Can't take birth control pills anymore—what are my options?

Well, the title pretty much says it all... Since I’ve been dealing with varicose veins, I’ve been "playing around" with birth control even though I knew deep down it wasn't the smartest move. That is, until my doctor flat out told me I need to forget about the pill entirely, otherwise I'm looking at some serious vascular issues...
I'm honestly feeling a bit lost right now. I've been in a committed relationship for seven years, but condoms cause this painful irritation for me, and getting pregnant is currently "off the table" because of my thyroid condition—my doctors have made it clear that I can't risk a pregnancy without medical stabilization first. So, I'm stuck in this sort of limbo... please, just don't suggest abstinence as a solution 🙄 tracking fertile and non-fertile days isn't reliable enough for me, and I really don't know what my next move should be... any (constructive) advice would be so appreciated 😉

Look, try finding some condoms that don't cause that stinging sensation, because honestly, I don't see what else would help besides that. You could also try tracking your fertile window using something like the Billings method.
There are seriously a million different brands out there today; I bet one of them will work for you.

Also, you might want to look into balancing your flora down there (get that ecosystem in check :p), so maybe try taking Lactogyn. Hormonal birth control can really mess with your vaginal pH levels.

An IUD is an option, though if my memory serves me right, they usually don't recommend them for women who haven't given birth yet.

And hey, give your doctor some credit for looking out for you. Pills are fine, but it's still playing with hormones, which can lead to "post-pill amenorrhea"—and trust me, that is a huge pain in the ass.

Or, maybe it’s just time to start thinking about having a baby and figure out your contraception situation for the next 10 months or so. 😁

swiftbison25 said:So, the title pretty much sums it up... since I deal with varicose veins, I’ve been "playing around" and taking pills even though I knew better—until my doctor basically told me I need to forget birth control entirely because I'm looking at massive issues with my veins if I don't...
I'm honestly lost right now. I've been in a relationship for 7 years, condoms cause me this painful irritation, and getting pregnant is a total "no-go" because of my thyroid issues—it's one of those things where you can't just get pregnant without everything being medically regulated first. So now I'm stuck. And please—don't just suggest abstinence 🙄 tracking fertile days isn't foolproof and I have no idea what to do... any (constructive) advice would be appreciated. 😉

Honestly, those condoms might actually be your best bet. Try different brands; maybe a different material will sit better. I'm not sure if diaphragms are even easy to come by here or how the whole process works. Plus, are you even in the mood for inserting something like that and having to fuss with it? 😕
But seriously, your best move is to sit down with your OB-GYN and talk through your options.

P.S. I'm in the exact same boat. Condoms are the only thing that works for me, period.

I feel like I would have reached my breaking point with condoms by now, but honestly, I just can't deal with using them constantly... and besides, I’d much rather just let my partner enjoy himself without all that friction 🙄 but I wanted to get your thoughts—how reliable is it really to just "watch" the cycle and then rely on a condom during my fertile window?

Oh man, I can totally picture exactly how you're feeling right now.
Personally, I absolutely love sex, but condoms have always been such a nuisance for me; honestly, if I could just take birth control without any drama, I’d be all over it, but I went through a bit of a rough patch for a while. I was dealing with this weird pain, like a vein in my leg was constantly "tightening" up, so I ended up going for ultrasounds and had blood clotting tests done three separate times, plus every other exam you can imagine, and everything came back perfectly normal. O.o It was so strange, but since everything checked out, I stayed on the pill, and thank goodness, those issues haven't come back.
I remember feeling just utterly miserable when I genuinely thought I might never be able to use hormonal contraceptives again.
An IUD is really off the table since you haven't gone through childbirth, and methods like tracking fertile days just don't work for me personally—I think I'd just live in a state of constant, paralyzing anxiety about the possibility of getting pregnant.
Maybe you could try a little compromise? Like, maybe you use a diaphragm sometimes, and then your boyfriend uses a condom at other times? That way, you both get a little bit of what you want. 🙂
I've heard that using a diaphragm isn't even that big of a deal once you actually get used to the sensation.

swiftbison25 said:I honestly feel like I could have gotten through my entire supply of condoms by now, but I just can't seem to stay consistent with them, which I know isn't exactly ideal for my partner. 🙄 I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on the safety of relying on the withdrawal method while using condoms specifically during fertile windows?

It’s a bit of a difficult question to pose, I suppose... whenever I decide to take a break from my birth control pills, I tend to rely on the withdrawal method instead of using condoms. 😬 While it isn't exactly what medical experts would advise, I suppose it really comes down to how much risk you feel comfortable taking on—and since it’s impossible to predict how things might unfold, that uncertainty can be quite heavy. From what I’ve gathered about your situation, it seems like you might not be entirely ready to face those potential consequences just yet, so perhaps it would be best to give this some serious thought before deciding whether or not to proceed.

Olivia Cox77 said:Well, have you considered trying something different? Like, maybe one of you uses a diaphragm while the other uses condoms? That way, you both get your own 🙂
. Apparently, once you get used to using a diaphragm, it isn't even that big of a deal...

I’ve actually given some thought to the diaphragm method, but it doesn't seem very common here in the States... and since I haven't spent much time researching it, finding things like the necessary spermicide or other specific supplies feels like quite a challenge... 😢

I’m dealing with the exact same thing 😢—specifically, my dad has a history of thrombosis, so my doctor basically told me to stay away from standard birth control pills (even though I was taking them fine before all this came to light). Now, I’m back at square one, trying to find a reliable alternative.
I actually sought out a second opinion from another OBGYN who argued that thrombosis risk should really only be assessed based on maternal or sisterly history... which honestly just leaves me feeling more confused than before.
In the meantime, I found out there are options available even for women with a genetic predisposition to blood clots. These are mini-pills (like Cerazette, for instance). I have an appointment with a new specialist next week, and I plan to bring this up.
Regardless, my advice is to talk it through with your doctor. There has to be a better way than just relying on condoms. 😉
The pill worked perfectly for me until I found out about my father's condition. 😢
If anyone here has actual experience with these mini-pills, please let me know. 🙂

northerntiger said:Finding condoms that don't give you that stinging sensation can be such a massive headache. It feels like half the brands out there are just loaded with harsh chemicals or weird additives that trigger an immediate reaction. If you're dealing with irritation, it’s definitely worth looking into options that skip the heavy scents and lubricants that usually cause the most trouble. You really have to hunt for something specifically labeled as sensitive or hypoallergenic to get any relief...

I was actually just about to write this exact same thing. Honestly, most brands leave me feeling a bit numb, but I’ve found that Durex Ultra Thin ones are a total game-changer—you can barely even tell you're wearing them. It might be worth experimenting with a few different varieties to see if there's a better fit for you...

So you're saying you can't even think about getting pregnant until you've actually sorted out those thyroid issues first... but if you go ahead and fix the thyroid, then what? 🤷

My doctors aren't keen on putting me on the pill since everything else seems to be functioning just fine... I'm just dealing with a high antibody count at the moment. I have to be extremely careful about pregnancy so it doesn't affect the baby, though honestly, I'm in no rush to start a family quite yet 😉

IUDs, diaphragms, pulling out, or maybe those condoms specifically designed for sensitive skin?
Believe me, it takes some time to get used to using condoms again after you’ve been on the pill, but once you find your rhythm, it becomes perfectly fine.

I suppose I’ll have to come up with some sort of workaround... I really don't have any other choice 😢

swiftbison25 said:I guess I’ll have to figure something out; I don't really have any other 😢

I know it's going to be a headache until you find which condoms actually work for you, but like someone else mentioned above, maybe try the Durex ultra-thin or elite ones... personally, I think the best

ironscout15 said:In the meantime, I found out there are actually pills that women who've had thrombosis—or even those with a genetic predisposition for it—can take. They're called mini-pills (like Cerazette, for example). I'm seeing a new gynecologist next week, so I'll definitely ask about that.
Anyway, I’d strongly suggest you get some clarity from your doctor. There has to be another option besides just relying on condoms 😉

Look, let's get real: there aren't really any contraceptive pills safe for women who have dealt with thrombosis or fall into those high-risk categories. Cerazette is basically the same thing as Yasmin—it's a Progestagen-only-pill, which is still a hormone.

I’m saying this because I lived it—Yasmin was the literal trigger for the thrombosis I barely survived. And here's the kicker: nobody in my family has ever had deep vein thrombosis! I happen to have two genetic mutations, and Yasmin just... flipped the switch on them. That was it. Now, according to every single specialist I've seen—internal medicine, hematologists, OB-GYNs, you name it—the pill is off the table entirely. Period. It’s condoms or nothing.

Ask about the Mirena. I’m not an expert on how those hormones actually behave in the body, but I do know they can be used by women who haven't given birth. It’s a bit more uncomfortable during the process, sure, but it gets done.

Sam Castillo7 said:Look, there aren't any contraceptive pills available for women who have dealt with thrombosis, fall into high-risk categories, or similar. Cerazette is just like Yasmin—it's a pill containing only progesterone, which is the same hormone.

I am speaking from direct experience. Yasmin was the trigger for a thrombosis that I barely survived. No one in my family has ever had deep vein thrombosis. However, I carry two genetic mutations that Yasmin "activated," and that's how it happened. Now, I am done with pills entirely. Every doctor I've consulted—from my internist and hematologist to my gynecologist—has told me the same thing. That is the end of the conversation. Condoms, and that's it.

That was a bit depressing to read. I am truly sorry you went through that. It makes me realize this could happen to me too, which is exactly why I stopped taking Yasmin.
Since then, I have been researching various pill options, trying to find a solution—a method of contraception I can use without the constant fear of thrombosis. Because of that, I have to correct you, because what you wrote isn't entirely accurate.
The fact is, Yasmin and Cerazette are not the same. Yasmin is a combined pill (containing two hormones: progestagen and estrogen), whereas Cerazette is what we call a mini-pill or a Progestagen-only-pill. This distinction is vital. My doctor specifically told me that I cannot take combined pills because of the estrogen.
I haven't spoken with my gynecologist about mini-pills yet, so I won't claim they are safe for me. If anyone here knows more, please let us know. 🙂

ironscout15 said:Well, you actually depressed me a little there. I’m really sorry that happened to you—and honestly, I know it could happen to me too. That’s exactly why I stopped taking Yasmin.
Since then, I’ve been deep-diving into different pill options, trying to find a solution—basically looking for contraception I can take without constantly worrying about blood clots. So, I do need to correct you slightly on one point here.
See, Yasmin and Cerazette aren't the same thing. Yasmin is a combined pill (it has two hormones—progestagen and estrogen), whereas Cerazette is what they call a mini-pill or a Progestagen-only-pill. That distinction is huge because it's specifically the estrogen that means I can't touch combined pills—at least, that's exactly what my doctor told me.
I haven't actually sat down with my OB-GYN to discuss mini-pills yet, so I won't claim I can definitely take them. If anyone knows more, please let us know. 🙂

Look, I get that Yasmin is a combination; I just got mixed up for a second. But seriously, no sane doctor is going to recommend any kind of hormone to you given that family history. You don't even know if you have some specific genetic mutation that puts you at risk for thrombosis—nobody is just going to run those tests on a whim. Obviously.

Go find a second—or third—opinion. Not every OB-GYN is properly trained; some of them honestly have zero clue about coagulation or the factors that trigger it. I'm just telling you what three different doctors told me (my regular OB-GYN, the surgeon who operated on me, and the surgeon who scheduled my appointment)—not to mention various internists and hematologists. They all said the same thing: no hormone therapy, ever again. Period.

Thrombosis is a massive, exhausting ordeal that requires at least a year of treatment. Dealing with condoms or extra prep work is nothing compared to the absolute nightmare that a blood clot can be.

Good luck finding the right birth control!🙂

swiftbison25 said:I’m honestly so over condoms at this point. I can't deal with them constantly, but I know my partner is going to be thrilled about the alternative. 🙄 So, what do you guys think about just being "careful" during fertile days versus actually using a condom?

It’s more reliable than nothing, for sure. But you have to realize—there’s no such thing as a perfect method that's 100% foolproof.☕

Sam Castillo7 said:I know Yasmin is a combination pill, I just got confused. Regardless, no decent doctor is going to recommend any kind of hormone given that family history. You don't even know if you have certain genetic mutations that make you prone to thrombosis. No one is going to run those tests unless they have to. Obviously.

Get a second or third opinion. Not all gynecologists are properly trained; some have zero clue about coagulation or the factors that trigger it. I’m just telling you what three different doctors told me—my regular OBGYN, the surgeon who operated on me, and the specialist who scheduled my appointment. They didn't even bother mentioning internists or hematologists. They were blunt: no hormonal options, ever again. Period.

Thrombosis is a massive, grueling illness that requires at least a year of treatment. Dealing with condoms or extra precautions is nothing compared to the risks of a blood clot.

Good luck finding the right contraception!🙂

That is exactly the point... the first doctor I asked said it wasn't an option. But the other three I consulted say I can take the pill.😕

ironscout15 said:That’s exactly the point... the first doctor I asked said it was a no-go, but the other three I consulted all told me I could take the pills.😕

Look, you definitely need to consult a hematologist—which would be smart anyway, given your family history—and find yourself a serious gynecologist who actually understands blood disorders and genetic issues. And please, don't go to some small private practice or a walk-in clinic; go to a major hospital.

I once had a gynecologist at some high-end boutique clinic prescribe hormones that I would have swallowed in a heartbeat just to get my cysts to burst—this was only two months after my thrombosis, so the clot was still very much a thing in my system—all while claiming "it's not even estrogen, so you're fine."🙄 Then she calls a colleague to double-check, and he confirms the prescription. It made zero sense to me, so I called my own doctor, who told me absolutely NOT to touch them—though, to be fair, she didn't really have a plan for the cysts either, just "let's wait for your period and see what happens." Since I wasn't a fan of their uncertainty or lack of a strategy, I went to the hospital, hit up the OBGYN department, and talked to people who deal with this kind of stuff every single day.😉 And they sorted it out—very successfully.🙂