To feel like I'm being railroaded into an IUD?

[NotQuiteJustYet]

I'll begin by apologising if I've put this in wrong place - I couldn't find a contraception section.

I've been prescribed a medication by my endocrinology consultant to regulate my hormone levels which my GP was meant to give me the prescription for. The letter from the hospital states this can only be done once I'm on reliable contraception as this medication has a known effect of making women more fertile - fair enough, I'm fine with the need for sensible contraception.

I'm also on a medication which I absolutely cannot risk getting pregnant on as it has a known risk of birth defects. DH and I are well informed about this and happy to wait to have children anyways.

GP today has essentially refused to print prescriptions for this medication until I've been fitted with an IUD because he feels hormonal contraception would undo the work of the meds prescribed by the consultant.

DH and I have been using condoms for 5 years now with no mishaps but I understand why this is no longer sufficient. Am I going to have to suck it up and have the copper coil fitted?

Does anyone have any fitting stories where they didn't end up in agony?

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

I'd just say no... They can't fit it if you say no.

[RubbleBubble00]

I had one fitted pre children. It's was fine. Ask for numbing injection for cervix - made mine a doddle.

[expatinscotland]

I'd complain.

'I had one fitted pre children. It's was fine. Ask for numbing injection for cervix - made mine a doddle.'

She doesn't want one. And I have a numbing injection in my cervix, I found it hurt like a bastard.

[ToastMama]

I had the copper coil fitted approx 9 months ago. I then had heavy periods for the first 3/4 months, but they've since settled down. It was uncomfortable having it fitted, but more strange/unpleasant rather than painful. Best contraceptive I've ever had, and I'm happy it's hormone free (progesterone makes me ragey).

[CMOTDibbler]

I had a mirena fitted before I ever had been pregnant, and fitting was no problem at all

[ToastMama]

I should have added, I've had two children which apparently makes it easier to fit (roomier, presumeably... )

[curren]

What does 'reliable contraception' mean?

Perhaps condoms aren't included?

[FutureGadgetsLab]

I had a mirena before I had kids and it didn't hurt. I'd avoid the cervix injection, everyone I know who's had it says it's a bastard.

That aside, you shouldn't be forced into having an IUD. I find it bizarre doctors won't prescribe meds that can cause birth defects to women not on contraception, when the women know the risks, yet they claim to be pro choice and are happy to refer people to have abortions. It doesn't make sense and smacks of body policing.

[MadHattersWineParty]

Mine (mirena, not copper, just to be clear) was an absolute twatting bastard for the year I had it in. And I got railroaded as I couldn't be on the pill anymore and it was supposed to be wonderful and hassle free and amazing. She didn't offer any pain relief when she inserted it and I hadn't taken any as it was apparently going to be 'just like having a smear' my cervix went into shock as she clamped it and I promptly vomited from the pain.

There's no way of knowing if you're going to be one of the unlucky ones it causes problems for.

Anyway all of that is TOTALLY IRRELEVANT if you don't bloody want one.

[NotQuiteJustYet]

Their definitions of reliable are something with results comparable to that of surgical sterilisation or better - so realistically, implant, mirena or copper coil when it comes to failure rate. The other medication reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptive, include morning after.

The opinion of endo/GP is that I should avoid hormonal contraception altogether so that really only leaves me with the copper coil as far as I can tell.

[ifgrandmahadawilly]

YANBU. What are they going to do if you refuse consent for having a piece of metal jammed up your cervix? Are they seriously refusing to treat your medical condition? That's disgusting.

[expatinscotland]

How long do you have to take the medication for?

[greybead]

Barbaric GP - holding medication to ransom unless you agree to IUD.

Just say you won't have sex for a year so won't be needing the IUD and could he please prescribe the medication you need. Have you got an end-date for the medication that causes birth defects?

[Naoko]

That's madness. I can't take hormonal contraception (combined pill makes me suicidal, progesteron only is contra indicated in people with my underlying condition). When I was put on a medication that you should not get pregnant on due to risk of birth defects they just took my word for it that I do not want to be pregnant and am thus very careful with condoms. If they had refused to prescribe unless I got an IUD fitted I'd have fought that all the way.

[Naoko]

Or, y'know, tell them you've left your DP for a woman and so there's no pregnacy risk. I'd love to hear their response to that. :o

[ghostyslovesheep]

I was pushed and pushed into having one as well - I refused

I was offered the combined pill which I now take

Stand your ground

[sonlypuppyfat]

What a bully we used condoms for fifteen years without any problems

[NotQuiteJustYet]

So the medication that causes the birth defects is for chronic migraines, I'll be on it for the foreseeable future until it stops working or DH and I decide it's time to start a family. Then I'll have to be weaned off it because it's a medication primarily for epilepsy so just stopping it is dangerous - but honestly, it's a wonder drug for me when it comes to migraines. I've been on it for 5 months already and because I'm 'technically infertile' GP wasn't so bothered about the risks because DH and I are using a barrier method.

Now that endo need me to address the issue that's making me infertile, as well as causing a whole host of other issues, the migraines meds have become an issue. Endo want to put me on metformin which is well known for regulating cycles and helping women to get pregnant (which I don't want to currently) but because of the increased chance of pregnancies occuring plus birth defect, GP is freaking out and won't give me metformin without me being fitted with an IUD.

To complicate things further, there's a mild known drug interaction between the two which makes the effects of the metformin much stronger (but still safe to take) so GP has put his foot down.

If you're keeping up I commend you! I really don't like the idea of an IUD at all, it makes me feel very uncomfortable and I'm not at all comfortable with the procedure, but he's literally refusing to prescribe me what my consultant has told me I need.

[Toddzoid]

I always think condoms aren't viewed as being as reliable as other contraceptives purely because people either forget to use them or use them incorrectly (I.e pulling out without holding onto it so it falls off inside). If people can fit them over their heads without breaking I really doubt condom splits are a common mishap... Plus if it did split you can always opt for the MAP.

They cannot force a coil inside of you so simply just say no.

[shiveringhiccup]

YANBU. The GP doesn't have the right to force you into this. Can you see a different GP? If not can you just be clear you will not give consent for IUD. Explain you know the risks etc and are confident about condoms. Ime GPs can be very suspicious of condoms, doesn't mean you should be forced into IUD though.

[frieda909]

'Does anyone have any fitting stories where they didn't end up in agony?'

I've had mine for about a year. The fitting wasn't the nicest thing I've ever experienced, but it was over quickly and I've been happy with it ever since. If you can get it done at a family planning clinic rather than the GP then I'd highly recommend that. I had the local anaesthetic and it was a bit pinchy when they injected it, then the actual insertion felt like a few seconds of diarrhea-like stomach cramps. And that was it.

However, even when it goes smoothly like mine it's still not a trivial procedure and definitely not something you should be forced into having if you don't want it. So YANBU at all.

[SoggyBottoms]

I think this is outrageously patronising and I bet it wouldn't happen to a man.

Out of interest, would they insist on you having a coil put in if you were a nun?

[SoggyBottoms]

As an aside, I hated my copper coil, both having it put in and when it was in. Horribly painful periods...

[FutureGadgetsLab]

See another GP. I had a GP refuse to prescribe me something my consultant had said I needed because I was pregnant and the GP wouldn't take the risk despite the consultant saying it was safe. I ended up very unwell because of it.

[diddl]

"he feels hormonal contraception would undo the work of the meds prescribed by the consultant."

Is he correct in thinking that?

Even so I don't think that he should be withholding medication until you agree to ontraception of his choosing!