Why do GPs make coil removals so difficult?!

[LouCress]

Hi, I'll start by saying that I am not sure if I am doing this right as I am completely new to mumsnet having only created my account today, I'll give this a shot though and hope for the best, here it goes...

So me and my husband have 2 children a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter back in 2016 when they were only 3 and 1 I decided to have the mirena coil fitted (in July) as I'm not the best at remembering to take the pill and we wanted a solid contraception.
The first few years were great, no extreme side effects and no periods at all (bonus!), However I have since had a heap full of problems (all started last year), ovarian cysts that burst, constant pregnancy symptoms, constant cramping, bleeding and feeling generally unwell (nausea, dizzy, etc) just to name a few.
Due to all these new and continuous problems I started to think that I'd be much better off without it but last year I still wanted to have a strong contraception however fast forward to now and my and my husband are actually quite open to start trying for our third and final child (with our son and daughter being at school and turning 7 and 5 this year), it feels like the right time.
So now to the proper point..
Last week I rang my GP surgery and asked to book an appointment to have my coil removed, they couldn't fit me in last week so booked me in for today. I went to the GP surgery this morning at 9.20 for my appointment and wow didn't I leave disappointed, disheartened and slightly angry..
I sat down with the doctor and she asked me a series of questions..
Firstly, why do you want the coil removed? I explained the problems I'd had with it and was going to explain how we are now open to trying for another baby however I was cut off too fast...
Have you been sexually active within the last week? Well yes I had, which displeased her straight away as they recommend to not be sexually active for 7 days before removal.
Have I thought about what contraception I will use now? No I haven't, me and my husband are open to having another child... again she was displeased.. "Well we won't be removing the coil today, I think you should take the pill for a week, then come back in 2 weeks time (27th) to have your coil removed so we know you are protected" .... sorry what!? I was made to feel so awkward, had a pill prescription completely pushed onto me, made to feel like I was wrong for being open to getting pregnant and not having contraception!? Honestly couldn't believe it.. I just felt so completely rubbish I didn't even have it in me to stand up for myself and what I wanted for my body! I just find it shocking how you can be made to feel that way.. at the end of the day it's your choice, your life and it shouldn't matter to them why you want it removed / whether you want to stay of contraception.
I'm sorry if I've blabbed on far too much / not made that much sense.
I needed the rant, I just feel annoyed by it still, the other hard thing is mentally preparing yourself for it to then have to re-prepare all over again in a couple weeks!

What I'd like to ask has anyone else had a similar issue with getting the coil removed?

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads/responds!

[GlamGiraffe]

I just went to the local sexual health clinic (orcwhatever it's called nowadays) walked in and waited, they have appointments too, and a nice kadyxwhipped ot straight out. I've had them for years and never had any of this fuss. Perhaps your gp is just strongly following the rules without applying thought and logic.
I do know quite a lot of people who grab the threads and pull them out themselves. .its not hard...if you're brave..not a recommendation, just something I know a lot of people successfully do without problems!

[Bananarama12]

As OP said better to go to your sexual health clinic. Quicker and easier.

[LouCress]

GlamGiraffe, thank you for your response, I'm glad you had such a straight forward experience with your removal.. I actually called up my local sexual health clinic / family planning centre after I left the GP as I was desperate to find someone who would just do it for me and they told me they wouldn't be able to see me until april! Unsure if it would be a different story if I just turned up and tried my luck.. maybe worth a shot. Ha, I did contemplate the idea of pulling it out myself, that's how much I want the thing out but doubt I'd have the guts. Just wish it had all gone to plan today, very frustrating.

[LouCress]

Banarama12, I tried to contact sexual health clinic / family planning (not actually sure which one the centre actually falls under) and whether there may be another walk in centre I could try locally but as I stated above the one I contacted today had no apps until april. Thank you for your response!

[Nojeansplease]

God id complain and ask for a different gp
And a new apt asap
What a waste of your time

Fair enough she needs to give you the information, that makes sense, but then it’s up to you to make an informed choice!

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

Ring the surgery back and assert yourself! I had similar problems getting both the implant and the coil removed.

The GP sounds idiotic at best. You want a baby. Also, your body, your choice. If you want it out, that's what should happen. You have bodily autonomy!

I wouldn't be taking no for an answer. Speak to the practice manager and complain at your treatment, please. If only to stop the GP thinking they have power to decide what to do with your body, after you have made an informed choice!

[LouCress]

Nojeansplease,
Do you know what that's a really good idea actually, I think I will do that actually as I have been left feeling so unhappy after that apt and 100% felt my time had been wasted!
Exactly, once they have given you the information the decision should be made by you.
Thanks so much for your response!

[LouCress]

ThisMustBeMyDream,
Sorry to hear you have had similar struggles with the removal of your implant/coil.
So right, I'm still baffled by the whole encounter and the fact that I wasn't "allowed" to have my coil removed from my body when I wanted to!
I will call up tomorrow and complain about my treatment as I am so unbelievably unhappy with it. Just isn't right in the slightest and it's so reassuring knowing others can see how bizarre the situation was! Thank you for your response!

[ChickLitLover]

I’ve not experienced this myself but have heard a few very similar stories. It’s wrong, it should be completely your choice.

I did have a lot of pressure put on me to have a coil fitted a few years ago. I’d gone to see my GP with period issues, she just kept insisting that I should have the coil fitted. She went on and on, by the end of the consultation she had booked me in for it to be done the following week. I don’t usually have a problem saying no but she just wouldn’t take no for an answer. Anyway, I cancelled the appointment the next day. The next time I seen her, she asked why I hadn’t had it done and was really off with me.

[PawPawNoodle]

I went to a sex clinic and had mine removed there and then. The practitioner asked me about contraception and I assured him I wouldn't need it, he helpfully mused that I might go out that night and have a one night stand so I should take some condoms just in case 🤷‍♀️

[Junobug]

Again, I went to the family planning clinic to have mine removed both times as I wanted to have another baby. I went in as a walk in patient, they did an assessment and one time took it out there and then, the other booked me in for an appointment a few days later. Both times I was just told to wait a month before trying to conceive.
I did have a similar experience to you when I asked for the implant out when I was early 20s. It gave me awful acne and I was made to feel like that wasn't a valid reason and I was wasting the doctors time.

[Pixxie7]

Hi I removed coils for years, if you have mirena coil her arguments were completely unfounded it sounds like she couldn’t be bothered.

[LouCress]

ChickLitLover, PolPotNoodle, Junobug, Pixxie7 thank you all for you replies to my thread!
I may attempt just walking in to the sexual health / family planning clinic and seeing what happens.. (just put off by the fact they said it couldn't be done until april) but first things first today I will be complaining to the appropriate person about the shocking treatment yesterday!

[UsernameTaken76]

I asked to have the mirena removed last year as I want to TTC. The GP couldn’t help so said speak to speak to family health saw them in December. Nurse and Doctor tried to remove but confirmed they couldn’t it needs to be done under GA. it was put in this way but I was told removal wouldn’t be as much of an issue. Went back to the GP he referred me back to Gynae. The appointment is the end of this month. For something so simple it seems to take a lot of time to get sorted.

[LouCress]

UsernameTaken76,
I'm sorry to hear about the long process it has taken for you to get your coil removed and I really hope it all goes smoothly at the end of the month for you! It really shouldn't be such a long winded process, like you said it's such a simple thing!

Small update:
I have 0 options for someone else to remove my coil!! I rang the only other clinic I know of in my town (perks of living in such a small place!) And unfortunately they don't deal with coil removals, so just got to wait it out and go back the the GP! Will ring the GP soon and make my complaint.

[welliesarefuntowear]

I'm really cross on your behalf. This is totally unnecessary. No way does a coil removal need a GA. I went to have mine removed and replaced, but the only reason it wasn't done by the nurse is that she couldn't find the threads so I had to have a gynaecologist do it. She managed to remove it easily using ultrasound. The practice nurses where I work can remove coils but not replace them. We book these appointments all the time for women tttc. Sorry this has happened. I don't think you've been treated very well.

[Heartofglass12345]

My friend was very similar to you last year, she was miserable and she was convinced it was her coil. The GP said they would only remove it as a last resort! They even suggested she might be depressed and needed antidepressants!! She had it taken out at the family planning clinic and her symptoms went practically straight away! Around here they have walk in clinics on certain days where you can go in and just wait to be seen.

[MinkowskisButterfly]

I've heard so many stories of people not being able to have implants and coils removed. This is so wrong, it is your body, your choice what happens to it. I will not have something that I cant remove if needed. Hope you get sorted soon.

[CruCru]

I’m sorry to hear about this.

Someone upthread mentioned people pulling them out themselves by tugging on the threads. Please don’t do this.

[ActualHornist]

Mine was fine.

• why do you want it out? Never stop bleeding and don’t need it now husband has had vasectomy
  
• ok
  

Removed and out the appointment in about ten minutes.

Sorry you’re having this issue. Personally I would lie about the contraception and sex. They’re forcing you to be deviant.

[LouCress]

Heartofglass12345, Minkowskisbutterfly, CruCru and Actual hornist thank you so much for your responses!
I'm so glad to hear the stories about people who have successfully had them removed without any issues! That's the way it shohld be and completed what I expected from my apt yesterday! From all the responses it seems that the family planning clinics have been the best places for removals just a shame I apparently can't make an apt until april (as I've stated previously) I think after reading into it the walk in service runs every thursday so I may try my luck next thursday and see whether someone can get it out for me, if not will wait it out until the 27th.
For those who have had the same problems/know people who have sorry, it's ridiculous.. shouldn't be made so difficult for some. I'm still angry from the situation and can't believe the treatment and not being allowed to do what I want with my body.
The replies on this thread have been really helpful and I'll be taking on board some of the tips and advice and experiences given! & no don't worry i shan't be pulling my coil out myself! No matter how desperate!
Thanks again everyone!

[LouCress]

Just rang up about making my complaint! Manager is on a break until 3, so been told to ring back at 3.30 and then I'll be put through to her

[cologne4711]

I really feel for you OP. I had some polyps removed about eight years ago and the consultant offered me a coil at the time, seemed rather surprised I said no, but didn't push it. Having heard this and another coil story on MN this week alone, I'm very glad I didn't!

[LouCress]

Cologne4711, thank you.
They seem to offer it continuously these days and as some have mentioned above they have almost been pressured into having it done! Well done you for turning it down, honestly it's a blessing that you didn't... No one explains all the issues that can come with it and you definitely don't get told that removal can be so difficult / you'll be made to feel so terrible for wanting it out! I will never have one again and I will never recommend it to any one!

[jackparlabane]

Was the GP you saw actually trained to remove a coil? My first guess would be a cock-up - the GP might be trained to insert but not to remove coils.

In London there's a huge shortage of docs who can do coil insertions or removals - my GP has none any more, and it takes on average 4 months to log on at precisely noon on the right day of the week to get an appt with the sexual health clinic.

I did my bit by happily letting a new doc be trained on how to get a coil in and out - I'll do anything for a nice lie-down! :)