Thinking doctor should accept that I don't want the IUD

[Popcornn]

I've been having heavy irregular bleeding for almost 2 years. I've been going through the process of getting things checked out and during that time the doctor kept pushing me to have the IUD. I've said no multiple times and explained why I am not comfortable. I've been willing to have other hormonal treatments but due to things that have happened to me in the past I am not comfortable having something put in my body that I can't remove myself. It might seem really stupid but I can't do it.

I have now been told that a biopsy showed I have abnormal cells in my uterus and I need to take high dose progesterone and have another biopsy in 8 weeks. She then wants me to have the IUD. She admit that I also had the option of continuing the progesterone but would prefer I had the IUD "despite my reservations".

I have clearly expressed why this is such a difficult thing to me and I've made my boundaries clear around this. The medical procedures are traumatic enough. Am I being unreasonable expecting the doctor to accept that I've said no?

Surely she has explained to you what her reasoning is and why the IUD option is preferable over the progesterone?

You have the right to make an informed choice, even if it is not the doctors first choice of treatment!
I have had a similar experience of being told a Mirena coil would be ideal. I also had a history of trauma and the thought of it made me feel physically ill. Eventually my gynaecologist wrote ‘will not countenance a coil’ and the pressure stopped.
Stick to your guns, I’m cross that we still have to fight for autonomy over our own bodies.

It's entirely your decision which they should accept, you should also accept by rejecting this highly effective treatment you are limiting what options are left for treatment.

of course you have the right and a very understandable reason to say no...tbh you are still in the midst of uncertainty anyway whilst you await your next biopsy so its quite logical to wait for that to happen first before having another procedure or another discussion.

I'd make her explain herself for pushing this onto you. Is it because you get more stable progesterone levels with the coil or the fact that your levels would need to be more monitored if you were to take the tablets?
I agree with people that this is your body and you can say no to any procedure. It's also important to note what the long-term consequences are for each treatment as your health, mental and physical is equally important.
You don't want to be worse off in the future having to go other kinds of invasive treatment.

Sending hugs, not an easy decision

Tell them you don't want it for religious reasons, that was the only way I got them to back off

This time her reason for suggesting it this time was that I will likely have to continue taking the progesterone for 6-12 months minimum after my biopsy and that the IUD is more direct so there's less side effects than oral progesterone. I understand why it may be better for some women, and I understand the pros and cons. But I've been clear and consistent that it don't want it.

Even today when trying to chase a letter that hasn't arrived, the lady I spoke to said "I just want to remind you that Dr X strongly recommends you get the IUD. So please could you have another think over the next few weeks"

I don't understand the persistence when other equally effective options are available and I've said no.

Agree that this is the sure way to stop the doctor forcing this on you. I’ve had the iud recommended to the point of almost being made to have this device. There are medications you can take instead.

If there is a clear medical reason why it’s better for you to have an iud, then she’d be failing in her job if she didn’t make sure you understand why she thinks you need it.

Sounds like we have the same GP, had the same issue for 2 years, eventually I managed to get a gyne to agree to ablation instead, sadly it didn’t work and now I am out of options (can’t have a IUD fitted) but I am glad it stopped the GP trying to force it on me. Stand your ground, no one should be forced to have something they don’t want.

Send her a letter saying you don’t want it and feel like you are being pressurised by everyone even the receptionist.

state you have made a informed choice and that you are able to do so

state you do not want it or the risks associated with it

ask for the letter to be put with your records

It used to be GP got cash incentives for IUDs inserted (I might be wrong) so easy money for them if this is the case

The clear medical reason is that the mirena may save your life and prevent a hysterectomy. It’s better than the progesterone tablets at thinning the lining, which as you know is a risk for endometrial cancer. But if you don’t want it, you don’t want it, which is your choice.

I’ve just been through this process and am a week past my total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy.

They love to push the marina iud. Almost every woman I know has been pushed at every appointment. I have the copper coil as I wanted hormone free. They pushed and pushed for marina right until she was about to insert the copper one saying I will get hea ier periods and it would be horrific. I had done my research I knew what could happen and said so. She finally caved and gave me the copper one and said she wouldn't be surprised if she sees me back to change it. That was a year ago. Best decision I ever made. I am less bloated, less emotional, less spots, have lost weight since ditching hormones. Yes they where heavy but the last 4 months they are just normal periods now.

You know what it right for you. Advocate and just be firm. I knew what was right for me. Listen to yourself and just say I'm not changing my mind.

Although to be fair in your situation i don't know if marina would be better for thinning the lining.

YANBU. It is your choice. The doctor can suggest/advise but should accept your decision!

Different reasons but my surgery kept trying to push me into having a coil. I calmly explained, on multiple occasions, that due to birth trauma, I didn't want one.

They kept on pestering until I finally snapped at one appointment, told them very bluntly that I was absolutely not having a coil fitted and if it was mentioned again, I would make a complaint.

Probably not my finest hour 🤦‍♀️ but they haven't asked since!

Well ask them to do it under anaesthesia. That way you will not feel anything or they might stop pestering you. Mirena is a good option but only have it if you are comfortable getting it. I had it under general anaesthesia and never felt a thing.

I refused & after nearly 2 years on norethisterone had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, best thing I ever did, only in hospital overnight & felt normal straight away, no PMT. Ask for a choose & book referral to a gynacologist at your nearest private hospital.

Is this true? Makes sense if it is, I always wondered why they all push it so much.

I wouldn’t have it either.

Not trying to change your mind but I had a mirena and had enormous trouble getting it inserted - a highly experienced gynaecologist had to send me to a colleague who finally managed to insert it. (Apparently I have a thick and unyielding cervix and this is unusual so unlikely to be you!) Once I had it I didn't like the side effects and chose to have it removed. The one good thing about it was that it took one tug by the specialist and it was out. I kept saying was that it!

Obviously you aren't going to be tugging it out yourself but removal was very quick and easy in my experience.

In the end I had an ablation which solved the problem completely though to be fair they discovered a polyp which failed to show up on the scan I had and which they thought was the real cause of my problems. They removed it and did the ablation. Several of my friends had ablations as well and everybody was very happy with the results.

Your body, your choice.
I wouldn't have had it, as a younger woman.