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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about the lack of NHS [contraception] services

94 replies

LondonStone · 17/09/2020 12:00

Let me just start by saying my mum, sister, and auntie and uncle all work for the NHS in various roles. They all worked throughout the lockdown and I bloody love the NHS however...

When my contraceptive implant expired in March 2020 I decided I wanted to remove it. DH was totally on board and we are at a point that pregnancy would be welcomed but not officially trying.

I’ve been on the pill and had implants for almost half my life and really have no idea what I’m like or what my body is like without it.

I can’t get an appointment anywhere around me (London/Essex border) to remove it. I spoke to one place who told me categorically no so I tried another tactic next time and said we were trying for a baby and was told ‘we don’t recommend you becoming pregnant in the current climate’. The third place I told the truth and said ‘well it’s expired now and I really just want to remove it and see if it has any impact on my health and mental health’. I was told sorry, services are running but for emergencies only.

AIBU to think a simple 10 minute procedure on my upper arm in which we could both wear masks should really be going ahead. I know it’s not a life and death situation and I don’t want to endanger anyone in the NHS but surely things have got to resume in a sensible and safe way?

(As a side note, if anyone around London/Essex can recommend somewhere private for around £200, I will pay for it now as I just don’t know when it will happen otherwise.)

OP posts:
Imicola · 17/09/2020 12:47

Its not ok. You need autonomy over your own body and your reproductive choices. End of. Don't let it drop and don't feel guilty about it.

Fink · 17/09/2020 12:50

My GP's surgery in Gants Hill are doing smear tests and I would think contraceptive services too (I was offered a coil at my last appointment, which implies they would have someone to fit it). It's not a brilliant surgery over all, but if you want to register with them short term to get it done I can PM you the details.

I've also lived in the North East and agree that generally the NHS services (except dentist) were easier to access there.

Phillipa12 · 17/09/2020 12:53

Some surgeries are offering smear tests as I had a smear test last month at my Dr's.

OrigamiOwl · 17/09/2020 12:54

@zigaziga

There was a similar thread on conception a while back. Someone had to threaten to remove it themselves (apparently it can be done!) and the GP relented.

But no, I don’t think you are U.

My DC had medical appointments postponed by 5 months. Non urgent, like yours and of course we could have coped in a few weeks delay and it wasn’t the biggest deal but months and month impacted his life negatively and I don’t think it’s ok.

This was me. I tried for months to get it removed. Suggested that I would remove it myself in their waiting room and they could just stitch me up afterwards... Suddenly I was granted an appointment. It was an extreme action, but I'd had loads of problems on it, so desperately needed it removed.
OrigamiOwl · 17/09/2020 12:58

Having now read the linked thread... Looks like several of us have had to threaten to remove it ourselves to get any action.

LittleBearPad · 17/09/2020 12:59

Some of these stories are appalling. Smear tests should be happening! Surgeries should be sorting contraception!

Original poster
LondonStone · 17/09/2020 13:00

Just this minute called another place (Imperial Hospital in central London) and was told I’m too far away, nothing they can do. Fifth place I’ve tried now, not giving up but feeling fed up. Sad

OP posts:
xtinak · 17/09/2020 13:01

I am so shocked to read these stories!

1978vintage · 17/09/2020 13:05

that’s nonsense, implant training is to put them in and take them out!

Actually i don't think that is nonsense, when i've had mine done i had to stipulate on the appointment phonecall whether it was a removal or e.g. a replacement.

Becasue they have more staff who can simply remove (BUT not insert). So if you need an insert appointment, you only have a smaller number of staff to get an appointment from.

That is a major city sexual health clinic, but not London.

I don't know if it's standard, but it's definitely been the case in all the years i've been using the implant from that sexual health centre (I gave up trying to access similar services at the GP and just have to take a whole day of annual leave to deal with it at a major nearby city).

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 17/09/2020 13:13

Complain about this! Tell them you've withdrawn consent to this treatment but they are forcing you to endure it.

Falafelflumps · 17/09/2020 13:13

I agree this is really rubbish. Would second trying sexual health clinics perhaps. I think all GP surgeries operate so differently in normal times, and these difference are also playing out now.

I did manage to get my coil removed by the GP last week. But it was somewhat irritating that, despite explaining to reception what I wanted the appointment for, I still had to have a phone consultation with the GP first to check whether I needed a face to face appointment! I'm sure coil removal by telepathy will be available one day... but it isn't just yet!

I'm also p*ssed that my dentist still hasn't reopened. Just whack on some decent ppe and crack on! (not wishing to be facetious as I totally understand some people's personal circumstances mean it's too risky, and that ppe is no fun (I have worked in covid ICUs in full ppe myself) but I am firmly in the "we can't carry on like this" camp now).

StillCounting123 · 17/09/2020 13:15

Not sure about female contraception, but here in NI the vasectomy clinic is reopening this week - know that as a relative works there.

I had a smear test in June at my GP surgery in NI.

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel · 17/09/2020 13:17

Could you say its causing you pain? Not that you should have to lie but I just wondered if it might get you what you want.

Jackparlabane · 17/09/2020 13:18

It's not just Covid. Services weren't available to remove or fit coils beforehand.
I'm in London, my local GP practice no longer has anyone qualified to fit coils (and never had anyone to remove them). To get a coil fitted at the local sexual health clinic requires going online at precisely noon on a Friday and praying there's a slot left as they go within five minutes.

And that was last year. It took me, a motivated educated woman who can mostly control working hours so as to be free at noon on Fridays, four months to get an appointment. Just as well my husband isn't a rapist!

At least once there I could get a 10-year coil so I never have to deal with it again, and I let a trainee at me for an hour so there will be one more trained doc in future, but this isn't the fault of Covid response - it's a long term systemic non-prioritising of contraceptive services.

The system is a bit better if you're under 25, but only because it's funded and also

CoronaBollox · 17/09/2020 13:23

Like PP have said, it isn't a new thing unfortunately. My implant expired and I spoke to my GP about getting it replaced, they said they do not do it anymore so i have to ring my local Sexual health clinic. Fine, none in my area could do it for at least a month only emergencies etc. Had to ring on a specific day to try and get an appointment. Took me around 3 months to be seen.

In the end I had to travel quite far to a clinic who would remove it, I wasn't given a time either I just had to turn up at opening and wait to be seen. Was a fun 4 hours.

ItsJustASimpleLine · 17/09/2020 13:34

After reading on here the problems people have had I would never let them put something in my body I couldn't choose to have removed.

Its a awful experience and will effect your mental health, hopefully it will be solved soon and not be too bad but having to hunt around for help to get a implant removed that they put in is madness.

Best of luck OP.

dollyknocker · 17/09/2020 13:34

Like a PP said, the previous thread on this persuaded me not to get an implant or coil fitted! I was due a coil fitting in March which was obviously cancelled due to Covid and I then had an absolute nightmare on the pill, but at least I could just stop taking that. If I bled with the coil like I did with the pill, and then had to wait months for removal, I dont know what I'd do.

Now back to condoms and hoping for the best. It's an absolute joke.

Baaaahhhhh · 17/09/2020 13:37

Isn't it absolute nonsense that private clinics will fulfill services, but NHS won't. Often with the same staff, just different locations.

DM just had a "vaginal device" put in, and then a few weeks later, removed, as it was causing her issues, during lockdown, and just after. Privately at the local Nuffield, by an NHS Gynae consultant Hmm

Funkypolar · 17/09/2020 13:43

They are very keen to fit these devices aren’t they and then they refuse to remove them!

GoldenNCurly · 17/09/2020 13:45

I recently had my IUD removed. There was a two week wait as emergency and expired contraception took priority and I was just going back on the pill.
I'm shocked they won't remove your implant, especially when it is expired.
I'm in the North East btw

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 17/09/2020 13:45

@Funkypolar

They are very keen to fit these devices aren’t they and then they refuse to remove them!
Yes, VERY keen to fit them.
Original poster
LondonStone · 17/09/2020 13:46

Thanks so much for all the advice and comments, I’ve read everything and really appreciate it.

It’s nice to have the lovely people of Mumsnet in these times, you’ve made me feel like actually this is a big deal for me and I’m not being stupid for wanting it removed.

OP posts:
1990s · 17/09/2020 13:49

You're 100% not being stupid, it's a women's rights issue. As PPs have said they are forcing you to continue medication/treatment you don't want.

I am also so confused by this lack of services. I've heard others say they can't get to the dentist, my private dentist has been back for months.

Privately implants can be removed but not in GP services? Madness. If it's about availability of staff, TELL us that.

CleanQueen123 · 17/09/2020 13:54

They're awful at taking them out. I had one put in when I was 21, within weeks I'd broken out in hideous cystic acne and asked for it to be removed.

They refused and prescribed me the pill on top of the implant to resolve my skin. That didn't work and it took a year of me arguing with them to get them to take it out.

8 years later and my skin is still awful. So bad in fact that I pick up my Roaccutane prescription on Monday.

bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 17/09/2020 13:58

Google women’s health clinics if you’re wanting to go private some do contraception think it’s approx £250 for a consultation