To be irked at being referred to as a 'larger lady' by my Docs Surgery?

[BadTasteFlump]

Or am I being touchy?

I take the mini-pill for medical reasons. I am 5ft 9, weigh 11 stone and wear size 12 clothes. My BMI is in the middle of the healthy range, and I don't worry at all about my weight.

But today I had a letter from my doctor stating that following a recent prescription for my pill, they think I may need to up my pill from one a day to two, because 'we find our larger ladies may not be fully protected with the standard dosage'.

So what quantifies a 'larger lady'? Me obviously! I am going to call the docs this afternoon when it opens again, but in the mean time needed to rant/vent.

And breathe....

Can't argue with 'lager lady' unfortunately - do you know me Worra?

I wouldn't panic too much Dr - I've been taking one a day for years and I've always been this 'large'...

I think they meant it literally. 5'9" is tall for a woman, well above average. And if you're a healthy weight for your height, then you probably are quite 'large' compared to the average non-overweight woman.

I don't think they're calling you fat! Though I can see how it could have been interpreted that way, possibly not the best choice of words...

That's the way I read it Ephiny.

Some brands of the mini pill don't work if you are over 11st, regardless if you are a fat 5'1" or a slim 5'10".

"our larger ladies"?

Jesus.

1. You are not 'theirs'

1. The larger thing is actually the least offensive part of that sentence. But still, you're not.

1. To refer to a woman in an official letter as a 'lady' is incredibly belittling and patronising. Do they refer to female GPs at the practice as 'our ladies'? I bloody hope not.

Oh crikey.

I have cerazette but it's about to run out and the only other one I could find was some local one (we are overseas!) which after googling seems to be the same ingred as micronor.

Why is being referred to as a "Lady" belittling?

Ooh.
I'm on mini pill and waaaay over 11st..... only take one.
Had not heard of this.

Thank you tethersend!

You have put my seething perfectly into words! I may read it out to the receptionist when I call them (or I would if I were brave enough!)...

Sorry, OP, just had to panic a bit there....I think YANBU, they could have put that so much better.

Dr Fish, failure rates for the mini pill are much higher if you weigh over 11 stone. Many doctors haven't got a clue about this. I asked my GP (after I found out I was pregnant) and he hadn't heard about it! Unbelievable! Google mini pill over eleven stones or mini pill overweight, and you'll see lots of info online.

I'm sometimes offered an appointment with 'one of our lady doctors', I don't think it's offensive .

Thanks lottie, and.....eek.

and like I said, I have a 2 month old daughter as a result of taking one Micronor mini pill a day and whilst we love her to bits, other people might not be happy about an unplanned pregnancy.

BTW Sorry if I'm causing panic amongst all the 'one mini pill a day' MNers out there.....

Mine is Femulen, if that helps....

It's just an extremely unprofessional letter tbh. But I'm not sure I would be happy taking 2 pills a day either. I've just had a bloody horrible weekend being assessed for the possibility of a clot on my lung. Every single doctor I saw asked if I'd been on the pill (am 32 weeks pregnant so my risk of a clot is elevated anyway). It's not a risk I'd ever taken seriously before but I'm now wondering if I'm too blase about certain side effects of medicines I take. I honestly don't know if I'll go back on the pill after this pregnancy or if I'll just have to suck it up and get the copper coil instead. Would 2 pills not mean twice the risk of side effects?

BTW Sorry if I'm causing panic amongst all the 'one mini pill a day' MNers out there.....

TBH this is probably what the internet is good at.

It's an excellent thread and might help a lot of women ask some questions at their GP's.

I'm defo going to the GP now.
Does anyone know if the implant has the same issue, as I've been considering swapping to that for quite a while anyway?

I got mine over the internet on one of those sites where you put in your details and a "doctor" gets back to you withint 24 hours with all the medicines you are allowed to order. Much easier for us as we are overseas and don't have access to GP's. I think I did have to put in my height and weight. Thought it was a great system until now....

Hmm....time for DH to visit the vet I think....

It also makes me wonder, in a population that's getting bigger anyway, why the dose of the pill isn't upped as standard? For anyone of an average height (what is that btw? AM 5'7 and consider that averageish) height 11 stone isn't really that heavy at all. Certainly within the healthy BMI range.

PeneloPeePitstop, don't be surprised if your doctor doesn't know about failure rates over 11 stone, mine didn't. Have a look online, and on the drug manufacturers websites.. go armed with info! The implant is far more effective than the mini pill, so that sounds like a good plan!

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height#Average_height_around_the_world Average female height in England]] (people aged 25-25 in 2008, so not little old ladies) apparently 5ft 4 1/2

I don't think all mini pills are less effective if you are over 11 stone. I used to take cerazette and the dr told me it was good as those over 11 stone ( me!) don't have to take 2 to make the dose effective like they would with other brands

female height in England (people aged 25-25 in 2008, so not little old ladies) apparently 5ft 4 1/2