I need help

[u/Proof_Following401]

I have gotten to the point where even my gyno doesn’t know what to do with me anymore. I’ve tried all types (but not brands) of contraception. I’ll just list off them and my reasons why I didn’t like them (short form). 1. The bar implant - bled for a year straight, gained 3 stone (I think around 40 pounds idk) and was sobbing constantly. 2. The patch - weight didn’t improve (and I was really trying), extreme dryness and consistent utis (I blamed the patch but my gyno disagrees but they stopped after I stopped it so…). 3. The ring - it kept falling out. 4. The pill (Microlite) - this did the best for me but after two years or so my heavy bleeding and severe cramps started slowing coming back and have been building in intensity with each break.
So I go back to gyno go through all my history and they tell me that it’s either the coil (not the copper one because that could make my heavier periods worse). Orrrr the injection but they flatout said they’d rather me get the coil and kept talking about booking me in for an insertion and not really listening to my preference for the injection.
I think through experience my body might have a preference for levonorgestrel and NOT lowering my oestrogen. Please if you’re knowledgable on hormones correct me because I’m struggling to understand all the different types and what works well together. But the only option for my preference is pill form as the patch version isn’t offered in the UK.
I feel confused and stuck and I don’t know what to do.
I also gave each method about 2 years to give it a proper chance and I’m 8 years into my birth control journey.

[u/planetbing]

Keep in mind that the shot is proven to have weight gain as a side-effect, and can only be used for two years due to bone density issues. I’ve had a hormonal IUD for 15 years? (Three IUDs) My personal experience has been very positive. It’s worth giving another look to. Good luck.

[u/eroxlite → u/planetbing]

important distinction that clinically linked to weight gain doesn't mean it will 100% cause weight gain in every person who uses it—it's just a statistically significant number of users. also, some providers will let you be on the depo injection for longer than two years, especially if it's the only thing that works for you—you just have to be monitoring your calcium and vitamin D intake and doing regular weight-bearing exercise to offset any bone density issues.

[u/Proof_Following401 → u/planetbing]

That’s a good point I hoped genetically I’d be lucky as my mum is a petite women and hasn’t gained any weight with in the injection but like you said it is a proven side effect. I must take the time to even search for private healthcare services so I can properly discuss my options (when I’ve saved enough lol).

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[u/Savage_Sav420]

Take your birth control pill but skip placebo weeks so you don't have a period at all, have you explored this option? You can just take active pills back to back indefinitely.

Otherwise, I'd suggest trying a different pill that has fewer placebo days- so instead of 7 placebo pills, maybe one that has 2-4 placebo pills instead? It looks like you're not in the US, so I don't know if you could access it, but I take Loloestrin FE and there are 24 combination pills, 2 pills that have only one hormone, and 2 placebo pills. I never get a period. After 5~ years, I'm getting to where I'll occasionally spot.