Contraception

One thing that has been pretty much stable in my life for over 10 years is the fact that I have been on the Combined Contraceptive Pill for as many years. I started it at the age of 15 as I used to have absolutely terrible acne and I haven’t stopped it since then as there has been no need to. 

Now one thing that happened when I was initially admitted into hospital was that I also came on my period despite having taken my pill religiously as I always have done. This made it clear to me that when I was having a flare up, the pill was possibly not the safest method of contraception anymore. When you read the instructions for the pill, it is very clear that if you have any vomiting or diarrhoea then you should use additional protection as you are not properly protected. As someone that spent 9 days (and a few more) shitting (sorry no other way of putting it) I certainly had diarrhoea! When I started my period as I was in the hospital I was not actually that surprised but it did create the question of what I should be doing about my contraception. 

It wasn’t something I felt the urgent need to be thinking about. I was so ill that it was on the list but not something I had to tackle straight away for certain! 

Anyway, a few months passed and I FINALLY got round to thinking about it. I am quite picky when it comes to contraception. The coil is too invasive for me, so wouldn’t work. I don’t like the idea of the injection because I don’t like the idea of anything being put in me that I cant quite quickly remove, especially with all of the medications that I have reacted badly too, I don’t feel comfortable with the injection, so that comes off the table. LOADS of people talk to me about the implant and how it is the best thing since sliced bread, I however disagree. I have heard some horror stories about how people’s mental health has been impacted by the implant as well as the scar that it leaves on people’s arms etc. So again, that’s off the table! 

Now more recently they have come out with the contraceptive patch and this is what I wanted. It isnt affected by vomiting or diarrhoea, but works very similarly to the pill in that you have a week’s break from it! You stick one patch on per week and thats about it, you can put the patch wherever you like and forget it is there. 

I have a three month prescription to start with and then I will let you know how I have got on!

(P.S: Sorry Mum and Dad for the possible TMI on my contraception..)