To ask if your GP tries to ‘persuade’ you to have the coil

Yes they’ve been doing for YEARS!

I find doctors massively patronising about contraception in general.

I do understand there are some very vulnerable patients who will struggle to make good decisions for themselves and I guess the doctors need to use their judgement.

But most of the women I know who complain about their doctors attitudes about it are not in that group.

Anyway, no way in a million years would I insert something into my body where I would be at the mercy of someone else to take out if it was a problem, not if there was any other choice at all.

My GP was constantly pushing Mirena (I had a copper coil) I constantly told her I didn't want hormonal contraception and she only listened when I reminded her I couldn't medically have anything hormonal

My preference wasn't respected at all

Suffering heavy periods for a few years. My ultrasound showed 2 small fibroids & a divided uterus. Now having a Hysteroscopy & Marine coil inserted shortly. Reading about this am concerned if the coil is the right option with a divided uterus.

This is an interesting thread - I had no idea others were in the same situation. Whoever I see at the GP surgery always tries to push the coil.

Round my way it seems to be the implant rather than the coil that they push, but they do seem to want everyone on something long-acting rather than the pill.

Blimey, this makes me pleased I don't live on the mainland! Here we pay around £40 for GP appointments (unless on welfare) and referrals to the hospital are free for everyone. And no Dr has ever pushed a Mirena on me, sterilisation is available free on referral (a friend had it done that way) but a small charge is payable for vasectomies (done at specified GPs under local - my DH being one of them) and you can get a same-day GP appointment any day of the week.

It's not quite in the spirit of the NHS, but frankly I'm not sure that's a bad thing from what I read on here!

The real world effectiveness for people taking the pill compared to something long term makes promotion of the pill as a contraceptive option an almost negligent act.

But if they explain that and you still don't want it then that's up to you and not them.

DD2 was offered the Mirena coil instead of the pill, she is happy with. Her partner, a junior doctor said “Not been enough testing yet!”

I was offered them for heavy periods (fibroids) - the first one disappeared, I think it probably came out the first period I had after having it put in. The second one did exactly the same thing - the Consultant was most perplexed! I didn't get offered another one!

I didn’t realise they got paid for each one ?

GPs get paid for each Mirena coil they fit at their surgeries.

Not a GP, but the nurse removing my copper coil asked whilst I was legs akimbo and speculum in, whether I was sure I wanted it removed and she could put a mirena in!!
This was after a 10 minute conversation of me explaining synthetic progesterone makes me depressed (to the point of needing to be medicated!) and we are looking to TTC this year anyway, so I didn’t want the mirena.
I had to laugh as it was completely the wrong point to ask.

A GP also said the mirena would sort out my heavy periods (due to copper coil) and when explaining that the progesterone is localised to the uterus, I sort of raised my eyebrows and she back tracked saying it is true people get acne so it can’t be completely localised.

I know it’s brilliant contraception for lots of people but just take no for an answer!

I hadn’t even been discharged from hospital after having my son when the doctor told me they could take me right away to get the coil fitted.

God, nurses and GPs always try to foist contraception on me.

Even when I explain that any hormonal contraception gives me depression and anxiety, they don't give a fuck. "Better that than an unwanted pregnancy" that's what my smear test nurse said to me.

My body. My decision. I will choose.

Yes, and so did the doctor I saw when I went to discuss my ablation and sterilisation. I told them to write that I didn't want the coil in capitals on the from of my notes - to be fair, she did!

I had to go back to my GP because the ablation did not work and it was the first bloody thing she asked me!

You've asked me 20 billion times now, why would I change my mind on being asked 2 billion and 1 times...? There was no way I was having that done.

SallySynonym writing it down sounds good, and I hope you succeed in getting what is right for you. X

@sallySynonym I have similar reasons for not wanting the coil - happily my GP thus far has accepted that and doesn’t raise it with me but if they did I know I’d simply say we’ve spoken about this before and my position is the same, are you refusing to prescribe the pill for me? I’ve spoken to the GP before about sexual trauma, so I don’t feel the need to explain again why I don’t want anything inserted inside of me, from here on in its “we’ve discussed this, move on please”.

I too am on cerazette and have found it life changing in terms of reducing heavy bleeding and pain, I won’t accept another change at this point.

Was basically told it would be the best solution for me when I went to see about bleeding when because of my gynae history I don't tend to have periods and am now 50.
Don't have good track record with artificial hormone treatments and had heard it was hit or miss but was assured it "worked for pretty much everyone in your position" rather than as contraceptive.
Horrendous pain getting it inserted.
Bleeding and pain everyday, tearful, exhausted and emotional - GP sent me to gynae emergency clinic and when there was a wee debate about the cause of the symptoms I was v firm I wanted it removed. Much less painful as it folds up and slips out! Pain and bleeding, mood swings, tears were worse for a couple of days due to hormone rebalancing, but within a week all the symptoms had stopped.
It definitely is their main and only recommendation and I don't think they take the possible abreactions seriously. Just "it isn't for everyone, some women have problems like you". And weeks of my life affected, work, relationships etc.
But I was lucky - quick referal and no one argued with me when I wanted it out.

Mine has suggested it a few times, last time he suggested it could also act as HRT as I am in my late 40s

Same here. I've had it suggested to me for heavy periods, as a replacement for the pill and for HRT.

I suspect they're targeted on it or given incentives. It's a shame because it means that the consultation almost takes on the feel of a sales pitch.

God, some of these accounts are just awful. Imagine having someone go on and on at you about the coil to the point where you get upset, and then being told you're upset because the pill causes mood swings and so you really should just get the coil. I knew this relentless pushing of the coil was a thing but I'm really shocked by the scale and intensity of the problem.

Primary health must be littered with examples of things that are objectively considered to be the best option in terms of both efficacy and cost-effectiveness (e.g. vaccinations) but I'm struggling to think of anything at all that is pursued with such obnoxiousness and lack of respect.

Thank you - it took a lot to write that post.

@MulticolourMophead, I don't really have anyone I can take to appointments. Nobody irl knows about my past history apart from DH and although he is utterly brilliant, he also has a tendency to believe and agree with HCPs whatever the circumstances as he wouldn't dare challenge an expert professional opinion. I worry that he would get so far in advocating for me but then be persuaded by them to just give it a try...

@scaryteacher - writing is down is such an obvious solution. Can't believe I haven't thought to do that. I'll definitely give that a try next time and see if it makes a difference.

That's awful Sally. If you can do it, could you take a letter with you describing why the coil isn't suitable for you, and give it to them to read right there and then? It saves you the stress of having to explain, and they can hopefully see why you want discussion of the coil shut down.

SallySynonym what about taking someone to appointments with you as an advocate? Is there someone who can intercede on your behalf?

Yep. Like a pp, I am finding it has damaged my trust in staff at my GP practice. I've had both a gynaecologist and counsellor write to my GP to explain that the pill has been prescribed for me and it is the most suitable method of managing my periods and contraception in my specific circumstances. They have detailed how my previous experience of sexual assault means I would not be able to tolerate the procedure of having the coil inserted, nor the feeling/knowledge of having something inside me. I've been assured a note will be made on my file but I am still harassed about this (and yes, it does feel like harassment) every time I see the GP. They are determined to get me off the pill and have the coil fitted instead. Unfortunately because of the issues I've referenced above, whenever they bring it up and won't drop the subject, I just can't bear talking about it end up getting really upset and I've had more than one doctor suggest that the pill is obviously causing mood swings so all the more reason to switch. They've now taken to only giving me a three-month pill supply at a time (it used to be 12 months), so that I can think about my options and come back and discuss it soon. It's awful and I feel myself going into fight or flight mode just in the waiting room, anticipating the conversation to come.

I know a lot of people have issues with the pill (I'm on cerazette) but for me it has been an absolute godsend. I suffered so badly with my periods that my moods would be erratic and I would go into full on angry meltdowns, throwing things, breaking things and hurting myself on a regular basis. I only had about 5 days in the month when I felt normal. The pain during the first 3-4 days of my period was utterly debilitating. The pill took all of that away and I know feel permanently like I used to on those 5 days only. I live in absolute fear of having to give that up and go back to how I was.