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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to want to "beg" a doctor for my choice of contraception?

46 replies

WelshMaenad · 02/08/2012 20:43

went to the FPC tonight - so glam. We've been using condoms since smallest dc was born and I'm fed up with them. Did my research before I went to have done idea of the best option for me. Have had a copper coil before, which was alright, but made me bleED like a stuck pig. Can't take the combined pill got medical reasons. Don't want POP, I'm too scatty to remember to take it. Didn't really want depo because I'm fat enough already. Not really wanting my arm sliced up.

So, I thought the nuvaring or mirena would be good, so I asked. Was told they can't prescribe the nuvaring, only my doctor can. Doctors receptionist sent me to FPC, so that all seems like a massive waste of tine. Asked about mirena. Was told they font really give it any more, and I can have a copper coil instead. Explained haemorrhaging issues. Was told I could be swabbed for coil insertion, and would have to come back during my period, see the doctor and "plead my case" for the mirena, but as they're do expensive she might refuse me one and insist on putting in s copper one instead.

Wtf? If it's the best choice for me, why do I have to put my case forward like I'm facing a parole board? Why should I be fobbed off with a method that doesn't suit me? Am I being a princess to be a bit narked here? I just want to be able to shag my husband without fucking around with rubbers, fgs

OP posts:
catgirl2012 · 02/08/2012 20:45

YANBU. Go elsewhere. I would be narked too.

catgirl2012 · 02/08/2012 20:45

PS - Do not have depo unless you would like to go from svelte to "last days of Elvis" within a month, like I did

iklboo · 02/08/2012 20:47

Just a quick reassurance that the implant doesn't 'slice your arm up' - it's a tiny nick. But no. YANBU. You should be able to have a say / choice.

olimpia · 02/08/2012 20:48

YANBU
Outrageous when you tell your doctor you want something and they agree it's a good choice but refuse for costs alone. Wtaf?

RancerDoo · 02/08/2012 20:48

Why have hey stopped doing Mirena? I ask because if it there is a problem with it, there might be a good reason not to choose it.

ILiveInAPineapple · 02/08/2012 20:49

Just make an appt with your GP' don't tell the receptionist why, and discuss it with them. They get a fee for providing contraceptive services so they won't turn you away!

thekingfisher · 02/08/2012 20:50

I have just had a mirena so they haven't stopped doing it in fact basically told me I had to have it to sort out my hideous periods!

olimpia · 02/08/2012 20:50

I'm worried I might have to fight to to get Yasmin because it's the most expensive combined pill so I'm putting off going to see my GP about it for fear of becoming enraged

DartsIsFun · 02/08/2012 20:51

Mirena coils are the coil of choice in our area, I had to talk a lot to get a copper coil instead. I am surprised, actually, that your dr seems to be not wanting to give you a Mirena.

But, yes, a lot of people do report side effects.

PickleSarnie · 02/08/2012 20:51

Blimey, I think my doctors are on commission for the Mirena. They try to flog it every time. The nuvaring is brilliant but I think it's a bit of a postcode lottery. I had it whilst in the US. Every other hormonal contraception has worked by turning me into such a psycho that no one would ever get close enough to sleep with me but the nuvaring has such a low dose that I remained vaguely normal. Worth fighting doctors for!

CouthyMow · 02/08/2012 20:52

I had all those issues, and more besides, not only did all forms of hormonal contraception make me fat, and weepy like I was pregnant, they all without fail made me throw up like morning sickness, but I fell pregnant on them all anyway!

I have just been accepted for a sterilisation, and after 4 DC's, I'm overjoyed.

Best thing for me.

Though, I have to ask, what is this nuvoring or whatever it's called? Never heard of it?

CMOTDibbler · 02/08/2012 20:52

You shouldn't have to plead your case. I'm on my third Mirena, and the Drs were very happy to provide it. They only asked that you intend to keep it in for at least 2 years as it is pricier if someone is just spacing children

Musomathsci · 02/08/2012 20:52

"They" haven't stopped doing Mirena, it's still going strong, but you have clearly run into cost issues here - copper coils are cheap as chips in comparison to Mirena. Outrageous waste of your time and a load of bollocks IMO. Who knows what the FP doc would actually have said - you spoke to the monkey, not the organ-grinder..

Original poster
WelshMaenad · 02/08/2012 20:54

'they' as in the FPC within my Trust, have stopped offering it as it costs so much. Apparently. No known issues with it, panic not. I'm a bit buggered because my dr sends all contraception requests to the FPC and doesn't do coils etc, so I don't know where else to go.

If I was saying I wanted it for a year between babies, fair enough, but we don't want any more so it will sit there for five years and probably be far cheaper than 5 years of the pill!

OP posts:
CouthyMow · 02/08/2012 20:54

Iklboo - have you had an implant REMOVED as well as put in? It might be just like an injection to put in, but as they can often move around inside your arm (or even travel like mine did), they are a LOT harder to remove than they are to put in. I have quite a large scar from having mine removed...

iklboo · 02/08/2012 20:58

Yes Couthy, I'm on my 3rd implant. I think I may have been lucky.

PeshwariNaan · 02/08/2012 20:58

Check with your doctor again - I'd call - about the Nuvaring. It's very non invasive, easy to use and low side effects. I was on it for about 7 years (it's been available for a long time in the USA). I loved it.

It's expensive in the USA even with insurance - I paid $120 for three months' supply - so if I could get it free here I'd jump at the chance. It's brilliant.

Original poster
WelshMaenad · 02/08/2012 20:59

Couthy that happened to my SIL hence my reservations about implants! They weren't keen on that either though, they insist on giving you the depo first to 'test' you on the hormones as they've had so many requests for removal after 4-6 weeks.

OP posts:
iklboo · 02/08/2012 21:00

Or DH could have the snip Grin

purplepansy · 02/08/2012 21:01

Eh? This sounds like they are talking bollocks to me - my GP strongly recommended a Mirena as the best method of contraception - more effective than a copper coil. I don't want one though! I'd ignore whatever the FPC says and just go and see your own GP about it (assuming they do mirena fitting).
I've had an implant - didn't get on with it, but I have a virtually invisible scar from having it removed - much less noticeable than BCG.

PeshwariNaan · 02/08/2012 21:02

p.s. for anybody who hasn't heard of it, the Nuvaring is a flexible plastic ring with 3 weeks' worth of BC hormones. You insert it in your vagina and leave it for 3 weeks, then remove for a period.

purplepansy · 02/08/2012 21:02

Sorry - just read the post where you said your GP doesn't do contraception stuff. Just go and see the FP doc and stand your ground. Postcode blimmin lottery!!

2rebecca · 02/08/2012 21:06

You can't get yasmin here in Scotland (it's overhyped anyway) but Mirenas are usually no problem. Just stand your ground and threaten to write a letter of complaint if they say no. Mirenas get alot of bashing her but with lighter periods and fewer infections than copper coils I think they are superior.

ILiveInAPineapple · 02/08/2012 21:06

Can you not tell them about your awful haemorrhaging periods etc and see if they will give it to you that way?

Socknickingpixie · 02/08/2012 21:06

seriously???? there are gp's who wont do contraception. thats mad