To think it's incredibly unfair my Trust have stopped doing female s terilisations?

[Thurlow]

I was doing some reading before a doctor's appointment later today and it seems my Trust have made the lovely decision to stop offering female sterilisations and only offer vasectomies instead.

Only DP doesn't want to be sterilized as he's younger than me (I'm fine with this), and I've now tried the combined pill, single pill and implant all with side effects I'm not willing to spend my life coping with. If they don't suit me I doubt the Mirena will either, nor the coil because it causes heavier periods. I'm 38, I have two kids, I'm done. What does that leave, the diaphragm with its relatively high failure rate?

AIBU to think this is really unfair?

The copper coil only made my periods last about 1 day extra, and not really any heavier.
The copper pill is still underprescribed as it has a reputation from decades ago that just isnt true anymore

I'm not flatly refusing I'm trying to have a) a conversation about different types of contraception and b) a conversation about having one option withdrawn

YANBU and ignore the comment about it being a major op, it’s not. However, there are some issues post sterilisation but as long as HCPs have given this info, women should be able to give informed consent.

If female sterilisation is "non-essential" surely vasectomy falls into the exact same category?

As always there is a scant regard for anything to do with women's health

I find it utterly astounding I can't get what would be life changing treatment because I am single

(Sorry for hijacking Thurlow)

I think it's the right decision female sterilisation costs the NHS much more money and carries more risks

Unwanted children cost the country a lot more.

I'm not flatly refusing

During the discussion you've said no to evert alternative offered without even trying hence flat refusal .

As always there is a scant regard for anything to do with women's health

I agree even the op justifies her dps decision to refuse vasectomy as he is young enough to have kids with someone else. Never mind the mother of his dc is putting up with the side effects from hormonal contraception following actually bearing the children.

@NewYearNiki

I disagree. I support anyone who doesn't want a medical procedure: that's the whole point of body autonomy.

In any event I'm not even ALLOWED to want sterilisation in case my poor little head gets turned by a man

But what's the alternative then if hormonal contraception doesn't agree?

Condoms

Female sterilisation is not usually major surgery. I was surprised to hear the stats quoted upthread, I've never heard of any woman having pain post surgery (other than immediate post op pain). The only complication I was told about was the slight increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

This is about women's rights to choose. It is grossly unfair that this decision is being taken out of women's hands.
There should be a more factual information available.
From my reading, there are nice guide lines regarding this which state that if long term contraceptive methods do not suit a woman, she should have the right to a sterilisation.

This is about women's rights to choose.
Exactly. A woman is not just one half of a couple. I wanted to be sterilised because I didn't want to be pregnant again, irrespective of my partners sperm producing status.

I don't think the NHS should fund either male or female sterilization, except in extreme cases. There are lots of non hormonal contraceptive methods, some which have less chance of failure than clipping of tubes. OP I doubt your insurers would fund it as it is not medically required.

I know everyone is different but I had the mirena put in when I was 20, I had no children and hadn’t even had a smear. There wasn’t any pain just a slight discomfort, no side effects and no periods for 5 years and then I had it changed, also wasn’t painful and doesn’t take long at all. I had previously had the pill and implant which I had terrible side effects with.

The cost of unplanned pregnancy far outweighs the cost of sterilisation. I’ve had the procedure and also had it reversed (privately) I found myself 4 years down the line with an unplanned pregnancy which was discovered far too late to do anything about. This was after the depo shot which was truly awful. The sterilisation itself was brilliant, quick and no problems afterwards.

I can’t very well ask them to sterilise me all over again but this pregnancy will cost the NHS more over all.

Honestly, from what I've read about the impact of tubal ligation on some women, I'd much prefer to stick with something temporary - at least you can stop taking a pill if it doesn't agree with you. I'm not sure why but many women report early menopause, loss of libido, and all the the other hormonal issues associated with hormonal contraception, as well as endometriosis, adhesions and other issues that are not fixable.

I highly doubt they'd put a Mirena in under sedation except in very exceptional circumstances. I had mine inserted during a laparoscopy after refusing for years but I had tried everything else for my endo. I was in agony for months afterwards - daily contractions for hours. The doctor refused to remove it until it had been in for 3 months. Booked an appointment for exactly 3 months to have it removed - she couldn't remove it as the strings had been cut too short. They referred me to the hospital to have it removed under sedation except they didn't sedate me, and a seemingly sadistic doctor spent an hour trying to remove it which left me hugely traumatised (as someone who already finds speculums excruciating, and my requests for a smaller speculum were refused and basically laughed at). Eventually I had to have a GA to get it removed.

I will never again have any kind of contraception that I am not personally in control of and cannot stop when I choose.

Having said all that, I know many people who say the Mirena was the best thing that's happened to them, the hormones are a very low dose and in most cases they can be removed if they're problematic.

The main worry I have with Mirena is the experience my sister and a close friend had when it didn’t suit them and asked for it to be removed. They were both refused and had to fight and argue their case before the object was removed from their body. I found that outrageous.

Has anyone else experienced anything like that? I’d like to know as I may have to consider Marina.

I had an absolute nightmare with mirena and I know I'm not alone.

They are oversold as I think they are cheap and ? incentives to put them in.

Long story short, it was awful getting it in (I'd had two kids but never been in labour so never had cervix dilated) then had loads of low level symptoms (permanent not-quite-thrush, mood issues) which are the sort of things that women are expected to just put up with, then the strings got lost and I had to have a general anaesthetic to get it out again.

It's not a magic bullet, it is hormonal contraception, and not suitable for everyone.

The problem with banning female sterilisation and saying get vasectomies is that many men refuse, pregnancy (or preventing it) is still seen as a female issue. And women obviously can't and shouldn't make decisions about mens bodies (although all over the world they make decisions about ours!!!).

Cross post Tammy. Bloody hell!

Tammy? Auto correct sorry I meant UpaBit

Nope. Wrong again. I meant Tammy lol. Sorry I’m due in a few days and absolutely knackered

I hated hormonal contraceptives, but loved my minera. Had one for five easy years, only took it out to start my family last year. I’m going to ask for another one at my 6 week post partum check up. The insertion is painful, but really quick and absolutely worth it for me.

I’ve read a lot of bad reviews online, and I’m sorry that the minera clearly doesn’t work well for everyone, but it’s been great for me and for a lot of people I know in real life.

I do agree that it’s rubbish that your trust won’t offer you sterilisation - But I think we’ve all got a responsibility to try the most cost effective methods first, unless there’s a really good reason why they’re not right for us. I hope you’re able to find a good solution for you and your partner, everyone deserves to have safe, stress free and reliable contraception.

That's one of my fears with the Mirena. I'm interested to see whether they'll agree to take out the implant after just 2 months. I feel like you could lose control over what is in your body and your right to have it removed when you want it.

Horrible that there is still no effective solution to this and that yes, women are often expected to put up with change to their body and personality and if they are relatively 'minor' they aren't taken seriously.

Sorry if this is insensitive but I’d assume that getting a copper coil put in would be less traumatic than a top, I mean in the physical sense?

We choose condoms.

No hormones or invasive procedures.

One failure in a decade from ‘lax’ useage.

@sevendown. Nope cos they knock you out for the op. Lovely sleep