To think it's useless going to the GP about women's problems

[Mamabear04]

I've been having terrible PMS since having my second child and it's getting progressively worse to the point of when I have a heavy bleed all I want to do is climb back into bed and dissappear (I don't because I'm too busy so can't). I don't have any other MH problems, it's only when I have my period. I went to the GP today which was a huge step for me because I HATE going for women's problems. I'd read up on it and expected she would change me to the pill from the copper coil to sort out my hormones (I had the copper coil after my first child and the heavy periods settled after about 6 months and I felt really good with it). Instead she basically said she can give me antidepressants and if I wanted to change contraception I would have to make another 2 appointments with the advance nurse practitioner. The GP didn't even discuss the pill options which seemed so odd to me. I also had some blood tests done a few weeks ago but didn't hear anything back, she said my iron was low (under 50 whatever that means) but didn't want to prescribe me iron tablets? Oh and she let slip that the receptionist said my appointment was to do with the menopause even though I said over the phone while making the appointment that it was about menstrual problems(I am only in my mid 30s). AIBU to think going to the GP is actually pointless? I've had so many instances like this and I just feel so disheartened.

That's not my experience at all. Your GP sounds shit. Can you change to another one? I was totally listened to about mine, went through loads of options before hysterectomy was my final option as nothing else worked for me.

I honestly think it’s just pot luck depending on your GP! I struggled with my periods massively when I was in school and the GP just put me on the pill at 13, it didn’t really help anything so my mum & I went back numerous times over the years and just basically got “what do you want me to do about it, you’re already on the pill”. My GP changed when I was 20 and I ended up going back for something else but mentioned my period issues at the time and that GP was absolutely amazing, took lots of notes and immediately sent off a referral to gynae. I didn’t say or do anything differently, just a different GP. I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time x

I was completely shocked when a doctor at my 8 weeks postpartum check said there was no need for me to go on the contraceptive pill for as long as I was breastfeeding I’d be completely infertile! I asked to go an bf friendly pill anyway, just incase!

At 16, DD was told (by a female GP!) that heavy painful periods were totally normal and they'd get better after she had her first child. Unsurprisingly, she's been put off trying to speak to anyone about them since then.

It's shit.

I think to be fair to your GP, they are following the standard NHS path as in my experience it is nurses who deal with contraception. Actually, nurses can be a lot more knowledgeable than the doctors unless the GP has a special interest in women’s health. That aside, it’s not on that they make you feel like you’re being fobbed off and should be listening to you and I agree that generally GPs are not helpful with women’s health problems.

I have suffered with bad PMS since my first baby and I take antidepressants. The initial way they deal with MH side effects of PMS is to get you to take them during your luteal phase, but this doesn’t work for everyone. You can definitely ask for a different opinion and to see another doctor, I would ask for a referral to see gynaecology.

I think it varies tremendously. I was once told "don't worry it won't be forever" when I was struggling in my 40s, but the male GP I'm seeing about menopause has been brilliant.

I honestly can't believe this. Well done for persisting!

I get that but I was in an appointment with the GP after seeing the advanced nurse practitioner who I had mentioned my symptoms to and who had said "make an appointment to see a GP" (unrelated appointment - asthma, post flu, fatigue etc)

I'm glad women are being so supported with the menopause now. It gives me hope for 10 years time that someone might listen to me!

Some are brilliant and others are jobsworths.

You have to go prepared and persistent.

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Yanbu - they are particularly shit on women's health.

Women's outcomes are worse than those for men

I genuinely think it's pot luck.

I had issues with heavy and irregular periods in my twenties and my GP was nothing short of fantastic, but I've unfortunately heard lots of horror stories too.

I actually have an appt. this afternoon with an ANP to discuss potential perimenopause but I'm not overly optimistic due to my age.

I made an online request to my GP this morning for a referral to gynaecology to discuss my pelvic organ prolapse following childbirth. My GP practice is pretty dreadful and I don’t feel optimistic they can offer the knowledge and support I need hence the request straight for referral. After triage they notified me that non urgent requests will be dealt with in 2-3 weeks … very helpful when your internal organs are literally falling out your vagina!

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Could you go up to triage yourself? When I was post partum I had problems after being discharged from the community midwifes and just went straight there and asked to be seen and they were brilliant!

This is true, to a degree. If you are solely breast feeding then your body naturally stops ovulating, and this can be used as a form of birth control for the first 6 months post-delivery.

This is completely untrue. You are SO fertile after having a baby. They warn women about it in antenatal classes.

This isn't a universal truth though - it may work for some women but it's absolutely no guarantee.

It is pot luck, but in this case I'd have just booked to have the coil put in (it does take a couple of appointments) and cut the GP out altogether.

Then I'd have gone back if the coil made no difference.

Can you go to a local sexual health clinic and just make a coil appointment?

Yes but then I need to make an appointment to get put on the pill which was the whole point of going to the GP!

I’ve had mostly poor experiences with various GPs. One prescribed me an antidepressant for leg pain. The next GP I saw was utterly disgusted by that and prescribed me the proper
medication, however I found out later I should have had iron tests and that has never been offered to me. My latest GP couldn’t even pronounce my medication and was laughing about not even attempting. I feel a GP should be able to pronounce medication that I, a layperson, has no problem with.

I’ve found you have to do your own research and basically make your own decisions. I don’t remember the last time I saw a GP. It’s all nurses now. In your position, if you think it’s the coil, then I’d have just made an appointment to have it removed and researched my own pill options. I know that’s not how it’s meant to be but everything takes so long now, with multiple appointments, that it’s quicker to give up on getting advice and go straight for whatever you want.

Not just women’s problems IMO. The NHS is so much worse now.

Oh I see, I got it the wrong way around! I'd still have cut out the GP to be honest, nurse practitioners can prescribe the pill. I never see my GP for a pill review. It might be quicker next time, or try a dedicated sexual health clinic?

Well the only reason I went is because the advanced nurse practitioner suggested I make an appointment with a GP after saying it's not her area of expertise! Obviously the GP thinks she knows more!

I've just made an appointment to get my coil removed at a sexual health clinic and will go back to the nurse to get some kind of pill. If anyone else on MN wants to have a go a suggesting a pill then I'm open to it 😂

You are factually incorrect. Lactational amenorrhoea is just as effective as some forms of hormonal birth control if done correctly. However, just like other forms of birth control, if you do not adhere to the instructions correctly then it will fail. It doesn’t suit everyone and it is only temporary but it can and does work.
May I ask what kind of antenatal class you went to? I went to NCT classes and some of the incorrect information spouted by the person running it was criminal. Most of these people aren’t medical professionals, you shouldn’t rely on them for medical facts.

I believe I said this is true, TO A DEGREE