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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that my GP doesn't want to give me the pill?

210 replies

AVirginLitTheCandle · 15/11/2016 15:41

I realise he's just doing his job and I probably am BU but I just need to vent and hopefully get some advice.

I have taken the pill on and off over the past 11 years with no problems however my dad has suffered two blood clots over the past couple of years. Because of this the GP is now reluctant to prescribe me the pill as he feels it's too risky.

I'm annoyed but now I have no clue what my options are. I have just recently entered a new relationship and I don't want to rely on condoms alone. I had the implant a few years ago and hated it - mood swings, depression, heavy and painful periods, etc. So that's out.

So what does that leave? Mini pill, coil (no thanks!) or injection (which is what GP is pushing me to have). I've read up on the injection previously and it just sounds horrible.

Arrggh, I want my pill, damn it! Angry Sad

OP posts:
bunnyfuller · 16/11/2016 22:56

I think the ring, implant, mire a etc are all progesterone only, so do NOT have the same hormones as the combined pill. Progesterone only contraception works harder at making implantation/sperm getting in difficult to impossible, combined pill stops ovulation plus the other bits. I love the implant but it is all individual.

GandTea · 16/11/2016 23:01

Completely understand.. I had a blood clot in my lung which was 99.9% likely due to pneumonia I had at the time. However, having had it, I can no longer have the pill. I tried numerous versions of the mini pill but they didn't work for me (ended up having a period basically all the time..) and after lots of prodding (hospital scans; etc.; etc.), really didn't fancy anything invasive.. We just ended up using condoms.. Not helpful, sorry.. 🙁

bunnyfuller · 16/11/2016 23:02

Wrong about the ring... Every day's a school day!

DonaldTrumpsWig · 16/11/2016 23:15

I know someone who died of a blood clot associated with the pill. (autopsy confirmed it.) You don't want to risk that do you?

mummylove2monsters · 16/11/2016 23:28

I don't want to freak you out but my mum died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 41 ( from being on the pill for so long we suspect ) she was a non smoker non drinker - due to this I haven't been on the pill since - it's not worth it x look at your other options- your health is more important xxxx please think about it xxxx

leapyearbaby · 17/11/2016 00:10

ive had a stroke at 43. trust me do not risk it. (not from the pill however) could you ask for a blood thrombophilia screen? some clotting disorders are genetic, others not. you may not even have one. i do recommend the copper coil though, yes cramp initially, but then fine. forget i have it.

leapyearbaby · 17/11/2016 00:21

just read more of the thread. good point above that not all clotting disorders may be shown in tests

mothertobe · 17/11/2016 07:26

Hi there.

I'm a GP on mat leave. Sorry haven't read all the replies. There are many GPs who don't know the eligibility criteria for the combined pill. They are supposed to use the UKMEC eligibility criteria. If you have a first degree relative who has had DVTs when aged over 45 then it's classified as UKMEC 2 which means benefits outweigh risks. Only if he was under 45 then it changes to risks outweigh benefits. You can refer to this document.

www.fsrh.org/documents/ukmec-2009/ukmec2009.pdf

I would definitely discuss this further with your GP and show him this and unless there are other contraindications, I personally would prescribe with the caveat that there are always risks attached when taking the COCP.

Hope that's helpful.

FruitCider · 17/11/2016 07:41

Nuvaring is combined hormones, so is not suitable for you.

Your choices are:
Condoms
Diaphragm/cap
Depot provera
Implanon
Mini pill
IUD/IUS. Most places will not fit mirena unless you have given birth as it is a bigger device.

LEA1986 · 17/11/2016 08:23

I've used the mini pill cerazette for years, you take it every day with no break unlike the combined pill and I never get any periods or mood swings on them. If this helps.

nooka · 17/11/2016 08:58

As there is so much collective intelligence on this thread I hope you don't mind if I ask a almost but not entirely related question. My dd is currently trialing her second mini pill to try and stop her ovulating and getting recurrent ovarian cysts. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working as she is still getting painful periods and even more painful cysts. She's trying mycrogn (think that's right, it's an older pill) after the other pill they tried made her feel quite low and also didn't work. We've been told the only other option she can try is an injection as she has aura headaches but why would an injection work better that the pills?

Stormtreader · 17/11/2016 09:52

I had the injection for a few years and didnt realise how badly it affected me until I stopped and a few months later my libido suddenly came back, loads of weight came off and the awful huge spots Id been having vanished.

Im still pretty sure that its such an effective contraceptive because you just dont want to have sex any more!

limitedperiodonly · 17/11/2016 10:09

If you have a first degree relative who has had DVTs when aged over 45 then it's classified as UKMEC 2 which means benefits outweigh risks.

That's interesting mothertobe. My mother had a DVT at 57 and I reported it, expecting to be refused the combined pill, but hoping to get it. The doctor assured me that it was fine. I suppose she was working off the rules you've cited. I never had any problems with it.

I think it helped that she was a FPC doctor and therefore a specialist. I'm glad that one of the last messages I read from OP was that she was going to the FPC.

I don't think you have 'attitude' OP. Just go there and take their advice.

kali110 · 17/11/2016 10:15

nooka has she tried cerazette? I tried the injection but it made my headaches worse.
Cerazette stopped my periods, not straight away, prob a month or two after wheni initially started taking it.

caringcarer · 17/11/2016 12:14

A similar thing happened to me when I was 36. I relied on condoms and was super careful, all seemed to be ok but after 2 years I got pregnant. Still not quite sure how as none were ever split. I did not even realise until I was about 14 weeks as still had light periods. You must go back to GP and ask for full review of all of your options. If you do end up using condoms do a routine pregnancy check after every period.

Rowenag · 17/11/2016 13:10

I tried to have the coil fitted twice and it was impossible for me. The pain was beyond belief. I decided to get sterilised instead as I don't want anymore children but when I went to get the sterilisation done at the hospital they offered to insert the coil under a general anaesthetic instead. I agreed and am glad I did as it has been a good and convenient solution for me. Once it was in, it has been pain free.

Baylisiana · 17/11/2016 16:15

I don't have dc and I have always relied on condoms, now starting to think there is something wrong with me because they have worked Blush

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 17/11/2016 16:34

I had the copper coil fitted last week (at the family planning clinic). I was worried as I usually find smear tests really painful but this wasn't. It as uncomfortable and a bit pinchey at times but not at all painful. The actual insertion took no longer than 5 mins. I took a couple of ibruprofen beforehand and did deep breathing throughout and it was fine. So far I've had some cramping and spotting but again, nothing horrific.
I am 39 and don't plan any more children so I am really hoping it'll stay there until menopause.

TaraCarter · 17/11/2016 17:54

I have blood clotting issues in my family, and so had a Factor V Leiden test before I was prescribed the pill. I can see why your doctor is concerned, but given it's a form of contraception you get on, it seems worth finding out whether you have even inherited an propensity to bloodclots.

TaraCarter · 17/11/2016 17:57

Ignore that, looking up thread, it seems practice has changed to account for other heritable blood disorders that aren't testable.

Nimmykins · 17/11/2016 23:16

I can't do the pill and have a copper coil now. It's brilliant. Otherwise, how about asking DH to get the snip?

jacks11 · 17/11/2016 23:40

Bunnyfuller

Sorry, you are not correct. The mirena, depo provera injection and implant are indeed all progestogen only methods of contraception. The ring and patch are both combined hormonal contraceptives.

jacks11 · 17/11/2016 23:46

mothertobe

I am also a Dr- I agree about the use of the UKMEC criteria and pointed out link to the new UKMEC criteria.

I'm not sure re the patients full past medical history/age of onset of her fathers clots and so on, so hard to be absolutely sure what I would do. If the only contra-indication was OPs father's history of clots but there were no other concerns, then fine. However, I would say that several UKMEC 2 or similar may again give me pause for thought, but each case has to be judged on an individual basis in these cases.

jacks11 · 17/11/2016 23:57

sorry should clarify- if only concern was father's history of blood clots (and he was over 45 years at the time of 1st clot) then I would counsel re the risks and would probably prescribe. If there were other concerns (raised BMI, over 35 years and a smoker and so on) then I would be more cautious.

DustyMaiden · 18/11/2016 00:05

Can't you have an INR test. I had one when Dsis had a PE, my blood doesn't clot easily, I am a bleeder.