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...

SallySynonym writing it down sounds good, and I hope you succeed in getting what is right for you. X

Yes, and so did the doctor I saw when I went to discuss my ablation and sterilisation. I told them to write that I didn't want the coil in capitals on the from of my notes - to be fair, she did!

I had to go back to my GP because the ablation did not work and it was the first bloody thing she asked me!

You've asked me 20 billion times now, why would I change my mind on being asked 2 billion and 1 times...? There was no way I was having that done.

God, nurses and GPs always try to foist contraception on me.

Even when I explain that any hormonal contraception gives me depression and anxiety, they don't give a fuck. "Better that than an unwanted pregnancy" that's what my smear test nurse said to me.

My body. My decision. I will choose.

I hadn’t even been discharged from hospital after having my son when the doctor told me they could take me right away to get the coil fitted.

Not a GP, but the nurse removing my copper coil asked whilst I was legs akimbo and speculum in, whether I was sure I wanted it removed and she could put a mirena in!!
This was after a 10 minute conversation of me explaining synthetic progesterone makes me depressed (to the point of needing to be medicated!) and we are looking to TTC this year anyway, so I didn’t want the mirena.
I had to laugh as it was completely the wrong point to ask.

A GP also said the mirena would sort out my heavy periods (due to copper coil) and when explaining that the progesterone is localised to the uterus, I sort of raised my eyebrows and she back tracked saying it is true people get acne so it can’t be completely localised.

I know it’s brilliant contraception for lots of people but just take no for an answer!

GPs get paid for each Mirena coil they fit at their surgeries.

I didn’t realise they got paid for each one ?

I was offered them for heavy periods (fibroids) - the first one disappeared, I think it probably came out the first period I had after having it put in. The second one did exactly the same thing - the Consultant was most perplexed! I didn't get offered another one!

DD2 was offered the Mirena coil instead of the pill, she is happy with. Her partner, a junior doctor said “Not been enough testing yet!”

The real world effectiveness for people taking the pill compared to something long term makes promotion of the pill as a contraceptive option an almost negligent act.

But if they explain that and you still don't want it then that's up to you and not them.

Blimey, this makes me pleased I don't live on the mainland! Here we pay around £40 for GP appointments (unless on welfare) and referrals to the hospital are free for everyone. And no Dr has ever pushed a Mirena on me, sterilisation is available free on referral (a friend had it done that way) but a small charge is payable for vasectomies (done at specified GPs under local - my DH being one of them) and you can get a same-day GP appointment any day of the week.

It's not quite in the spirit of the NHS, but frankly I'm not sure that's a bad thing from what I read on here!

Round my way it seems to be the implant rather than the coil that they push, but they do seem to want everyone on something long-acting rather than the pill.

This is an interesting thread - I had no idea others were in the same situation. Whoever I see at the GP surgery always tries to push the coil.

Suffering heavy periods for a few years. My ultrasound showed 2 small fibroids & a divided uterus. Now having a Hysteroscopy & Marine coil inserted shortly. Reading about this am concerned if the coil is the right option with a divided uterus.

My GP was constantly pushing Mirena (I had a copper coil) I constantly told her I didn't want hormonal contraception and she only listened when I reminded her I couldn't medically have anything hormonal

My preference wasn't respected at all

I find doctors massively patronising about contraception in general.

I do understand there are some very vulnerable patients who will struggle to make good decisions for themselves and I guess the doctors need to use their judgement.

But most of the women I know who complain about their doctors attitudes about it are not in that group.

Anyway, no way in a million years would I insert something into my body where I would be at the mercy of someone else to take out if it was a problem, not if there was any other choice at all.

Yes they’ve been doing for YEARS!