Furious. Contraception related.

[WeCameToDance]

I'm so angry.
I have been trying to get a contraceptive copper coil sorted for months. I first had to have a consultation with a nurse to discuss contraception options. Fine, done. Then I'm told I need to have another appointment to discuss the copper coil. Right... Anyway fine, went this morning. The nurse (who in fairness was lovely) then tries to book an appointment. No appointments available. It won't be until at least the end of April before an appointment can even be made. Ffs. I've already wasted two appointments trying to sort this.
So then, Plan B. I phone the sexual health clinic in the hospital to see if they can do it any earlier. The most obnoxious and patronising man answered the phone who made me feel like an idiot for wanting an appointment. He tells me that I'll have to have the consultation again there. I explain I have just had one. Nope, not good enough, insinuates I might be lying. Then tells me I will need testing for STI's first. Fuck sake. I'm married, have two children so have been tested in pregnancy (both clear and as recent as last year). Nope, still need to be tested. Can I not be trusted to both know and make my own decisions on what my body is tested for. He made me feel like some sort of manic sexaholic for asking for contraception. I felt like pointing out to him that he was manning something called a helpline of which he certainly was not.
And rant over.

It's so frustrating. I've had three, I want a 4th and apparently need a consultation first so two appointments which means booking 2 days annual leave off work
I just want the old one out, and then new one in, I've had 3 consultations before!

I'm sure they have a procedure they have to stick to unfortunately. But I agree- 3 appointments to get contraception is ridiculous! It probably puts a lot of young girls off too so is counteractive anyway.

Does it have to be the coil for you? I got my BC pill (Yasmin) prescribed in one appointment with no std testing, just blood pressure. It's very easy to use and doesn't have any side effects I've found (unlike the depo injection or microgynon).

I feel your pain, it's taken me 4 months to arrange a removal & replacement for mine! YANBU to be cross at the attitude of the guy, who sounds like he shouldn't be on a helpline.

However-YABU to object to having another consultation and an sti check. People DO lie to them, they can't just take your word for it. So their policy reflects that. And coils go up inside you. You could get an horrendous infection or god knows what if it comes into contact with an sti (sorry for bad explanation). So yes, they do have to check. It's precautionary and it will be policy.

I know how you feel, even the nice staff can make you feel 16 again. But that's how it works.

the clinic near me does consultation, testing and fitting all in one long appointment. You need to essentially write off a morning or afternoon, but its done. I don't see the point in dragging these things out unnecessarily over several appointments.

Another thing to think about is what happens if you want it taken out, possibly urgently due to unpleasant side effects. How long will you have to wait, and how many medical practitioners will you need to persuade then? This is why I will never have this kind of contraception.

GCAcademic I have worried about that, particularly as I have heard some real horror stories. Nothing else suits me though (believe me I have tried) and I really don't want to get pregnant in the foreseeable future.
It seems to be quite a common problem then. No wonder there are so many unplanned pregnancies. Nobody can actually get an appointment for contraception services!

Given up on mine all together. I was told at the six week postnatal check I had to wait twelve weeks after DS was born to have it fit which I didn’t really understand but went along with it, used condoms until then. Got to the appointment all anxious thinking the coil was going to be fitted but transpired they just wanted to take swabs . Unsure why as I definitely didn’t have an STI and had just had my smear done a couple of weeks prior which was clear. Anyway, obliged and had the pointless swabs which were obviously clear. Then was told I’d have to wait a further six weeks to have the fucker fit as that was the soonest appointment. I just told them to shove it and have carried on using condoms, couldn’t be arsed going back and forth for no particular reason.

I found getting the coil put in and then subsequently removed quite easy, I'm in London though so perhaps simpler. It's ridiculous you have had to have so many appointments and still no coil! Can you do the testing at the other clinic and book in for the consultation and procedure same day? I am baffled why it needs so much consultation, I didn't have a pre procedure appointment for the Mirena!