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...

I had massively more positive experiences.

Mirena was high on the list of what I was offered by GPs but when I said I had ethical objections and explained them, as well as what I'd tried previously they dropped it without fuss.

When I got my slot for sterilisation and some other minor gynae things, the gynaecologist was actively encouraging me to consider everything to reduce pain and heavy / prolonged bleeding. He had more of a 'you shouldn't expect to just put up with it' view than I did.

Yes .rediculous .stand your ground

@OhBcereus I’ve had endless battles with them over it, but they won’t refer until 40. Even though I’ve had two unplanned pregnancies (on on pill and one on cool). With the first I went 4 times for termination and couldn’t do it as the cow in the centre showed me the scan screen even though I asked her not too. My last pregnancy was a nightmare from start to finish and my DD has significant health issues.

I haven’t had sex with my husband for 3 years as we just fear it. The consultant at the hospital had said they’d do it if I had a csection, but because DD was born at home (she was quick!) they can’t do anything without referral.

DH’s GP strongly recommended him not to have a vasectomy as he has major clotting issues so they really don’t like doing anything to him that’s not strictly necessary.

@Tuesdaysunshine

'I assume the mirena reps offer lovely incentives'

or perhaps the Mirena coil has better contraceptive effectiveness, reduced health disbenefits and/or cost effectiveness for some patients?

Yes, my GP tried and when I was equally insistent I didn’t want it she told me to research it for my next appointment. I’ll be just as adamant then as well.

@lyralalala how are they not reasons enough for them?! Shocking. Are there any other GP surgeries in your area you could swap to?

I just told them I have one DD, I absolutely don't want anymore, I don't want anymore artificial hormones as I was on the pill for 15 years and I have seen the coils up close and can't think of anything worse. He laughed, said I can't blame you. I'll refer you.

All women should have the right to decide what type of contraception they want. It's their body!
I agree that the thought of the coil goes right through me and definitely makes me feel queasy!

Yes I have offered wondered why this is pushed... no interest in taking synthetic hormones of any description.

If it's so amazing - why so many horror stories? Are the negative impacts recorded as such? Or are we dismissed as moaning women?

No. I actually asked about the coil.

So glad: I bloody love it

@OhBcereus They just have a blanket policy of not referring until 40

I’m currently working my way through their complaints procedure.

No the other GP practise is full. Plus recently I’ve had to balance the fact that they are actually good with all of my DD’s issues so moving would be an upheaval whilst she has so many referrals ongoing.

No, I asked about it and they gave me the info, decided to stick with the pill for a bit though as still a bit fragile down there. The only thing they have said no to is the injection

I wasn't allowed sterilisation in case I changed my mind ( at 37). I did get on well with Mirena though, and the bonus was it stopped my periods completely.

Never changed my mind.

It's because (according to GP and Ob/Gyn friends) - it works, and for the overwhelming majority of women, it has zero unpleasant side effects. Everyone knows someone who HAS had side effects, but most women have no side effects, no further appointments or prescriptions and no pregnancies for 5 years. What's not to love from a GP perspective?

Someone upthread said they found it patronising to be offered it at the 6 week appointment, but LOTS of intelligent, on it women get pregnant by mistake immediately after having a baby. There are many many threads on here about just that.

I've never really understood the appeal of the coil vs. the implant. I love my implant and it lasts 3 years...personally I don't have any side effects but I know this isn't the case for everyone. I think it's NHS policy to encourage long term contraception as it is a lot cheaper for the NHS and reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies through human error.

WitsEnding

Same here. The actual line they used was “well you might meet someone who wants children and change your mind”.

I’m infertile and can’t access other treatment unless I’m sterilised. They now have a rule they won’t refer for sterilisation unless you’ve tried Mirena. I can’t have Mirena due to position/size of fibroids 🙄

Yes. Every time and it fucks me off.

Yes!
I rang to book into have it fitted in June, have been told soonest appt (which I haven’t been able to make yet) is September!

I got pushed heavily into the implant which was the biggest mistake of my life (not being dramatic, I nearly killed myself) I cannot take any form of hormonal contraceptive well but I use the least worst which is Cerazette, even that's causing real issues now. I hate family planning appointments.

Yes, mirena coil. The answer to everything apparently. I had it in the end, and didn't like it, so now they don't.

or perhaps the Mirena coil has better contraceptive effectiveness, reduced health disbenefits and/or cost effectiveness for some patients?

Perhaps it does, @Zilla1, but I don't need contraception and I've already explained - both here and to my GP - what the (quite serious) health 'disbenefits' are for me. And it sounds like I'm not the only one by a long chalk. So I don't know what your point is, except to try and deny the experience of nearly every woman on this thread. As for cost effectiveness, what could be more cost effective than saying 'no, thank you'?

My doctor told me that the coil was my only option post 40 because lm overweight. I had an implant and bled constantly. We use condoms, which is a pain. Might go back.

I used to end up with an appointment for the gp in my surgery who specialises in women’s health. She has consistently tried to push me into getting the coil even when my appointment is for a completely unrelated matter. I now refuse to accept appointments with her when I visit as I’m more than happy with the contraception I’m using. Also apparently the gp receives a bonus for anyone they manage to refer for long term contraception e.g the coil, the implant etc. Unsure to how true that is though.

Yes, long acting reversal contraception is the preferred option for anyone who isn't looking to TTC soon. It's more cost effective for the NHS, carries less risks and generally is more effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies, so it's often what's recommended for all those reasons.

I have a copper coil. I don't love it, but after nearly 20 years on the pill and being done having children, it was the best option for me. But you can always just say, I'd prefer something else.

I have a copper one but they always try and push the hormonal one every time on me

Massive yes to this!! Really pissed me off last year, I had to have a biopsy of the uterine lining and I was asked a zillion times that whilst I was under G.A. I might as well have the Mireya fitted! Told them a zillion times I didn't want it! Fast forward to when I'm lying on the operating table just before I was taken into theatre and the consultant came over to me checking everything with me and said we are also fitting the mirena today aren't we?!!! Jesus how many times did they have to be told NO!!
What is with these doctors I am not having a coil inside my body full stop so I've been left to deal with my own symptoms because of my refusal to have a coil!!!

It was only contraceptive I was "allowed" in last GP practise as I was early 30s. Sexual health service there didn’t deal with over 25 year olds. Copper one was ruled out due to uninvestigated history of heavy periods. I knew several women in that area who’d had coils and got pg with them – they insisted didn’t happen which didn’t inspire confidence.

Moved changed practise – nurse was horrified we were relying on condoms – push coil heavily – again couldn’t be copper one – then prescribed pill said they could do that till 40 with monitoring.

Didn’t do well one the pill – loss of libido and anxiety that was starting to impact on normal life– hadn’t done well second time either I’d had it and they wouldn’t change pill versions and pushed Mirena – as despite it being hormonal its’s complete different, which it might be, hormones don’t travel they are unaware of anyone not liking it. So it sound like if it didn’t suit it would be a battle to get it taken out – which puts me off.

They don't seem to want to give us any more options.