To ask if your GP tries to ‘persuade’ you to have the coil

[Loveskating135]

Wondering if GPs are trained to push you in the direction of getting the coil. I’ve now found a pill I’m happier on, but the GP seems to still strongly recommend the coil. I haven’t had any unwanted pregnancies or anything but this seems to be what they want you to be on...

Yep.

To utterly ridiculous ends.

To be fair my GP admits it’s stupid, but it is practice policy.

Yes. I went for a repeat of cerazette 6 months after having a baby and the thought made my eyes water but the nurse was quite insistent.

Mine has suggested it a few times, last time he suggested it could also act as HRT as I am in my late 40s

Mirena coil obvs

Yep.
After both DCs were born, my GP really tried to push the coil.
I explained that there’s no way I’m putting synthetic hormones into my body again (they fuck me up six ways to Sunday), and there’s definitely no way I’m having anything shoved into my uterus 🤢. The whole idea of it makes me queasy.
Pregnant with DC3 right now, but DH is awaiting his vasectomy appointment to come through - contraception will no longer be an issue!

I had the copper coil and developed endometriosis while on it. Now, this could have been because I took the combined pill for years which suppressed any endo symptoms, and when I was then hormone free the endometriosis started to develop, but whatever the reason, suddenly I had lots of pain which I hadn't had before and ended up having surgery.

Since then I've been on desogestrel which works pretty well for me, but every time I have a check the doctor asks me if I want to try the Mirena. But I think "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I don't want to mess about with different synthetic hormones when I've found some that suit me.

I find the whole contraception talk at the 6 week checkup a bit patronising. I was forceful with the GP that I don't need contraception but they don't let it go. I'm a woman in her late 30s not a teenager.

Yes, I had copper and mirena (both disastrous) and had to fight to get it taken out. The chronic pain I was suffering was definitely not down to the coil and it was "the best option". Funny the stabbing pain stopped immediately when the damn thing was taken out.

Yes.
I haven't taken any contraception since DH had the snip 22 years ago.
I've got a fibroid and am anaemic. Every time I go for repeat blood tests, they tell me I'd be better off with a Mirena.
I've refused 3 times so far but they keep trying

I think I'm in the minority with my GP practice. They were very supportive. At my 6 week check she asked me what I was planning on using. Didn't try and push anything. I went away for a while, saw another GP and asked to be sterilised. He didn't try to push the coil but just asked why as it was more unusual for the woman to want the procedure. I told him my reasons, he said fair enough and I have my first appointment in September.

The coil is the most effective and for the longest time which is why GPs recommend it overnight other types. Also the copper coil has no hormones which helps prevent other problems. Everyone knows someone who’s ended up pregnant on the pill, they’re just following nhs guidelines. I understand though that they shouldn’t be particularly pushy and it is ultimately up to the woman.

Mine tries to push it, there’s no way I’d have it done. I know lots of people who have had minor complications with it, and two people who have major issues that needs surgery to resolve.
I had the implant for three years, but since then I’ve been on the pill, which means I have control of my fertility, and I can stop taking it anytime I want.

Yes, I have found that the 'push' to make women have the Mirena coil regardless of circumstances shocking.
I am menopausal and my HRT (the only one that I have been able to manage) has been 'discontinued' and pharmacies will no longer order it for me (I have tried so many). I have been told that I must have a Mirena or nothing. I have severe vaginal atrophy, partial prolapse, and apparently a 'collapsing' vagina. The last time they tried to do a smear my labia & vaginal skin started splitting every time they tried to insert a speculum(? sorry if spelled wrong) and it was agonising. BUT in the doctor's opinion I should have a coil but couldn't explain how it could be inserted without damaging me. My atrophy is untreatable and doctor doesn't understand why my vagina is collapsing but I should still have a Mirena apparently.......

So no HRT for me and I'm managing on my own because I will not allow them to damage me further. I get it that the Mirena works ok for a lot of women but it was the 'it's this or nothing' attitude that really pissed me off as it would appear that money is the prime motivator here.

I feel the same and it is one of the reasons I am hesitant to visit the GP regarding issues. I have endometriosis and have a tilted heart shaped womb. I have had issues with my periods for the last 22 years , the common response is that things will improve once I have children or to have the coil fitted. I have been advised not to have the coil due to the shape of my womb and increased risk of perforation, when I explain to the gp about the shape issues they take the coil option off the table but dont offer any alternatives. I asked about medication at the last appointment and was advised to take painkillers or to have a heated balloon device (have no idea what this is and when I asked for more info the GP said I'd need to book an appt with the female GP to find out more). I hate that this is the only option offered and that each GP (moved around a lot due to work) offers the coil without even looking at notes.

Yes, but at the drop in sexual health clinic in a hospital where I have to go to pick up the pill. (GP won't prescribe.)

Every. Single. Time...

...until I was seen by the head of department as they were short staffed (didn't know who she was initially), I started conversation by saying I wanted a repeat prescription for the POP and no, I will not have the coil so don't even mention it. She was quite shocked! She told me that she would never recommend it off the bat, or insist on it, and a lot of women who have it later have it removed as it doesn't suit them.

Guess it works out cheaper which is why they push it??

They actively try to dissuade me, first because I hadn't had children, then because they assumed I would be wanting another quickly. They don't like taking it out though ( because I want children, so not a question of contraception/cost effectiveness).

Ive had several copper coils and I am very happy with it.

However each time the GP has been quite insistant that I have a Mirena, even when I say I dont want one they still go on.

I have to pul the 'I cant have hormonal types of contarception' and they begrudgingly back off.

Why they cant respect my choice, I dont know

@MothralovesGojira that's appalling!

Yes, the family planning nurse I used to see was always trying to get me to have a coil. I didn't want the pill or a coil, but she kept on going at me. I started wondering if she had shares in the manufacturing company. She even tried to scare me into having it: 'you're in your 40s now: what if you get pregnant? At your age the chances of your baby having defects greatly increase'. Cheers, love.

I get it every time even though my last pregnancy happened on the Mirena

Apparently that’s a fluke and won’t happen again. I’m not taking the chance. My body doesn’t deal well with hormones as I also got pregnant on the pill and I’m 99% sure I took it right.

Roll on next year when I’m 40 and deemed old enough to decide (after 5 children) that I want sterilised as I’ve been too young for the last 6 years in their opinion

Everything has costs and benefits.

It's much, much, much easier for the practice to prescribe oral contraceptives than to fit and refit a coil. For some patients, the risk profile for oral medication is much higher than for the coil, hence in some circumstances, I suspect the advice PPs have mentioned is to better inform the patient's choice.

I imagine the conversation when an older patient has a DVT, other cardio or cancer event 'you Dr should have explained more about the cardio risks, increased risks of cancer.... rather than just letting me have the pill again and again'.

My GP pushes the mirena coil relentlessly.

My mental health fares badly on synthetic progesterone. I get depressed on the POP and when I had to take norethisterone briefly I started getting paranoid delusions, so I have no wish to try the mirena, especially as everyone says it's a nightmare to get it removed again if you want/need to. I've explained all of this to him and it astonishes me how dismissive he is, when he's a good GP in every other respect, listens properly, respects my autonomy about other decisions even when he disagrees. It comes up regularly, and he's so pushy about it that we actually laugh now about what a complete bore he's being.

I assume the mirena reps offer lovely incentives, either that or put something in everyone's coffee and hypnotise them. It's very odd. I'm starting to wonder if it incorporates a tracking device so that all the difficult women can be rounded up and interned eventually.

fortunately not! but then I've been at the same surgery my whole life, and known my current gp since childhood- though he wasn't my gp at the time- but my friends dad! and saw the hell that me trying various types of pill ended up being- ( everything ive tried so far- of different hormonal types- has turned me into the hotmonal bitch from hell, caused weight gain, acne, and in at least 2 of them, done nothing to actually stop my period anyway- wasn't that a fun trip! and mefanemic(? spelling) acid did sweet FA either)
its on my record that hormonal contraception dosent work, and after my mu, had a rejection of the copper cil and ended up with a severe infection after it was inserted, they've fortunately taken that of the table too!!! I want to be steralised, but the practice wont refer me, though the gp understands why, but I'm not old enough yet.

@lyralalala that's appalling! I'm 32 and being sterilised soon. They just said "ok, I'll refer you". I had a letter from the hospital 2 days later with the first appointment.

I’m not allowed to be sterilised because I’m single and “might meet someone and change my mind”.

Patronising shit.

I feel exactly the same as the poster upthread who used the word ‘queasy’ when it is discussed.
That’s exactly how the thought of it makes me feel !