Pill or Injection

[Curious79]

Hiya, I was on the pill for about 10 years but stopped taking it about 6 months ago and feel so much better. I have a new boyfriend and need to start some form of contraception again. I ma reluctant to go back on the pill and have looked into the injection but have been put off by the side effects as they would last for the 12 weeks. Also, it says you will almost definately put on weight which is something which hasn't happened to me on the pill. And finally it says that it will take a while for you to become fertile again. Can anyone tell me there experiences of the pill vs injection and what you think is best. Help me please!!!

[atolhurst]

I'm very pro injection so this is biased I'm afraid.

As far as I'm aware the chemical makeup of the two methods is quite similar so any side effects you had while on the pill, are likely to be the same on the injection. The only difference I experienced (because your body doesn't take a break from the drug like the week off you have on the pill) is that my periods stopped which took some getting used to, but I wouldn't change that for the world.

If you are planning to have kids at some point, it can take some time to get your system back in order (up to a year apparently although a friend of mine conceived within 3 months of coming off - everyone is different). The bonus in that however is that there's almost no chance of getting pregnant by accident.

Injection at your GP or family planning clinic once everyt hree months - a small needle in the base of your back/top of the bum. A small price to pay for a hassle free sex life. No having to remember to take it (that's the main reason why I changed - I was hopeless!).

I did look at other methods but nothing else seems to have this no period perk, so I'll be on it for the foreseeable future.

[mycatis]

I had the injection a couple of times and didn't like it. I had no period for the first three months, then bled for whole of the next three months, it was a nightmare, i ended up very anaemic (sp?) I've got the implant now and it's great! You only have to get it changed once every three years and fertility returns to normal within 24 hours of being removed (apparently)

[Curious79]

Thanks but now I am even more confused!!! Implant?? Now I'll have to study that too.....

[lady_p_gold]

Several of my friends are swearing by the new Mirena coil which is different than the old sort as it works by releasing hormone into the womb and virtually none is absorbed into the body so there are no hormonal side effects - plus the fact you have very light periods or none at all. They all say its great.

[lady_p_gold]

Here is some info

www.mirena.com

[Pherstun]

I am on the injection and have not noticed any bad side effects - only good ones! Like many others I no longer have periods, ditto any PMT/PMS symptoms stop.

My husband and I have no intention of having kids so the fertility thing isn't an issue, but apparently it can take up to a year to become fertile again. Depends if/when you want kids.

I'm not convinced it will *definitely* cause you to put on weight, as far as I'm aware it's only a possibility, and I can't really comment on this because I lost 6 stone in a year while on the injection, then through stress and depression overeating have put nearly all of it back on in 1 1/2 yrs, so...

[GraceAnais]

i was on the injection for 2 years. first year was fine. in the second i put on 1 stone, even though i ate and exercised the same. i put it all on the back of my hips. i also developed acne even though i'm in my twenties!

i came off it in Feb this year and my period is still not back to normal, but the acne went within weeks as did a stone in weight!

personally i'd steer clear. from experience it has nasty side-effects that take a while to come out and a long time to disappear.

[maxton]

Why don't you try the coil? No chemicals - no side effects. Easy!

Better still ask your new boyfriend to do the decent thing and take care of the contraception. This will force him to at least participate in the process if nothing else.

Don't forget the sexual health bit. A good clamidia infection can really screw up your fertility for life. Another good reason to get the condoms out - or do you not trust him to do the right thing?

[mrsflowers]

My personal experience of the injection is not good, I put on about 3 stone and went from a 10 to a 16, I just blew up. After the last injection my body took 2+ years to get back to some sort of normality and I'm still having some problems. I would not recommend it!