AIBU about the lack of NHS [contraception] services

[LondonStone]

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.)

Hi all! Just to let you know a lovely Mumsnetter recommended somewhere and I have an appointment next week! It is private but reasonably priced (less than my original budget of £200 anyway) and I’m considering this lesson learned.

A PP pretty much summed it up when they said they will never agree to any conception method that they don't control themselves. I definitely feel that way now.

One trial of the male pill, cancelled because the men reported negative side effects.

Yeah, the exact same ones we get! Headaches, weight gain, depression... but it's okay for women to put up with those!

I had a positive experience on Roaccuntane as well. I did also get dry mouth and had to swab my nostrils and the insides of my ears with Vaseline. I used Blistex on my lips. For my body skin, Astral. Best to start it in Autumn/Winter, too, less sun.

@Sparklfairy

One trial of the male pill, cancelled because the men reported negative side effects.

Yeah, the exact same ones we get! Headaches, weight gain, depression... but it's okay for women to put up with those!

Loss of libido. A crisis for men, but women are fobbed off, told 'it will settle' blah blah blah. The Mirena killed off my sex drive cold. I mean, slayed it.

Loss of libido. A crisis for men

Breach of their human rights isn't it?

YANBU

I’m also in Essex and after ~12 happy years with an implant I wanted it removed, but no replacement.

It was like getting water out of a stone. In the end I booked in to have a “replacement” at a GUM clinic since I read these were easier to get, and at the last minute announced I didn’t want a new one put in.

I then mentioned this to the nurse at my GP and she was horrified and asked why I hadn’t asked at the GP practice. When I wanted it replaced previously it wasn’t a service they offered so it hadn’t occurred to me

Thanks for the advice @UserABCDE12345 and @Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd. Fingers crossed it works for me!

Fucking terrible, that a woman's consent and agency over her own body is an aside.

@CleanQueen123

Thanks for the advice *@UserABCDE12345 and @Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd*. Fingers crossed it works for me!

Do give it a try but READ the leaflet that comes with the medication thoroughly and just prepare. If you are vegan, there are many Vaseline type salves out there that are great for swabbing in the nostrils and ears (Alba makes something called Un-petroleum jelly) and you'll drink LOTS of water. Again best to start in Autumn/Winter as less sunlight but ask your dermatologist for sunscreen recommendations. I used UltraSun, a Swiss brand. Bombproof contraception backed up with condoms every time if you are sexually active.

It changed my life. I developed cystic acne after coming off the combined pill. No PCOS, no insulin resistance, just came out with it. And nothing else worked.

Oddly enough, Mirena made me start breaking out again (on top of eliminating my libido, sinking my mood and making me bleed constantly even with top up hormones to stop it). I was using it for contraception, not for treatment of heavy periods and man, it worked a treat in that respect!

I have had to use Differin/adapaline since until I went into menopause.

Some links people on this thread may find interesting

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3402449-Aibu-to-ask-you-to-tell-me-your-experiences-of-being-dismissed-by-medics-as-a-sick-woman-I-promise-to-listenn_
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https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womenss_rights/4023795-GP-cash-incentive-to-promote-long-acting-contraceptives

They’re paid to insert them...but it costs them to remove them especially if done so before they “expire”

Mirena lawsuits reports

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.huffingtonpost.ca/amp/2019/03/01/iud-problems-women-quebec-mirena-copperaa_23679731/

https://rewire.news/article/2018/12/04/hundreds-of-patients-are-claiming-the-mirena-iud-causes-a-neurological-disorder-but-experts-say-more-research-is-needed/

Just a couple there’s loads

Never had one, never will but had the hard sell on MULTIPLE occasions DESPITE my gynaecologist saying the coil is contraindicated in my case!

It’s a national, well worldwide scandal imo.

Here I can see it becoming a scandal that exceeds the mesh scandal they’re currently having to deal with - yet have apparently learned NOTHING From!

They really need to start listening to women patients and serving them better.

Stupid really as contraception costs the government significantly less than a child does. actually I suspect that is partly WHY this is happening.

Because the govt considers women unworthy and incapable of having agency over their own conception/contraception choices - as perfectly evidenced by one of the responses noted about it being “irresponsible” to ttc now.

Men would never be expected to put up with this shit. One trial of the male pill, cancelled because the men reported negative side effects. MINOR Side effects too - some minor headaches and skin irritation, low mood, reduced libido iirc!

I’m actually surprised they are still running abortion services and not just making women give birth. see the comments re cost - an abortion is cheaper than funding a child to adulthood - it’s all about money!

I booked in to have a “replacement” at a GUM clinic since I read these were easier to get, and at the last minute announced I didn’t want a new one put in. I was going to suggest doing this - bet the appointments would miraculously be available - PROVING that they’re lying!

Thanks @Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd. I was amazed at the volume of literature that gets sent out once they've agreed to prescribe it to you.

I've had some good product recommendations on the Style and Beauty board so I've got plenty of things to try once I start taking it.

You are definitely not unreasonable. We should be able to decide if we want or don't want something in our bodies.

I got mine in early last year, was sent to local GP clinic to put it in. When the local wore off, I knew there was something wrong as everytime my arm touched my body at all I was getting an electric like stab of pain. I contacted the GP as first port of call, they didn't deal with it but the clinic wouldn't see me without going through them first. Then the clinic wouldn't see me as my "3 years wasn't up" and it was just my body getting used to a foreign object.

After a week in pain, I took photos and emailed the CASH clinic in desperation, there was a lump of pus and implant was bulging out. GP from the clinic rang hours after my email apologising that she didn't have an appointment for 2 days but she wanted to see me.

I took the appointment where she looked at my arm, asked who put it in and agreed to remove, the stream of pus hit the ceiling. I spent the next weeks on antibiotics..3 courses.

I asked her to put another one in while I was there as I have other medical reasons I need it and she put on my notes that I am a priority case whenever I come back to get it removed/ changed. It was put in and I have absolutely no problem with the site as soon as the local wore off. It is about a cm away from the infection so I was expecting a bit of pain.

I thought it was normal that it took 15/20 minutes and 2 people to remove them with bleeding and alot of bruising. She then asked me, didn't I remove one for you back in approx 2011. Yes, she actually remembered me based on the difficulties getting it out as like a PP I tend to absorb them and was appalled at the local GP level who wouldn't even see me with an obvious infection.

Ive had friends who had to threaten to remove them too before they was listened too.

I’m pregnant and when I rang my surgery to make an appointment, the receptionist said I could self refer to abortion services. I pointed out that this was a planned baby and was very much wanted and the woman said it wasn’t sensible to be having a baby in a pandemic!

I was so angry, who is a receptionist (or anybody) to tell women they shouldn’t be having babies. I put in a complaint.

Ten years ago mine did not agree with me from the day it was put in. I put on two stone and went up two bra sizes, constantly bleeding, moody and irritable.

18 months of back and forth to the doctor before they agreed to remove it. Never. Again.

I struggled to get mine removed a few years ago. I was really suffering with migraines and I struggled find anywhere to take it out within a reasonable timescale. In the end I told the local family planning clinic that I would take it out myself, film it and post it on YouTube. They removed it within 3 days.

FunkyPolar thats awful, glad you've made a complaint would be interested to hear what they say

Congrats on your pregnancy

I've been hearing these stories for ages. We need to start campaigning for the right to remove with a specific deadline.

The inequality in the delivery of NHS services is really awful. I’m such a cheerleader of the NHS and have had no impact to my ability to access care. It’s not fair. The only thing I’ve not had is any visitors from a health visitor after my first child was born. I had one phone call, which got cut off at the point of the PND questionnaire and she didn’t call back and I didn’t have a number to return the call.
I had a smear test, they looked after my baby for me while they did it and I got my results quickly. I’ve accessed contraception and appointments have been over the phone but same day.
There’s a plentiful supply of private medicine in your area. I can’t make a recommendation but I hope you find one.