Contraception question for ladies...

[Bon1]

Hi everyone

Well I haven't exactly been swinging from the chandeliers this last year and a half since "it" began. And I guess it's a sign that I'm feeling a bit better that I'm even starting to get round to prioritising something other than surviving again! 😀

I hope people don't mind me asking but is there a recommended method of contraception for people with auto immune disease? Especially important When on methotrexate.

I used to have a Mirena coil which I loved but I had it removed as it was coming to the end of the 5 years and now I'm wondering whether to go back to that or whether another type of coil or an implant might be better - or something else entirely??

Would appreciate any words of wisdom on this.

Thanks in advance

Bon

X

[oldtimer]

If the Mirena IUD suited you before, that seems a good solution. But best to go to a good sexual health or family planning clinic to see a professional with a special interest in contraception who will be able to take you through the pros and cons of any method that interests you. If you are in the UK and you don't have a local authority clinic (and many have been closed due to the cuts in funding) then try something like a Marie Stopes Clinic.

[Bon1 in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you old timer. You're right. The clinic I used to go to seems to have been "disappeared" while my mind was focused elsewhere. Appalling!

[farm123]

I have had a mirena and it worked well for me. It has now been in longer than the recommended 5 years but just had blood tests for menopause so have to have them checked again in a year and then it can come out. My doctor believed it was better to leave the same one in whilst checking as chances are I am past the menopause now and less chance of infection. Between my two sets of children I had a different type of IUD and was on gold then. With the mirena I was on various biologics and hydroxy and never had any issues. Of course we are all different.

Your GP practice may have a GP with an interest and the relevant training in contraception. My daughter has just had an implant in her arm by one of our GP's (not nice putting it in) which should protect her for 3 years. Unfortunately I cannot find the name of it at the moment as there was information on the internet about it. Farm

[Bon1]

Thank you farm. I think probably the sensible thing would be to go back to the mirena. I just got a bit rattled because of one or two things I read in the internet about hormones and RA. But given that the inernetvwill probably tell you anything in the world, it's good to hear from someone who has had no issues combining this method at the same time as living with auto immune problems.

Does your daughter have RA? I was thinking about an implant but am on steroids and from what I can work out they're not great for bone density...(mine's already a bit rubbish)

Bon x