After having an unexpected pregnancy and procedure the next step was clear, a better form of contraception, condoms alone were not cutting it for me.
I knew I had additional options to the condom, so I researched them this is what I found;
It is a small tablet you take once a day. The pill contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is taken daily to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg.
Only thing is you have to remember to take it.
This is a small, flexible rod that is put under the skin of the upper arm, it sets off progestiogen which stops the ovaries from releasing eggs, this usually lasts for three years provided you don’t have to get it removed.
An IUD is a small device shaped like a “T” that goes in your uterus, they can come in copper or Mirena, Mirena is a hormone based one that lets off the hormone progestogen into the uterus, which keeps the ovaries from realising eggs, the copper one lets off copper which prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. The cooper one can last from 5-10 years, where Mirena will last to five.
Every three months you would get an injection of progestin in your bum, which of course stops you from making eggs.
This is made from a thin flexible rubber that stops sperm from entering a vagina.
To me the choice was clear, Implanon because I have a bad memory and often forgot to take the pill. I did consider having an injection every three months, but I can still forget to make an appointment or be too busy to make the appointment, so I went with something I can forget.
I know it is the right choice because I haven’t had any side effects, but I still made an appointment for three weeks after having it in just for a general check-up.
Even though I have the bar, I still use condoms when with a partner because it still means I can get STI’s, contraception doesn’t protect you from STI’s!
One thing that worried me the most was about how much it would cost, to my surprise it was cheap for a long term form of contraception $36! To get it in $5 through family planning.
I would suggest the bar to any girls who are considering going on contraception, but you need to find what you think is right for you, don’t be afraid to see a doctor or nurse, they are really helpful and have all the facts. For professional advice on contraception options visit Family Planning NSW – this is my summary from my experience, but check their great factsheets out for full details and have that chat with you nurse of doctor.
Also check the related topics:
Contraception OptionsSpeaking to someone about your problems can be the first steps to a solution.
