Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to tell my GP I refuse to stay on BC any longer?

50 replies

BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:22

I have high BP which isn't responding well to medication. Last year my GP wanted to put me on some other meds but was reluctant as they cause birth defects and I wasn't on any BC. Long story short - just after Christmas I started on Cerelle (POP), and the GP prescribed the new meds.

I've bled almost every day since (full period and then heavy spotting). I am totally fed up with it. DH had a vasectomy last week, so in 4 months or so it won't matter anyway. I saw the WellWoman nurse on Friday, who listened, shrugged, said there was no other option, and gave me another six months of Cerelle. I don't want another six months of constant spotting.

I have a GP appointment later today. WIBU to tell him I'm not going to take any more Cerelle? I don't want to come off the BP meds, and I'm certain I can avoid pregnancy for four months.

OP posts:
TiedUpWithString · 23/03/2015 15:24

YANBU! There are such a thing as condoms. Has your GP's surgery not heard of them?

TheMoa · 23/03/2015 15:28

I wouldn't even bother telling the GP.

Accept the script, and don't present it at the pharmacy. Just take the BP meds as normal.

You have assessed the risks and know what you're doing.

If you tell the GP they might feel obliged to stop the BP meds to cover their own back.

dementedpixie · 23/03/2015 15:28

cerelle isn't the only option of mini pill. There are others you could try with different active ingredients that may suit better

Morelikeguidelines · 23/03/2015 15:29

Surely you don't have to have sex during those 4 months if you want an absolute guarantee?

Also of course there are other forms of contraception.

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:30

Condoms aren't safe enough. I just wouldn't risk it, the GP wouldn't either.

TheMoa I'm on a mixture of different meds for different things, if I stop the BC I need to tell the GP as it can change things.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:32

Blush the GP wouldn't want me to risk it either.

That sounded very bad...

OP posts:
MigGril · 23/03/2015 15:34

I agree you don't have to put up with it, I'm not taking any BC pill but am also taking medication that could cause birth defects if I got pregnant. But have no intention to I know my cycle, use condoms have never had any problems with them and we really don't intend to have any more children they can be a good form of birth control. My GP seems quit happy with this arrangement, although I do know some who have been refused the drug I'm on without hormonal BC.

By the way exercise is supposed to be really good for BP my DH managed to drop his significantly by doing a serious amount of exercise. Disadvantage being you do have to have the time for it.

DayLillie · 23/03/2015 15:35

Other mini pills are less reliable but do not cause this infernal spotting. Worth a try with the GP.

Hope your DH's vasectomy works fast Wink

fermerswife · 23/03/2015 15:36

BlackNoSugar, if used properly and consistently, condoms are perfectly reliable. Believe me I don't like hormonal contraceptives and they worked for me for 6 years, a bit of a faff but safe all the same. So OP if you only have 4 months till OH has the all clear just don't take the pills and use condoms, no need to bother with GP at all.

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:38

Thanks MigGril, good to know your GP is on board with it. I'm worried mine will want to stop the BP meds, I'm not sure how convinced he'll be by my argument that I know how to not get pregnant.

Exercise is fab for lowering BP, but I already do an hour of physio a day and that's about my limit Smile

OP posts:
MigGril · 23/03/2015 15:38

By the way I also stopped hormonal BC because it was causing health problems (the reason why I'm on medication in the first place). So to have to take it would be counter productive. Before anyone has a go at me.

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 23/03/2015 15:43

Could you use Condoms plus extra spermicide?

I sympathise re the rubbish BC options & their effects. I posted about this on the BC thred MNHQ have at present. I have finally got so fed up with my copper coil & the side effects (and there can be plenty besides the change in your periods) that I pulled it out last week. I don't intend the tell the GP.

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:47

The GP's already said condoms are not reliable enough, so I don't think he'd be at all happy with that. The only mini-pill that I can use is the desogestrel one, so I can't even switch to a different one.

I'm seeing him anyway for my BP today so this isn't an appointment specifically to discuss this, but I do need to let him know if I stop the Cerelle.

OP posts:
TiedUpWithString · 23/03/2015 15:51

Out of interest OP, as you've said condoms are not reliable enough, you've said you know how to not get pregnant. Apart from abstinence, how is that then?

Naoko · 23/03/2015 15:52

I was on medication that causes birth defects for two years, the only thing that was ever said to me (by a consultant, not a GP) was to be aware of that and not get pregnant. Maybe the difference was that said medication also makes many forms of hormonal birth control not work, so it doesn't leave a lot of options, I don't know.

In any case, we used condoms, and the odds of getting pregnant if you use them correctly are really very low. I didn't, and now that I'm off the medication don't intend to go back on the pill because I feel much better off it and I'm confident the condoms are fine.

Naoko · 23/03/2015 15:53

'Didn't get pregnant', that is. Not 'didn't use them correctly', I just reread that and realised the ambiguity.

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 15:57

TiedUp there are more ways to have sex than PIV.

I asked the GP about condoms, he just seems to think they have too high a failure rate and he wanted me on "reliable contraception" before he would prescribe the BP meds. Which is why I'm a bit concerned he might want to stop the meds if I'm not on the pill.

OP posts:
TiedUpWithString · 23/03/2015 15:59

Aah! Sorry OP- i was being dim! Yes, of course!

misssmilla1 · 23/03/2015 15:59

How about using condoms, along with ovulation prediction kits? The latter are pretty accurate at identifying your most fertile days, and you could always avoid sex on those 5 or so days

BeyondDoesBootcamp · 23/03/2015 16:03

Tell the gp that bc is not required, you know how to not get pregnant. If they push on it, keep saying it isnt required. If they keep pushing, tell them youve left your husband for a woman.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 23/03/2015 16:03

I would request a new GP tbh. No way would I be taking extra medication I didn't want or need that has side effects.

Condoms are perfectly adequate.

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 16:04

Beyond Grin

OP posts:
CMOTGilbertBlythe · 23/03/2015 16:07

Would you consider a mirena coil for a few months?

Original poster
BlackNoSugar · 23/03/2015 16:13

I expelled a coil last year. With my age and medical history the only BC options are desogestrel pill or condoms. Or avoiding PIV sex.

OP posts:
Notrevealingmyidentity · 23/03/2015 16:14

Try telling him you only take it up the arse and that as far as you know, you can't get pregnant that way ?

Swipe left for the next trending thread