No appointments for emergency contraception, AIBU?

[Hamandcheesebaguette]

The condom fell off at the weekend. Ffs.

The MAP has failed for me twice. So I called the GUM clinic to find out if I could get the copper coil fitted for emergency contraception, as it is 99% effective. Obviously then I would leave it in and use it for long term contraception. The GUM clinic just told me to go and get the MAP as I didn't qualify for an emergency appointment and my GP don't cover contraceptive services anymore.

So now, if the MAP fails on me again, I will find myself in an incredibly difficult position.

AIBU to think that this is rubbish? I know the NHS is struggling and underfunded and I'm patiently waiting an estimated 43 weeks for a gynea referral for a large cyst on my ovary which is causing me no end of issues but this is an incredibly time sensitive matter.

Did you tell the GUM clinic that the MAP has already failed you twice?

Yes, the nurse just told me it should be 90% effective.

Sexual health services are incredibly constrained and realistically they probably just don’t have anywhere they can squeeze you in in the time you need to have it done, which is today. But most GUM clinics will have a walk in session. I would go to that. If not at the closest clinic, then drive to another that does. Obviously you need to get something sorted somehow as relying on the MAP when it’s failed twice before it’s the way to go, so even if you do take MAP (I would do both), you’ll want an appointment to discuss other options for something long term.

Try somewhere else like BPAS or go to your next nearest GUM clinic.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The only GUM clinic in my city only does drop in sessions for under 21s, which I am not. The next nearest one only operates on a Thursday and Friday, and even that one is a two hour drive.

Ahhhh the joys of the Highlands.

Does anyone know how much it costs to have it done privately?

You're NBU at all. If this does result in a pregnancy you're going to end up costing the NHS a lot more in either termination or antenatal care.

Map doesn't work if you have ovulated. If you work your dates out and you haven't ovulated you will most likely be ok. That may have been while it failed before.

I'm surprised they wouldn't give you the coil though as it's also sorting out your long term contraception.

Is that true? I thought one of the ways it works is by preventing implantation.

I don't mean to sound rude (I am honestly sorry if I do), but I think you really, really need to get on some kind of long term contraception anyway.

You say the MAP has already failed twice, and you now have to take it again, which means 3 times. This obviously isn't including any times you've taken it when it hasn't failed. If you're having issues with condoms to that extent, you can't be using them properly (or maybe the wrong size?)

Long term contraception is just brilliant if you're sure you don't want to be pregnant, as there's none of the stress of condoms (I always think they kill the mood a bit anyway to be honest).

The MAP isn't great for you, as it's such a huge influx of hormones. If you can book to get a copper coil fitted I would see that as a great idea. Meanwhile, do get the MAP. I'm not sure why it would fail you so regularly, but it is definitely better than nothing at this point.

Sorry, if you have ovulated within the time of sex and the map.

Sorry for the personal question but do you weigh more than 11 stone or have a bmi over 26? Levonelle/Ezinelle (most commonly given emergency contraceptive) is less effective if you are. EllaOne is not affected by weight in the same way I don't think so it might be worth going for that one but if you buy it I think its about £30 over the counter.

I was planning on calling for an appointment to have the copper coil fitted this week anyway. I have been putting it off because I am scared of the procedure being very painful.

Hormonal contraception makes me crazy, depressed, not care about anything or anybody so thats why we've been using condoms for the last 6 months.

And just to clarify, this will be the 3rd time I've used to the MAP but over a 15 year period. Once when I was 17 and once just a few months ago unfortunately so I do agree with the fact that condoms just aren't working for us.

Unfortunately, according to the app I use to track it looks like I ovulated on Thursday and the condom incident happened on Saturday so on very rocky ground

I do also weigh more than 11 stone so thats another hurdle to climb as well.

I just wish I could get the coil fitted today

Ring back the clinic and say you have ovulated so MAP won't work. Insist you see a dr today. I think you should turn up there today and insist on seeing a dr because you have ovulated. You will probably have to wait a while but it's better than the alternative. It will be harder for them to say no if you just turn up.

@Pandaintheporridge yes it is true. I had cause to take it recently, read up and found it works by preventing ovulation. I knew then that it wouldn't work for me, and it didn't I did not know about the coil until it was too late .

Yes, I would be tempted to go in person. And be pushy.

Obviously it's not ideal OP but I'd just drive elsewhere if you have a car- surely that is preferable to unwanted pregnancy. Even if the pill is not ideal, that can also be started as temporary measure until a date is set for the copper IUD. It's worth noting that IUD can cause cysts during its lifecycle though. For me the pill is the only thing that prevented them, it affects my mood but I can manage that but cant manage the cyst pain.

Call NHS 111 and see if they can advise as to a clinic. You'll just have to be assertive here I think OP, unfair as it is if not and call back the clinic and query why you do not qualify for emergency appointment when you clearly need one.

Separately if this is an issue for you I really would not be having sex until I was on the coil and I would use condoms still, no contraception is flawless and condoms on their own are not reliable, nor is the pill even with perfect use. If the condom is falling off perhaps it's the wrong size or not on properly. I would book an appointment with your GP asap to discuss a way forward. There are dozens of contraceptive pills now, for example, or the implant. You also need to get the ovarian cyst rescanned and dealt with if it is causing issues or severe pain,firmly request the referral is upgraded to urgent if it is affecting your life.