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Original poster

Why do GPs make coil removals so difficult?!

74 replies

LouCress · 14/02/2020 00:29

Hi, I'll start by saying that I am not sure if I am doing this right as I am completely new to mumsnet having only created my account today, I'll give this a shot though and hope for the best, here it goes...

So me and my husband have 2 children a 6 year old son and a 4 year old daughter back in 2016 when they were only 3 and 1 I decided to have the mirena coil fitted (in July) as I'm not the best at remembering to take the pill and we wanted a solid contraception.
The first few years were great, no extreme side effects and no periods at all (bonus!), However I have since had a heap full of problems (all started last year), ovarian cysts that burst, constant pregnancy symptoms, constant cramping, bleeding and feeling generally unwell (nausea, dizzy, etc) just to name a few.
Due to all these new and continuous problems I started to think that I'd be much better off without it but last year I still wanted to have a strong contraception however fast forward to now and my and my husband are actually quite open to start trying for our third and final child (with our son and daughter being at school and turning 7 and 5 this year), it feels like the right time.
So now to the proper point..
Last week I rang my GP surgery and asked to book an appointment to have my coil removed, they couldn't fit me in last week so booked me in for today. I went to the GP surgery this morning at 9.20 for my appointment and wow didn't I leave disappointed, disheartened and slightly angry..
I sat down with the doctor and she asked me a series of questions..
Firstly, why do you want the coil removed? I explained the problems I'd had with it and was going to explain how we are now open to trying for another baby however I was cut off too fast...
Have you been sexually active within the last week? Well yes I had, which displeased her straight away as they recommend to not be sexually active for 7 days before removal.
Have I thought about what contraception I will use now? No I haven't, me and my husband are open to having another child... again she was displeased.. "Well we won't be removing the coil today, I think you should take the pill for a week, then come back in 2 weeks time (27th) to have your coil removed so we know you are protected" .... sorry what!? I was made to feel so awkward, had a pill prescription completely pushed onto me, made to feel like I was wrong for being open to getting pregnant and not having contraception!? Honestly couldn't believe it.. I just felt so completely rubbish I didn't even have it in me to stand up for myself and what I wanted for my body! I just find it shocking how you can be made to feel that way.. at the end of the day it's your choice, your life and it shouldn't matter to them why you want it removed / whether you want to stay of contraception.
I'm sorry if I've blabbed on far too much / not made that much sense.
I needed the rant, I just feel annoyed by it still, the other hard thing is mentally preparing yourself for it to then have to re-prepare all over again in a couple weeks!

What I'd like to ask has anyone else had a similar issue with getting the coil removed?

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads/responds!

OP posts:
Stilllivinghere · 14/02/2020 14:25

I’ve worked at 3 GP surgeries, all of which have had a policy of confirming no chance of pregnancy before removal. Also, they are a long-term contraception method cost wise you don’t want to be taking them out and putting the in too often.

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 14:31

Jackparlabane, Yeah she was, it is only her and another female doctor at my surgery that can do coil insertions and removals but she seemed very keen to not have to do the removal! Oh wow, that's certainly a long wait! Understandable in such a big city if there is only a small amount of doctors who can do it. Well done you! Had it's bonus then ha!

Stilllivinghere, it's understandable bit if the person having the removal wants to get pregnant anyway I don't see how that them becomes a problem? It should be allowed on the day you expected it to be removed..
Again that's understandable but once mines out I'm not having mine back in, it's the first time I've had one and have nearly had it 4 years.

Thank you both for your responses

OP posts:
Tolleshunt · 14/02/2020 14:35

Please complain about the way you have been treated in the strongest terms. I would be asking why the GP felt she didn’t need to respect my autonomy.

It is your body, and you decide if you rescind your consent for the treatment or not. It is not for any GP to decide this is only as a ‘last resort’ that they determine. They also don’t get to decide you should keep it in so they get their money’s worth, ffs.

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Women's health
Geoffreythecat · 14/02/2020 14:37

Surely she refused to do it in case you were pregnant? A bit like if you go for a D and C and they check to make sure you have been protected and couldn't be pregnant. Otherwise there is a risk they would be undertaking a termination.

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 14:41

Tolleshunt, thank you for your resopnse! I shall definitely be complaining strongly, due to speak to the surgery manager at 3.30! My bodily autonomy has been completely disrespected! Very true words!

Geoffreythecat, that would make some sense if that was the reasoning however that was not the case as they are not concerned that I could possibly be pregnant. Thank you for your response

OP posts:
NYCDreaming · 14/02/2020 15:04

I found it hard to get mine removed too! I had it about four months and I just couldn't get on with it, horrible symptoms, but when I went to get it removed the doctor said "Well we don't like to take them out as soon as this" Hmm When I told them that if they didn't take it out I would do it myself they did it straight away. I hope it works out for you!

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 15:12

NYCdreaming, thank you for your response! So sorry to hear that you also had a bad experience with symtpoms / removal, glad the threat work! It's ridiculous that the GP said they don't like to take them out that soon! It's not about what they like to do it's about the individual and about what they want in / out of their body! Really baffles me! Thank you!

OP posts:
Qwerty543 · 14/02/2020 16:15

I keep getting the coil pushed onto me. Sick of saying I don't want it. DP went to get a referral for the snip and his GP asked if his partner had considered the coil!! Ffs are they on commission for these things?

I have the implant, which is causing me problems. I'll be demanding it out if the pill they've given me alongside doesn't sort it. Luckily the nice nurse I saw did suggest I have it removed if the pill doesn't help settle it. I'll make sure it's her I see.

ALongHardWinter · 14/02/2020 16:32

Im puzzled at the advice about abstaining from sex for 7 days before removal. I've had 3 Mirenas over the last 20 years and not once have I been told this prior to removal. What is the reasoning behind it?

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 17:30

Qwerty543, so many people complain about doctors trying to pressure them into getting coils fitted, it's honestly shocking how much they try and push it on to people! & even more ridiculous they'd even say that to your DP! What's to obssession!?
Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your implant and fingers crossed that the pills help you out, if not I hope you manage to see the nice nurse and get it taken out!

ALongHardWinter, The reasoning is to stop you from getting pregnant once the coil is removed! That's all the reasoning is but if you're somebody who wants to get pregnant I don't understand how this is an issue or how they can try and make that one valid reason to not remove!

OP posts:
Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 17:33

I'm unsure how to edit a post once you've posted it but just to let everyone know I spoke to the assistant manager at 4pm and put in my complaint, she herself seemed baffled by the GPs choice! They are going to investigate the situation and contact me next week once the surgery manager is back!

OP posts:
EffieIsATrinket · 14/02/2020 17:38

Is your coil out of date?

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 17:40

EiffelsATrinket, No my coil isn't out of date, I've had it for 4 years so not due out until next year. I just want it out

OP posts:
eyemask · 14/02/2020 17:48

Book another appointment for when you're 7 days sex free and when they ask why you want it removing you say that you will be trying for a baby. Actually I find it ridiculous that they ask why you want it out. Time and time again I see threads like this, no idea why they're so obsessed with women keeping them in against their wishes.

HorseFlyOfExtraordinaryLength · 14/02/2020 17:53

Not about a removal but when I wanted to get the coil it was such a palaver. Only two docs did it, both part time drs. Only did it one day a week. Had to happen at a particular point in menstrual cycle.
Because of all of the above appointments were booked up months in advance.
Well the chances of all of that coinciding were slim

HorseFlyOfExtraordinaryLength · 14/02/2020 17:54

God knows if I'll ever get mine out!

user1471448556 · 14/02/2020 18:06

There seems to be such an obsession with shoving synthetic hormones into women. I get that many people have no problems with the pill, implants and mirena coils but there is a clear link between synthetic hormones and depression and weight gain. I’d be happier to see them advocate non hormonal options - condoms, diaphragms, copper coil, or vasectomies ... but given that two of those options might inconvenience men, I won’t hold my breath.

Ughmaybenot · 14/02/2020 18:08

Oh that’s rubbish that they made it so difficult. As pp have said, maybe a sexual health clinic would be easier?
I had mine taken out on Monday and it was super straightforward. Called Friday for a Monday am appointment, I don’t think the doctor really asked any questions other than ‘why are you having it out?’ Which was asked while she was getting all the stuff ready so clearly not too concerned on the answe and that was that.

BarbedBloom · 14/02/2020 18:13

I had this with the implant. It made me ill so I asked for it out and she refused. Said I had to try it for another 6 months. I told her it was up to me what I had in my body. She said they wouldn't remove it and she was writing on my notes to say no one else there should agree either. I went to the receptionist and told her I was going home to cut it out myself and I meant it. It was removed.

Runkle · 14/02/2020 18:15

I just went to the sexual health clinic. Few questions but they were happy to remove. Much better use of other health services than GP.

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 18:17

Eyemask, the only reason they say not be sexually active is to prevent you getting pregnant straight away which is understandable for people still wanting contraception and not wanting to get pregnant however I want to get pregnant so this actually isn't a problem for me and should of no way made an issue for removal however I'll tell them next time I'm 7 days sex free if it pleases them so much and the only way they'll remove the thing! Yes I find it ridiculous too and it really shocked me yesterday as it's my body and my choice so It shouldn't matter in the slightest.

HorseFlyOfExtraordinaryLengths, I'm sorry to hear the time and hassle having your coil fitted took.. I really hope that it is a lot less of a wait when the time comes to have it out!

User1471448556, completely agree with all that you have stated! It's very true and so bloody ridiculous how they want to force it on so many!

Ughmaybenot, yeah it really does seem that the sexual health clinics are a lot more straight forward! I'm going to try my luck next thursday and go to the walk in clinic (only do it on thursdays) as when I called to try and book an apt with sexual health clinic they said I couldn't get one until April! So nice to hear what a successful and stress free experience you had with your coil removal! Wish my GP had been the same way with mine.

Thank you all for responses!!

OP posts:
Pidgythe2nd · 14/02/2020 18:17

I had a similar problem. I got the Mirena and DID NOT get on with it.
I had to log on to a system to book an appointment, but there were never any appointments! I called my gp, they wouldn’t do it, called the hospital and eventually got through where they said they were booking 5 weeks away.
I couldn’t wait that long (feeling depressed, horrible thoughts and not myself) so pulled it out myself. Blush
Surprisingly easy as they’d never trimmed the threads.
Felt better within a couple of days.
Probably not recommend, as I understand removal can cause some women to pass out, but I weighed up the risks and this was the best option for me!

Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 18:21

Barbedbloom, oh wow I am so terribly sorry that you had such an awful experience, that doctor was completely out of order I am shocked! & disgusting that it took you threating to remove it yourself for them to do it for you!

Runkle, so many positive comments about the sexual health clinic!

Thanks for you responses

OP posts:
Original poster
LouCress · 14/02/2020 18:24

Pidgythe2nd,
Sorry to hear you had such a horrible experience with the coil and it made you feel so awful in yourself & that it was so hard to book removal.
Wow you have some guts! I completely understand how being at your lowest can give you the adrenaline and drive to do that though, so glad the choice was a good one and caused you no complications!
Thanks for your response

OP posts:
Megan2018 · 14/02/2020 18:30

I’ve heard of this happening a lot-it is why to my GP’s horror I have refused to have any contraception from them. I want control.

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