To think it's useless going to the GP about women's problems

It is shit. Even if you do manage to convince them to refer you to see a gynaecologist you’ll be waiting months and months, maybe a year (unless you have suspected cancer).

I had similar symptoms to you and researched myself cos I knew they’d be shit.

i decided to book in for a mirena coil. No consultation or anything. Just told them it was for contraception, and i have been a lot better on it. Moods definitely not as bad! And added bonus of much lighter period.

if this hadn’t worked though I’d have struggled!

I just want to pick up on the low iron issue you mentioned - please don’t let your GP just ignore that (I know, easier said than done). Especially as you’ve mentioned fatigue elsewhere.
mine was ‘low but within range’ for years and I felt awful . prescribed iron tablets but found them really hard on the stomach, had side effects (constipation). I eventually went private earlier this year and got an iron infusion. I can now run up the stairs without feeling like I’m dying - it’s night and day.

My sister went to GP complaining of terrible stomach pains, doc told to go away as just IBS but is now in a hospice with weeks to live at 43 year old and 3 children. You need to fight to get treatment nowadays, it’s a joke

I used to have a go and when you mentioned anything’down there’ she prescribed canestan. Never looked!! Got a new one after that was like an encyclopaedia and changed my world for the short time I was with her(we moved). Go get another gp!!!

I'm just back from seeing the ANP and honestly, she was great. Really listened to me and booked me in for the relevant testing.

I'm so sorry that so many people struggle to get the help they need.

Could try a mirena coil which reduces periods. Ask for gp with obstetric qualifications /interest in women's health. The pill might also reduce heaviness. Copper coil not known to help you.

Recently had an NHS GP appt for peri-meno symptoms. Older male GP.

I know him to be brilliant - and he was this time. Told him I was starting to struggle with symptoms and wanted my options. Listens, ask questions, sympathetic. Gave a view of how HRT has changed over the years and current guidelines, asked what I knew and how it was good to educate myself as its not a one size fits all approach. Signposted to help. Prescribed, asked to come back in a month to let him know how I’m getting on and monitor.

Just saying there are good ones out there. Sorry to those struggling.

You need to say what you want. Antidepressants are a recognised treatment for PMS so the treatment isn't necessarily wrong. You however had a different idea of how you wanted to be managed which is fine but it's important to let the clinician know what you are thinking. Clearly the clinician also has to give you space to voice what you are thinking so maybe this particular doctor didn't do that.

Yes, I know, but* *my point was that you can't rely on breastfeeding as a reliable form of contraception. If you're happy to take the risk, great, but it shouldn't be a reason for a woman to be denied other forms of contraception if that's what they want.

Not for me it wasn't. Three children solely breastfed for 2+ years each. My periods directly followed my post partum bleeding every single time. Never a missed period.

I forgot that there are so many people on mumsnet who don’t read posts properly and/or just want to argue for the sake of it. For anyone who is actually interested in facts rather than anecdotal evidence, I will leave this link here regarding using breast feeding as a contraceptive:

https://gps.northcentrallondon.icb.nhs.uk/cdn/serve/service-downloads/1452133350-714bc1c08ba57268ab4d943054761038.pdf

My periods returned without warning before my babies were 2 months old, despite exclusively breastfeeding. Relying on it is FAR too risky.

l’m sick (no pun intended) to death of them all. They don’t seem to want to help anyone with anything any more. Several of them have had tantrums over something I casually said 😇 I’ve given up on them.

I believe I said this is true, TO A DEGREE

You are factually incorrect. Lactational amenorrhoea is just as effective as some forms of hormonal birth control if done correctly. However, just like other forms of birth control, if you do not adhere to the instructions correctly then it will fail. It doesn’t suit everyone and it is only temporary but it can and does work.
May I ask what kind of antenatal class you went to? I went to NCT classes and some of the incorrect information spouted by the person running it was criminal. Most of these people aren’t medical professionals, you shouldn’t rely on them for medical facts.

Oh I see, I got it the wrong way around! I'd still have cut out the GP to be honest, nurse practitioners can prescribe the pill. I never see my GP for a pill review. It might be quicker next time, or try a dedicated sexual health clinic?

I’ve found you have to do your own research and basically make your own decisions. I don’t remember the last time I saw a GP. It’s all nurses now. In your position, if you think it’s the coil, then I’d have just made an appointment to have it removed and researched my own pill options. I know that’s not how it’s meant to be but everything takes so long now, with multiple appointments, that it’s quicker to give up on getting advice and go straight for whatever you want.

Not just women’s problems IMO. The NHS is so much worse now.

I’ve had mostly poor experiences with various GPs. One prescribed me an antidepressant for leg pain. The next GP I saw was utterly disgusted by that and prescribed me the proper
medication, however I found out later I should have had iron tests and that has never been offered to me. My latest GP couldn’t even pronounce my medication and was laughing about not even attempting. I feel a GP should be able to pronounce medication that I, a layperson, has no problem with.

It is pot luck, but in this case I'd have just booked to have the coil put in (it does take a couple of appointments) and cut the GP out altogether.

Then I'd have gone back if the coil made no difference.

Can you go to a local sexual health clinic and just make a coil appointment?

This isn't a universal truth though - it may work for some women but it's absolutely no guarantee.

This is true, to a degree. If you are solely breast feeding then your body naturally stops ovulating, and this can be used as a form of birth control for the first 6 months post-delivery.