Can’t get coil fitted- any one else think this is ridiculous?

[WhoNose21]

Currently on the pill but have been doing a lot of research into other methods of contraception and after a lot of thought have decided the mirena coil is the best for me.

I called my doctors but they don’t deal with contraception/fit coils there so they advised me to call my local sexual health clinic. Called them and they advised I would need a consultation first. No problem, asked to book me in... oh no we can’t book anyone in, we have changed our systems and can’t book appointments BUT you can come to our drop in sessions (which get very very busy so expect a wait) to see someone. So I agree I can do that then ask when I would then have the coil fitted to be told that after the consultation, they can’t actually fit the coil (even if I then attend another drop in session) and with the system overhaul they are ‘looking at the end of March for appointments to start but no guarantee’.

Does anyone else think this is ridiculous? I know nhs cutbacks are to blame and I can use alternative contraception but what about the poor girls who need a long lasting, effective contraception? Or people who can’t take the pill etc? Tried calling a neighbouring city but they can’t help as I’m not a resident. Just all seems so ridiculous!

The wait to get an implant or coil fitted at my GP surgery is a few months. Surely good contraception services save them more money in the long run?? A couple of appointments vs multiple pregnancy appointments/scans/childbirth/postnatal care and appointments

I've just had a 14 month wait for one (sort of)! Had appointment for a consultation booked for 1 months time (soonest I could get an apt) but ended up falling pregnant on condoms while I was waiting. After I'd had the baby I then booked an appointment online for the next available slot, day before I get a call to say they can't do it as it's not the right doctor and that the system has changed. I then had to wait again and once I was finally seen I then had to wait a further 3 or 4 weeks before the actual fitting due to Christmas and also being booked up. When it was finally fitted I was told that I'd need to come back for a check up at 6 weeks. I felt like saying, you make it sound so easy!

I've got the marina and four weeks in it's been fine so far.

Just to bring some perspective here, the issue with a lot of GP surgeries reducing or stopping coil insertion services is because we no longer receive funding for it! We just can’t afford to provide the service if it isn’t funded. It’s not a sign of a bad GP practice, it’s national NHS issues that have brought this about.

If you’d asking me in the 4 months of getting my coil fitted I’d have said it was the work of the devil but after settling in I love it and am a year into my second one.

Yes. Blame the cuts which mean that in many areas GPs would lose money (from their own pockets) for every coil fit that they do. We fit them well and efficiently but apparently are not allowed to be properly remunerated for this work.

@fruityb

'though learned later they give that coil to teens generally and not women of my age!'

who told you this? It's rubbish. I fit the Jaydess in women who don't want their periods to stop and therefore won't accept a Mirena. In my area that's largely 40+ women of a certain ethnicity where stopped periods are unacceptable. Yes, it's a bit smaller than a mirena so sometimes used in those who haven't had kids but in most women who haven't had kids you can still fit a mirena.

@chocspreadandpb

It's because GP's don't want to do them anymore

If someone asked you to do a procedure at work several times a week and told you that every time you do it £10 or so would be deduced from your payslip that month, would you be keen?

@ChesneyHawkes1

It was like this where I live. I went private and got an appointment the next day. £175 for the copper coil to be fitted.

and yet your GP gets around £120 to look after you for a year!!

I never go. Can never get an appointment in the village where I live.

Last two times I've needed medical help I've paid for it.

I was told that at the family planning - how it doesn’t stop periods. She said typically younger women get it rather than me who’s in the dark end of 30s 😊

I told the gp anything that would stop periods is a bonus. Not only did the jaydess not stop them, I bled so heavily every period that I went through at least two boxes of tampons and one box of pads and they could last two weeks!! Clots and blood. Vile times.

@dietcokemegafan I totally understand and agree with why GP's aren't doing them, never said I didn't. I was explaining why the wait in sexual health clinics are so long and it is the reason regardless.