The pill - going against gp's advice?

I don't have them at all, except occasionally a bit of spotting if I miss a pill (and even then I have to forget up until the time to take the next one, I can be 16 hours late and still not get any spotting, even though I don't have any pregnancy protection at that point). But if you put a sanitary towel and/or a tampon in your bag at all times then it's not too bad, and gives you enough time to either get home or get to a shop and get some. Suppose it'd be a pain if you were sat there not knowing if it was your period or not (depends how heavy).

Are there no patterns at all? Have to tried charting it?

Confused here. My mum had breast cancer too, about 10 years ago (more like 5 when I got the pill). I told the lady at the clinic this when I first got the pill and she went away and checked something then said I could have the combined pill. My doctors have also given it me before. I just find it easier to go to the clinic.

Whenever I have had to register though, I have lied about it and just said no to family members with cancer, because I am aware they may say no, and it is the only one that agrees with me (tried the POP).

People are influenced by scare stories. Plus the word 'coil' alone puts thousands of women off IUDs, even though Mirena doesn't even have any metal on it.

I saw a couple being put into nullips - they didn't seem too uncomfortable. Plus remember that its once every 5 years.

Its not 'permanent' - you can stop it whenever you want and be fully fertile (unlike the depot injection). It just doesn't require renewal, which is a good thing.

I feel I should point this out. I had one put in, I'm 18 and haven't given birth. I was really scared because of reviews saying things like "IT'S MORE PAINFUL THAN CHILDBIRTH!!!!!" and "I NEARLY PASSED OUT". In all honesty, I hardly felt anything. A couple of mild twinges, like a really really really mild menstrual cramp. I'd give it a 2/10, a blood test hurts more than that. Having your blood pressure taken hurts a hell of a lot more than coil insertion!

I think the pain is usually if you have something like a titled uterus or a cervix that is refusing to open. In most cases, it's not that bad. If it was, people wouldn't have it

I've had one. It was very painful, probably the worst pain I've felt. Although I would say I've never heard anyone say it was worse than childbirth.

Its definitely not the word putting them off!

Doesn't mean it wouldn't work for you though, and a pill is far less effective, is far more effort and has far more side-effects.

Each individual needs to decide what's right for them - sometimes there are cases where people try the coil and it isn't the best. However, if you need a new form of contraception and need to decide between them... IUDs are just hands down the best.

Yeah, it is totally random. Like once I stopped taking it for a bit, because I hadn't had any periods for like 6 months so I like to stop taking it just to check y'know? That's the one downside of a pill that gives you no periods. If it's working, no periods and if it's not working... Well, definitely no periods.

Anyway, that time that I stopped taking it, I bled for almost 2 solid weeks. I had like 2 days respite when I thought it had finished and then it started again just as heavy. Most of the time I get a bit here and there, and sometimes I get proper periods. It's all a bit random really. xD

I'm not sure you can say that different things work for different people and every individual needs to decide what's right for them and then say that IUDs are just hands down the best without contradicting yourself.

What i mean is, before you've tried anything and don't know what will work for you, the IUD is easily the best. Most in the medical profession would agree with me. There are also measures like the failure rate being lower than all other methods bar the implant (0.2% per year, vs 9% per year for the POP, say (typical use)).

If you've tried the POP already and found it amazing and never forget and don't mind having to go through all the faff of taking a regular pill, then you can make a case that its best for you individually. Before you knew that though, an IUD would have been the better choice for most women.

I'm plugging this because a lot of women have misconcenptions and irrational fears of "the coil" (), when its side-affect free (except sometimes irregular bleeding at first, rarely lasting longer), super-reliable, only needs reviewing every 5 years so super-convenient, and statistically the best at treating reducing periods. Most women don't find it very bad to be put in, and those that have had children often don't even notice any sensation at all. Its overlooked way too often.

That is so unusual, you'd expect some kind of pattern. Anyway, you can just carry sanitary protection with you at all times and you'll be fine (if a bit miffed).

I haven't had any periods for coming up to 2 years now, but I've also not been sexually active in that period so I'm not worried about having the same effect when it's not working. I know some doctors (my auntie is a GP) recommend pregnancy tests every 3 months or so to make sure, so that's probably what I'll do.

It does. Studies have been done. Calling it an 'intrauterine device' rather than a coil doubles uptake, even when the exact same explanation is given.

Patients also report substantially less pain, and get greater satisfaction from it.