is it normal for GPs to be unpleasant when you ask for emergency contraception?

[reguserdiffname]

I spent the best part of hour crying after visiting a GP at a walk-in centre this morning. Was with DH the other night and the condom split. I am right in the middle of my cycle so spoke to a pharmacist who referred me to the walk-in centre.
The GP asked me why I wasn't on the pill. I explained that I was on the mini-pill but it gave me horrendous bleeding. So then she asked me why DH hadn't had a vasectomy. I told her he'd researched and wasn't happy with the risks of complications. She then said I should try the Mirena coil. I told her I couldn't take that because of my migraine history.
She went on to berate me for relying on condoms and said that, as I was 40 and didn't want any more children I should accept sole responsibility for contraception.

Is this normal? Be gentle please!

Heaven help the person who approaches her wanting a termination.

We took the decision as dh did not mind having it done as I had had the children and been on the pill for years, the actual procedure was fine for him but the discomfort was worrying him in case it was something else, now he knows it's just recovery from the vasectomy he is ok, it just niggles at times. Op the gp really didn't have to be like that with you hope you are ok.

Thistle Thank you. I feel much better now. DH just feels it isn't the right choice for him...will make a complaint though. If she can affect someone like me in that way, I really for anyone in a more vulnerable state of mind.

I used condoms for 7 years with no problems at all. It is a perfectly valid method of contraception. Isnt the main reason for their 'failure' people forgetting to put one on???

Have you thought of using a cap, OP? We used this method for around 20 years with no problems and no mishaps. Now past the menopause so no need any more :)

Thanks for replying. Gurl I have to confess - one of the main attractions of condoms for me is less mess - grim, I know.
However, after seeing me so upset the other day, dh has been doing some research into vasectomies and wants to go and talk to our GP soon to discuss it further. He's even looked into getting it done privately if there's a long waiting list...

I must admit that the cap was a bit awkward & messy at first, but I soon got used to it and found it easy in the end. But then I did use it for years and years! I preferred to be in control of contraception myself but couldn't stay on the pill as it gave me humungous migraines.

That does sound like good news though if your DH is now thinking more positively about a vasectomy. Good luck!

Not sure why condoms are getting such a bad rap on here, and from a GP no less - the NHS website states they are 98% effective when used properly. 'Properly' to me means - put on before penis gets anywhere near vagina, put on the right way out, and taken off immediately after ejaculation, used every time!

Two condoms splitting in 18 months is really bad luck... used them for years and never had a split...

And yes complain about your treatment. Condoms are a legitimate contraceptive choice.