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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

192 replies

Loveskating135 · 18/07/2019 11:51

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...

OP posts:
SureTry · 18/07/2019 21:35

I had the Mirena fitted, I didn't have any problems with it, insertion was painful but that was ok, my problem came after it was removed so I could TTC. I had an ectopic pregnancy, lost one of my tubes. It could have been completely coincidental, but having had 2 successful pregnancies prior to it, it has left me wondering was it the Mirena? What I do know is that I'll never have anything like that in my uterus again.

francienolan · 19/07/2019 04:55

Mine will move heaven and earth to get me off the pill and will not listen to my reasons why I want it and not the coil.

To be honest it really had damaged my trust in the doctors and nurses at that practice.

RedSheep73 · 19/07/2019 07:17

I've been on the dreaded Mirena for 11 years now, so maybe it's all changed since I started, but my experience was it was never pushed at all. It was only a midwife who even suggested it, after I told her my dd was the result of a minipill fail. I'd never even heard of Mirena at that point, and it sounded like the best invention ever. And still does, to be honest. Much cheaper and safer than sterilisation, and incredibly effective. Why wouldn't everyone give it a go? If you've been on the pill with no issues, and most of us have, it's a much better option and they are right to encourage it.

jellycatspyjamas · 19/07/2019 07:31

I’m glad that it works for you, I’m on the mini-pill and that works well for me in controlling heavy, painful periods. I don’t need it for contraception so I’m not worried about its failure rate etc.

I don’t want something placed inside me that I can’t easily remove myself. I don’t want a coil or implant for that reason and it’s entirely my right to choose. I’ve had a discussion with my GP, and tbh she mentioned the coil, saw the look on my face and immediately said “nope, that looks like it’s not ok with you, let’s try the pill”. She put a clear note on my file and it’s never been mentioned again. Which is exactly how it should be.

AquaPris · 19/07/2019 07:51

No, they've mentioned it when discussing options but they're happy with my choosing the implant.

edgeofheaven · 19/07/2019 08:23

Women with IUDs report high levels of satisfaction with it so I'm not surprised that medical professionals recommend them.

There is an issue if GPs or nurses are refusing to listen to women who say they don't want them but that's a general patient care problem.

teddypasty · 19/07/2019 09:57

Yes, every time I go no matter what I go for

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 19/07/2019 10:03

Yes, GPs push the coil, have always wondered why.
I went to the GP a while back about heavy periods - why not have the coil they said!
No no and thrice no, can't bear the thought of them inserting that plus I've heard about the complications and horror stories about thrush and BV etc.
Also my husband is infertile due to cancer treatment so we don't need contraception anyway!

3luckystars · 19/07/2019 10:11

Yes!!!

To the point where my sister was suggesting that they are getting incentivisied to push it.

What happened me, the doctor wouldn't take it out! Kept saying 'give it a chance to settle down.
I said no wonder it's such a good contraceptive, I am bleeding non stop for 6 weeks and can't do anything!!

Anyway she was insisting so much I said to her 'why don't you want me to get it out, I hate it, either you take it out or I will' and she gave in and took it out.

It did not suit me at all. My stomach was swelled out and I felt awful and just wanted it out. My other friends all love it though.

floribunda18 · 19/07/2019 10:15

Mirena releases levonogestrel. Microgynon contains levonogestrel. I didn't get on with Microgynon, which is why I've always avoided the Mirena.

Desogestrel is fine though.

floribunda18 · 19/07/2019 10:17

I don't have any periods on desogestrel. With Microgynon I was bleeding all the time and felt very depressed and bloated.

IhaveALooBrush · 19/07/2019 10:32

Every. Fucking. Time.
I went private with my pill in the end as I was pissed off with having it hard sold to me all the fucking time.
I'm not an idiot. I know my own body. I have been through many many pill brands and suffered many many side effects. I've been bloated, I've been swollen, I've had boobs grow three cup sizes, I've had acne, I've been a screaming mentalist, I've had brown patches all over my face. Every single symptom had been dismissed from being down to the pill by GPs.
It was the pill.
I'm not willing to have something I cannot control in my body. I can stop taking my pill straight away if I don't like it. If I tried a coil and didn't like it it, would be up to someone else to remove it at their convenience.

roothyb · 19/07/2019 10:33

I've had the copper coil for 4 years now. I had it before I had my DS (10) and had to have it removed because the pain was excruciating. However, decided to have it put in again 4 years ago and I've had no pain and it's settled in really well! I'm shocking with hormone contraception. Absolute fat angry monster!

IsobelRae23 · 19/07/2019 11:04

Had copper coils for over 15 years, no problems. Last year when I was ‘due’ a new one, the family planning clinic (as our surgery no longer deals with coils) persuaded me to have a Mirina, several weeks ago I suffered a miscarriage. Seriously thinking of going back to the copper.

pooopypants · 19/07/2019 11:08

Both my GP (more than one of them) tried to push me into having a coil, as did a gynae consultant. They all got told that I was adamant that 1. I didn't want more children and therefore something more permanent 2. That I've taken 3 'for the team' so my days of people rummaging around in my lady parts (smears aside) are over and 3. Like hell I've have something shoved into my uterus

No. Rinse and repeat.

Bibijayne · 19/07/2019 11:13

Yeah, I found the whole contraception talk odd. I'm 34. Married, financially stable. I'm in family mode thanks. I also cannot take any hormonal pills after serious ICP in pregnancy. I pointed out condoms work just fine thanks and if an accident happened we were totally set up to deal with it.

It felt like I was a naughty teenager being told off for under age sex...

MulticolourMophead · 19/07/2019 11:25

Given the number of posts, on both this and other threads, that raise issues with side effects, I wonder how we can trust the reports that the mirena is so great.

Doctors fob women off when they complain and ask for coils to be removed, so can we trust them to actually submit reports on side effects?

I believe we can report side effects ourselves online, and maybe we should, to get a more accurate report on side effects.

I bet there's a discrepancy between the level of side effects reported by women, and the side effects reported by the company.

SallySynonym · 19/07/2019 11:34

Yep. Like a pp, I am finding it has damaged my trust in staff at my GP practice. I've had both a gynaecologist and counsellor write to my GP to explain that the pill has been prescribed for me and it is the most suitable method of managing my periods and contraception in my specific circumstances. They have detailed how my previous experience of sexual assault means I would not be able to tolerate the procedure of having the coil inserted, nor the feeling/knowledge of having something inside me. I've been assured a note will be made on my file but I am still harassed about this (and yes, it does feel like harassment) every time I see the GP. They are determined to get me off the pill and have the coil fitted instead. Unfortunately because of the issues I've referenced above, whenever they bring it up and won't drop the subject, I just can't bear talking about it end up getting really upset and I've had more than one doctor suggest that the pill is obviously causing mood swings so all the more reason to switch. They've now taken to only giving me a three-month pill supply at a time (it used to be 12 months), so that I can think about my options and come back and discuss it soon. It's awful and I feel myself going into fight or flight mode just in the waiting room, anticipating the conversation to come.

I know a lot of people have issues with the pill (I'm on cerazette) but for me it has been an absolute godsend. I suffered so badly with my periods that my moods would be erratic and I would go into full on angry meltdowns, throwing things, breaking things and hurting myself on a regular basis. I only had about 5 days in the month when I felt normal. The pain during the first 3-4 days of my period was utterly debilitating. The pill took all of that away and I know feel permanently like I used to on those 5 days only. I live in absolute fear of having to give that up and go back to how I was.

MulticolourMophead · 19/07/2019 11:41

SallySynonym what about taking someone to appointments with you as an advocate? Is there someone who can intercede on your behalf?

scaryteacher · 19/07/2019 11:41

That's awful Sally. If you can do it, could you take a letter with you describing why the coil isn't suitable for you, and give it to them to read right there and then? It saves you the stress of having to explain, and they can hopefully see why you want discussion of the coil shut down.

SallySynonym · 19/07/2019 11:49

Thank you - it took a lot to write that post.

@MulticolourMophead, I don't really have anyone I can take to appointments. Nobody irl knows about my past history apart from DH and although he is utterly brilliant, he also has a tendency to believe and agree with HCPs whatever the circumstances as he wouldn't dare challenge an expert professional opinion. I worry that he would get so far in advocating for me but then be persuaded by them to just give it a try...

@scaryteacher - writing is down is such an obvious solution. Can't believe I haven't thought to do that. I'll definitely give that a try next time and see if it makes a difference.

TuesdaySunshine · 19/07/2019 12:51

God, some of these accounts are just awful. Imagine having someone go on and on at you about the coil to the point where you get upset, and then being told you're upset because the pill causes mood swings and so you really should just get the coil. I knew this relentless pushing of the coil was a thing but I'm really shocked by the scale and intensity of the problem.

Primary health must be littered with examples of things that are objectively considered to be the best option in terms of both efficacy and cost-effectiveness (e.g. vaccinations) but I'm struggling to think of anything at all that is pursued with such obnoxiousness and lack of respect.

Unburnished · 19/07/2019 12:55

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

Same here. I've had it suggested to me for heavy periods, as a replacement for the pill and for HRT.

I suspect they're targeted on it or given incentives. It's a shame because it means that the consultation almost takes on the feel of a sales pitch.

Normaknowall · 19/07/2019 14:20

Was basically told it would be the best solution for me when I went to see about bleeding when because of my gynae history I don't tend to have periods and am now 50.
Don't have good track record with artificial hormone treatments and had heard it was hit or miss but was assured it "worked for pretty much everyone in your position" rather than as contraceptive.
Horrendous pain getting it inserted.
Bleeding and pain everyday, tearful, exhausted and emotional - GP sent me to gynae emergency clinic and when there was a wee debate about the cause of the symptoms I was v firm I wanted it removed. Much less painful as it folds up and slips out! Pain and bleeding, mood swings, tears were worse for a couple of days due to hormone rebalancing, but within a week all the symptoms had stopped.
It definitely is their main and only recommendation and I don't think they take the possible abreactions seriously. Just "it isn't for everyone, some women have problems like you". And weeks of my life affected, work, relationships etc.
But I was lucky - quick referal and no one argued with me when I wanted it out.

jellycatspyjamas · 19/07/2019 15:43

@sallySynonym I have similar reasons for not wanting the coil - happily my GP thus far has accepted that and doesn’t raise it with me but if they did I know I’d simply say we’ve spoken about this before and my position is the same, are you refusing to prescribe the pill for me? I’ve spoken to the GP before about sexual trauma, so I don’t feel the need to explain again why I don’t want anything inserted inside of me, from here on in its “we’ve discussed this, move on please”.

I too am on cerazette and have found it life changing in terms of reducing heavy bleeding and pain, I won’t accept another change at this point.