falling pregnant when I have already had two high risk pregnancies and also my body did not take well to contraceptives! It's less invasive for men getting the snip and women have enough responsibility with pregnancy and childbirth!!! Good luck, you have to both be on the same page tho as I know some men can feel a bit funny about getting a snip!!
My Hubby got a vasectomy done after baby #3. We knew we didn't want any more kids and hubby said even if we did split for some reason he is happy with the 3 he has. Was the best decision ever! It's one less thing to worry about and because we did it shortly after the birth of our daughter we went over the Medicare thresh hold and claimed 80% of the cost back. He saw dr snip and had key hole done, he drove himself home and was back at work after a couple of days (if he had an office job it would have been sooner).
I'm 26 and my husband is 25, we have 2 kids and family is complete- I physically can't have any more kids due to damage done when I gave birth. So my husband got the snip and great great decision!