I really want my coil removed but feel guilty and scared to ask

[Goldenfan]

Hi

Its pathetic to be worried about this I know.

I want my coil removed for various reasons. I'm a size 10 in clothes, exercise and eat well but I have a huge tummy and look 6 months pregnant and I can't see a cause other than the coil. I also suffer low libido. I have headaches everyday and often migraines and again this started when I got the coil and I have suffered hormone related migraine in the past so it fits.

However, the main reason is wanting to ttc our third child in the new year.

I have had 2 coils and I don't mind them as contraception. I conceived my first child on the pill while taking it religiously so its been good to have something so effective.

I just feel so reluctant to ask for this. My doctors seem to hate taking them out early. I have had it 3.5 years and it's a 5 year one. They seem really abrupt when I asked for my previous one removed when we were wanting to ttc baby 2 and I had constant pelvic inflammatory disease while the coil was in.

My GP are only doing urgent face to face appointments. This is not urgent and I feel guilty asking for this and taking up time that could be used for someone suffering an illness.

Aibu to ask. Should I wait until next year when hopefully things are better in terms of the pandemic. At the moment when I try to ring the GP there is a long wait on the phone and a message saying they are incredibly busy.

I'm a grown woman and I'm worried about this which is silly.

Definitely ask the doctor. No it isn't an emergency but that doesn't mean you should be stuck with constant headaches, low libido & the bloating.

There were lots of comments on a thread about pain relief during women's procedures from women who took their own (both accidentally & deliberately) out which you may feel brave enough to try 😲

OP - nicely - give your head a wobble. You want to ttc. What if you leave it and then can't?

Also, think of it like this - you have to have an unpleasant conversation, and that is the price of no more migraines and getting DC3. Isn't that worth it?

If they are difficult, see if there is a local family planning clinic.

Definitely get it out!

I have heard of people having issues with GPs taking them out so try a GUM clinic of you do.

Ask if that's what you want to do. A phone appointment to talk to GP first and then an appointment to have it removed. :-)

@SquashMinusIsShit i have considered trying to take it out but I'm too much of a wuss unfortunately.

It is your body and your health. I had mine removed early as I was having horrendous mood swings with it and I have never regretted that decision, despite the tut-tutting I got from my GP about it.

That said, I know what you mean about GPs being overloaded at present, I'm holding off on pestering mine about a couple of minor things for that reason (also because I always drag my feet about medical appointments ...). But migraines are not something minor IMO! That's got to be affecting your day to day functioning, surely.

Of course you should get it taken out if its causing you problems! Why do you feel so unimportant that you should have to put up with another 18 months of bloating, daily headaches, regular migraine and low libido and have to wait an extra year and a half to ttc just to avoid potentially possibly mildly annoying a GP (who wouldn't be being very professional if they didn't listen to a patient's valid concerns or if they were eye rolly with you on hearing them)?

You can bet that if you're self effacing enough to suffer for another 18 months to save the appointment for someone else there'll be plenty of people willing to take that appointment for things having far less negative impact on their lives than even "just" the daily headaches you're considering putting up with.

I'm just waiting for mine to be taken out- I've found if you say your ttc then there's no problem at all- they just write that in your notes

Go to the GUM clinic

If your GP can’t do it then your local Sexual Health Clinic should be able to. They did a coil change for me once.

@PRsecrets its the Mirena

Yes would go with local Sexual Health Clinic. Though due to cuts some only do under sixteens now. Check the website.

I took my own out as I knew and had heard of painful removals and I always tense up when I have examinations. Glass of wine, gently and put in plastic bag sealed at top to show them if you encounter any issues.

It really wasn't difficult though I understand not NHS recommended to do it that way. Still it worked for me.

It was a Mirena coil, not worth headaches etc.

I would be wary of removing it yourself TBH. There have been recent threads about this and pain relief may be needed ,plus infection risks.Please contact your Doctor or Gum clinic ASAP!

Omg I wouldn't remove it myself! Had mine taken out by the nurse at the surgery a week ago, took seconds.

Thirding the suggestion of getting it removed at a Sexual Health Clinic rather than at your GP.

If you tell them you want to try for a baby they will take it out without much fuss (which is wrong of course! You should be able to have it out for any reason at any time with no drama). As other say if you have no luck with the GP try a sexual health clinic. Be firm, be assertive and do not back down.

I had mine removed after a year to TTC. They had no issue with it whatsoever.

I’m removing mine next week (once I’m mid-way through this period) and not having another fitted.

Mines been in 5 years and I have intense ovulation pain and bloating which I also had without it but I just don’t want to go through the pain of having another fitted frankly.

OP this is YOUR body, your fertility and your choice. Your needs are just as important as anyone else’s. Do NOT feel guilty, and tell anyone that makes you feel that way to fuck off.

Please do not feel guilty at all. It is your body and you no longer want this to be in it. You are within your rights to have it removed.

Even if you weren't wanting TTC you should not have to put up with those side effects from it.

A GP will be used to long term contraception no longer being needed and should hopefully book in no issue. However, some can be slightly awkward at times and attempt to encourage for it to be left in same with the implant which has put some people I know off having them to begin with.

I would call and say you would like to book an appointment to have coil removed. If asked why then state that it isn't agreeing with you at all and the side effects are having a knock on effect day to day. If you want to say you're planning on TTC then add that in also.

If it is a long wait for an appointment then it could be worth calling your local sexual health clinic. Sometimes they have a long waiting list but I would imagine easier there if doctor is going to want it kept in longer and make you feel awkward.

Even if pressure is put on you to keep it in, you want to try again so you need it out and why should you wait longer to do that. It would also be a relief to be free of the side effects

Do not feel guilty . It is your right to have it out when you want !

Ring sexual health and book appointments