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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think that the doctor should have done a pregnancy test?

29 replies

onebridenobump · 06/02/2013 12:52

Hi, I posted this in Family planning but I'm getting more and more annoyed about it so hope you can help.

I decided to come off my contraceptive pill at the end of July/beginning of August and went back to having normal periods almost straight after. Relatively regular etc.

My last period was on the 20th November and was as far as I can remember normal.

Nothing since!! I've POAS 4 times in the last 2 months and each time it has come up not pregnant.

Any way, I went to see my GP and he couldn't have been less interested in what I was saying. He made me feel stupid that I had even come to see him and told me to come back if I still haven't had one in 6 months. He also told me that he didn't know why I was bothered unless I was trying to start a family.

He then started to question my reasons for coming off the pill (fair enough) and then said "and I suppose you've not been using any other form of protection, you do know what we call "safe sex" is don't you"

So 3 questions

AIBU to think that the doctor should have done another pregancy test/blood test to be sure that the 4 negatives that I have had is correct?

AIBU to complain to my GP's practice that I was made to feel stupid and accused of having unsafe sex in such a rude manner?

Thirdly, should I be worried about still no period or is it normal?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

MogTheForgetfulCat · 06/02/2013 12:57

I don't see why he should have done a pg test unless you're concerned that the ones you used were duff, or something. The ones you can get in shops are pretty accurate and sensitive, aren't they?

A blood test - dunno, I suppose if there was something specific that might be causing this that could be tested for?

He definitely shouldn't have been bloody patronising about safe sex, but I would have just said "I know perfectly well what safe sex is, there's no need to be bloody patronising" .

I think no period since November and no +ve test is a legitimate trip to the GP, although don't know if it's be something to worry about. Hopefully not

dreamingbohemian · 06/02/2013 13:02

I think YANBU. While probably and hopefully nothing is wrong, that's 11 weeks without a period, which seems a bit long if before that you had months of regular periods. I think at least the doctor should have explained the possible causes and asked whether you had any other symptoms (it can be an indication of thyroid problems for example).

It's probably nothing but I think doctors should be professional whether they think it's nothing or not.

Patchouli · 06/02/2013 13:06

I don't see that he needs you to do a pregnancy test if you've already done it
And 'come back if your periods still haven't returned in 6 months' sounds sensible enough.
But to say he doesn't know why you're bothered is rude. You're obviously concerned enough to make the appointment - DRs shouldn't be belittling patients concerns.

CailinDana · 06/02/2013 13:11

I would put in a complaint about his manner, which was rude and dismissive. But there's no point in him doing a pregnancy test, the ones they have in doctor's surgeries are a cheaper version of what you get in Boots so it won't be any different. Some surgeries don't even stock pregnancy tests, there's no point, they just send you to the pharmacy for one if you need it. Equally a blood test isn't really necessary without something specific to look for, and as pregnancy is ruled out, there wouldn't be any need for other tests until another few months have passed.

I've had irregular periods since I started mine (sometimes 3-4 months between them) and I was told nothing would be done until I had fertility problems or other symptoms (such as endometriosis). Seeing as that never happened I was never tested for anything - they seem to take the view that irregular periods are nothing much to worry about unless you're having trouble conceiving or are in pain.

Flisspaps · 06/02/2013 13:11

The pg tests done by drs are no better than a home kit, so no need to do one there too.

Some adults don't know what safe sex is either. Sad, but true.

Original poster

onebridenobump · 06/02/2013 13:18

Thanks a lot for all your replies, good to know that the tests are as good as the ones I got from Boots. Would have been nice for him to be a bit more reassuring about it in the first place but now I know and thats all I wanted.

Regarding his manner I think I will just pass on a comment to the surgery that I didn't feel it was necessary to be so dismissive when I was clearly anxious about the whole thing.

Feel a lot better knowing what I'm facing here. Lets hope it all sorts it's self out in the next couple of months.

Thanks all!

OP posts:

EasilyBored · 06/02/2013 13:18

I find it odd that he didn't want to do a blood test to look at hormone levels? I went to my GP for almost exactly the same thing (months with no period and not pregnant) and they did blood tests and sent me off for an ultrasound to check everything looked OK.

If you are concerned, could you talk to the practice manager and perhaps see another GP there? I think you are right to complain about his manner. I know GPs are busy, but that's no excuse for being rude.

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 06/02/2013 13:26

Not wanting to panic you but I never had any positive tests with my first pregnancy. I needed an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy.

My hormones were so low as to be undetectable by the test but somehow dd attached and grew anyway. I'd push for further investigation if I were you.... Have you had any symptoms?

Original poster

onebridenobump · 06/02/2013 14:26

No symptoms at all I wouldn't say no.

Did you have symptoms even though tests were negative?

I dont 'feel' pregnant if that makes sense and DP and I have always been safe so I don't see how I could be pregnant. I was just hoping the doctor would rule that out from the off and I could concentrate on whether it was something else or whether it would sort itself out on its own.

OP posts:

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 06/02/2013 16:10

Yes, I did. Hence why I was given an ultrasound even though urine and blood tests were negative and doctors couldn't feel anything in my womb. I was very nauseous, vomiting, sense of smell gone mad and boobs getting bigger. They assumed I'd had a missed miscarriage. Dd was fine though, no idea what was causing the symptoms considering I had no hormones in my system!

It is possible to have asymptomatic pregnancy though.

Fairylea · 06/02/2013 16:31

I'd get your prolactin levels checked.

When I had very irregular periods etc the doctor found my prolactin level was high (and I wasn't breastfeeding and never have done, which normally causes it to rise). You can take medication to bring the levels down again.

Fakebook · 06/02/2013 16:39

I've had 6 pregnancies and not once has a doctor given me a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy. I could go in today and say I'm pregnant and they'd believe me and book me for a 12 week scan.

So I think YABU. But it can take months for periods to return to normal after stopping the pill so I'd wait. Agnus cactus helped regulate my periods in the past.

Teapot13 · 06/02/2013 16:54

But Fakebook, that's not what happened to OP. She didn't tell the doctor she was pregnant. She asked why she hasn't had periods for 11 weeks. She needs to rule out pregnancy and see if there is something wrong.

OP, I guess the doctor thinks your body is still adjusting? That seems odd to me after several months of normal periods, but I'm no expert.

FoxSake · 06/02/2013 16:56

If you've been having unprotected sex and no period I would have expected him to do a blood pregnancy test, the urine ones aren't always accurate.

Skinnywhippet · 06/02/2013 20:19

It's only 11 weeks. You do need to give it a bit longer.

StrawberryMojito · 06/02/2013 20:32

My periods didn't return for ages after I came off the pill and when they did, they were really irregular. My GP tested my hormone levels which were normal.

Eventually I got so fed up (I was getting horrendous pjs symptoms and a 42 day cycle) that I paid or acupuncture which sorted everything. YANBU to expect your GP to show more interest or sympathy but I can see why he wouldn't do a pg test if your own have come back neg. Maybe see a female GP?

KatherineKrupnik · 06/02/2013 20:36

My periods took a year to settle down after coming off the pill. I think the longest I went was 4 months without a period.

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 07/02/2013 09:51

Skinny... She said she came off the pill in July and her periods were fine until 11 weeks ago when they abruptly stopped.

hackmum · 07/02/2013 09:55

I think the pregnancy tests you've already done are probably reliable. Perfectly reasonable to be concerned about lack of periods though as it could be an indicator that something else is wrong.

Justforlaughs · 07/02/2013 10:01

When I was having difficulties ttc my second child my periods stopped and all pregnancy tests were negative. After going to my doctor they sent me a scan to see what was going on and I was in fact 9 weeks pregnant. The tests they do in teh doctors surgery are no better than the ones you buy in the shops and I wouldn't be panicing yet, but if you haven't had a period in teh next 6 weeks (not months) I'd go back.

givemeaclue · 07/02/2013 10:03

I don't understand why you went to gp? What an I missing?

AmberLeaf · 07/02/2013 10:04

I know someone who was pregnant, home tests kept giving negative results and it was only confirmed by a blood test which she got by going to the doctors.

If the OPs periods were normal for a few months and then nothing for 11 weeks would it be so unreasonable for her to expect a blood test to rule it out?

I dont think so.

Can you see a different GP?

Chocaholics · 07/02/2013 10:11

When I stopped taking the pill when my periods restarted they immediately went back into the same cycles I had prior to taking the pill for about 4 months or so then went totally haywire and had long gaps between periods and very short gaps between periods. I went to the doctors and they did blood tests to check my hormone levels.

Can you make an appointment to see a different doctor?

Original poster

onebridenobump · 07/02/2013 11:15

Thank you all for the advice, I've spoken to the surgury this morning and I have to call back at 2 to see if there is a cancellation, if not they will give me an appointment next week.

Foxsake, I've not been having unprotected sex I've been having protected sex but I just want to be sure its not pregnacy before I start thinking its anything else.

Ill just go back and see a different doctor to put my mind at rest. Thanks again for all your input

OP posts:

Crinkle77 · 07/02/2013 11:37

It is quite normal not to have a period for a long time after coming off the pill especially if you have been on it for a while. This happened to my sister and she was told it can take up to 6 months for your periods to return to normal.

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