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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s ridiculous I have to have a phone consultation with my doctor before I am allowed to get my implant removed?

72 replies

Hippopotas · 07/09/2021 12:58

I got told I had to speak to the doctor first to discuss other contraception before I would be allowed to book an appointment to get the implant removed.

It’s a 2 week wait for this phone call and if I wanted alternative methods of contraception maybe I could understand it but as it’s to start TTC it’s a waste of time.

I’m just frustrated as I thought it was my body my decision. sigh

OP posts:
OurChristmasMiracle · 07/09/2021 19:21

I don’t think the issues around getting the implant and coil removed help doctors “sell” it to patients. Realistically on all the leaflets it is listed as long term but being able to be taken out at any point but in reality this is refused.

I actually don’t think any woman should have to justify why she wants it removed from them, it’s not like doctors called women on the pill to find out why they haven’t renewed their prescription is it?

Angelmonkey · 07/09/2021 19:22

At my surgery you have a phone call first to talk through options, so the go knows exactly what is needed. They then book into a clinic for removal (and re-inserting if wanted). Clinics are run with a gp and a nurse, so are only done twice a month. Phone calls beforehand, although frustrating to wait for, are routine and part of the process

InpatientGardener · 07/09/2021 19:22

My GP tried to harass me into having the coil when I wanted to stop hormonal contraception. I took great pleasure in asking her how exactly that might work for me as a woman with uterus didelphys, meaning I have two wombs and two cervices. That was the last she had to say about it, unsurprisingly.

romdowa · 07/09/2021 19:36

I had this problem 2 years ago. My gp wouldn't remove it as it hadn't expired , neither would sexual health clinic . I even tried to pay privately. Eventually I had to change gp and lie that I wanted to start ttc. When in reality it was making me unwell.

ComDummings · 07/09/2021 19:39

Tell them you want to try for a baby. You shouldn’t have to say that but that seems to be the only way they’re helpful

SeoultoSeoul · 07/09/2021 19:56

@ManifestDestinee

To be honest this is the kind of thing I think we should be paying for, and then you could get them in and out as you wanted.
This.
HermioneGrunger · 07/09/2021 20:04

I was harangued in to getting a Mirena coil, they sold it to me as all singing all dancing. It was the worst decision ever and I requested they remove it. I was told I shouldn't be wasting such an expensive form of contraception I'd had for free, the continual brown bleeding and BV were things I should suffer with apparently.

It's our bodies they are controlling,I'm fed up with it.

Puppymania · 07/09/2021 20:06

Mine is due for removal, it expires in September. I still had to wait to speak to someone on the phone to discuss the fact it is expiring soon. I am now on a waiting list for removal, I got the impression it would be a while due to, you know, Covid. Apparently my 3 year implant is now licenced for 4 years, which is a stroke of luck as I think I will have it that long. I'm 53, I was told I would need another one. I'm not going to bother, I just want to get this one out.

Nandocushion · 07/09/2021 20:09

@ManifestDestinee

To be honest this is the kind of thing I think we should be paying for, and then you could get them in and out as you wanted.
I wonder if this is the reason that there seems to be a blanket policy of having a consult before them doing it? Idk about the copper coil or implant but the Mirena is really expensive, and I do see on here many women complaining that they wanted it back out after 2, 3, 4 weeks instead of giving it more time. I had several done in the US and my cost for just the Mirena unit, not including insertion, was close to $1k - I think my insurance covered part of it but not all. If the NHS is paying something approaching that cost only to have to remove it after a few weeks because there were a few side effects, I can see them wanting to discourage this.
Anon359 · 07/09/2021 20:09

@ManifestDestinee
The only sensible comment on this thread so far imo

Firstly, you should read about the side effects before having it put in. They are expensive hence why they want you to persevere. Looking online it's about £250 so I can understand why they don't want to fling it out on a whim.
Secondly it's normal to use pills on top of the coil for irregular bleeding. It's in the guidelines which have been created by specialists.

Honestly this is the problem with the NHS. The amount of entitlement because the service is free at the point of need. And before someone moans about paying for it through taxes/NI, if you've had a coil put it the of £80-150 per year paid to Ur GP has well been used up!

GP services need to be privatised. I think the service would be better as more people would actually think twice

pianolessons1 · 07/09/2021 20:14

I take out implants. I need a conversation first to find out

  1. why you want it out - if it's a side effect, there may be other options to manage that and you can't make an informed decision if you don't know the options
  2. discuss other contraception if you want it out for any other reason than to TTC
  3. arrange when you want it out and let you know if there will be a gap if you're starting another method.

A two week wait for a non urgent phone call is perfectly reasonable from the NHS.

FranklinFluffy · 07/09/2021 20:15

Whether it's right or wrong to want them out on a whim, you shouldn't be forced to have something in your body you do not want there.

When I had the implant I was told I may have "spotting" between periods. I bled like a period the entire 12 months I had it in. It was horrid. They refused to removed it but yes I mithered them until they did and I don't feel bad about it.

ManifestDestinee · 07/09/2021 20:19

Whether it's right or wrong to want them out on a whim, you shouldn't be forced to have something in your body you do not want there

Well, you did choose to have it put there in the first place, you weren't forced. And you can pay privately to have it removed any time you like. You aren't being forced to have it, you're just not able to demand a professional service (the removal) for free the minute you want it.

WhatsTheBFD · 07/09/2021 20:21

Yeah let’s charge for contraception, that’ll really help low income women.

legoriakelne · 07/09/2021 20:21

@pianolessons1

I take out implants. I need a conversation first to find out
  1. why you want it out - if it's a side effect, there may be other options to manage that and you can't make an informed decision if you don't know the options
  2. discuss other contraception if you want it out for any other reason than to TTC
  3. arrange when you want it out and let you know if there will be a gap if you're starting another method.

A two week wait for a non urgent phone call is perfectly reasonable from the NHS.

Yes, but this explanation should be provided to the patient so that they are informed about why they are being managed this way.
legoriakelne · 07/09/2021 20:24

@ManifestDestinee

Whether it's right or wrong to want them out on a whim, you shouldn't be forced to have something in your body you do not want there

Well, you did choose to have it put there in the first place, you weren't forced. And you can pay privately to have it removed any time you like. You aren't being forced to have it, you're just not able to demand a professional service (the removal) for free the minute you want it.

The nature of consent means that you can also change your mind and withdraw it.

Like for instance if you thought you could tolerate the side effects as described but in reality have found that you cannot.

ManifestDestinee · 07/09/2021 20:26

@WhatsTheBFD

Yeah let’s charge for contraception, that’ll really help low income women.
We could charge the ones not on low income, and subsidise the ones who are. Didn't occur to you? Hmm
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 07/09/2021 20:26

I wanted mine out as I was bleeding around 20 days a month and was becoming very anemic. I can't use any tablet form of contraception and couldn't wait for ten days to see a doc.

I paid £150 to have it removed and go back on the injection at a private dentists. Best money I spent.

HermioneGrunger · 07/09/2021 20:31

@ManifestDestinee

Whether it's right or wrong to want them out on a whim, you shouldn't be forced to have something in your body you do not want there

Well, you did choose to have it put there in the first place, you weren't forced. And you can pay privately to have it removed any time you like. You aren't being forced to have it, you're just not able to demand a professional service (the removal) for free the minute you want it.

I didn't choose so much as I was pressurised.

Free contraception is essential to allow each and every woman choice and options. Without it can you imagine how much more abuse there would be?

longtompot · 07/09/2021 20:41

I had mine removed fairly quickly, though was pre covid times, due to migraines and their increased frequency.

My ed has had her first face to face appointment for allergy testing changed to a phone call Hmm Not sure how that will work.

Elieza · 07/09/2021 20:55

As if you need medical advice to remove it as you want to stop your contraception. It’s your business totally.

However some people are waiting longer for cancer scans so let’s just keep this in perspective. It could be worse. It’s only two weeks.

However I agree it should be your choice only. And I most certainly hope there won’t be a further two week wait for the procedure.

riotlady · 07/09/2021 20:56

Mine was due to be replaced in March, but they aren’t doing them at the moment at my doctors because of covid (I guess it’s “inessential”?). They told me it would “probably” be fine for 4 years, but I’m not keen on “probably” when it comes to contraception so I’ve been using condoms as well. Recently one split and I went to get the morning after pill… to be told the pharmacist couldn’t give it to me because I’ve got the bloody implant. I know she was just doing her job but it really felt like the NHS was conspiring to make contraception as difficult as bloody possible

rachelvbwho · 07/09/2021 20:58

I was told the same (but with a 3 week wait for the initial appointment) so I just went to my local GUM clinic (sexual health) anf got it removed there.. I had a 5 minute chat with a nurse and then waited another 10 minutes for the Dr to be free and he removed it no problem. They were really lovely and happy to help.

FreshApricot · 07/09/2021 21:00

And you can pay privately to have it removed any time you like.

Actually, in the UK, you often can't, because there is no private clinic anywhere nearby that will do it. I found this out the hard away.

And the NHS is not free.

rachelvbwho · 07/09/2021 21:04

@pianolessons1

I take out implants. I need a conversation first to find out
  1. why you want it out - if it's a side effect, there may be other options to manage that and you can't make an informed decision if you don't know the options
  2. discuss other contraception if you want it out for any other reason than to TTC
  3. arrange when you want it out and let you know if there will be a gap if you're starting another method.

A two week wait for a non urgent phone call is perfectly reasonable from the NHS.

I think an overall 2 week wait would be reasonable. But you know the OP will have a two week wait for this conversation and then another 2-4 wait for an appointment for it to be actually removed and ultimately that is quite a long time to have something in your body that you want removing so you can TTC.
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