turned down for sterilization

[Rowgtfc72]

Just rang the doc as it had been three weeks since I asked to be sterilized and had heard nothing to be told Ive been turned down for funding the op.Going to see the doc Monday to find out exactly why but could any of you helpful people out there help me with my side of the argument.Im 40 got one dd (5) had gestational diabetes, am overweight, had forceps delivery and nothing went back right so dont want the coil. Also think the pill is responsible for unshiftable weight gain, loss of libido and general feeling of lethargy. Dh is 32,young enough to restart family if anything happens to us so the snip is a non-starter. Starting to get headaches on the pill but dont want to tell doc in case he takes me off it.Hence being sterilised. Condomns are a non-starter, we tried, and failed miserably. Any other suggestions would be great.Im desperate !

While at GP please ask for blood tests to get to the bottom of weight gain, lethargy and loss of libido. Thyroid problems are very common for example. Sorry, that's a bit off topic.

While at GP please ask for blood tests to get to the bottom of weight gain, lethargy and loss of libido. Thyroid problems are very common for example. Sorry, that's a bit off topic.

Thanks for reminding me. Had it done ten years ago and it was ok. Put it down to being older mum with lively kid or the pill but did wonder about my thyroid.

Why did you fail at condoms? Not that difficult surely??

Have never really used them, didnt know they came in different sizes and we went through three trying to work it out ! Idea of getting sterilized is that I dont want any more kids, personally, couldnt rely on condomn/us for it not to fail. Dont have that much spontanaity with lack of libido so dont think condomns will help with that.

Me and dh never used them either until I refused to back on the pill after having DD and now we use them its great, just use standard ones and make the putting on part of the warm up!

But I do see where you're coming from, have you looked into going private?

Cant afford private. Am annoyed that I have made a sensible decision to sort out contraception and am getting nowhere. Will have to see what doc says Monday ! Perhaps there is a good reason I dont know about .

The reason will be that you're too old for it to be financially worthwhile since you're only likely to need contraception for another 5-10 years anyway - the cost of that will not exceed the cost of the operation.

Did wonder about that too. Doc said I had maybe 5-10 yrs. Thing is he said it was a good idea to come off contraception so I knew when Id hit the menopause. Roll on Monday .

Went to see doc. Couldnt give me a reason for not getting PCT funding for op but gave me a number to ring to find out about appealing. Says he cant help more as hes not had to refer anyone before. Find that hard to believe.

That's terrible. Would a different gp surgery have a different outcome?

Pill gave me libido probs- my GP said some women just can't take the oestrogen. How about a non-hormonal coil?

I don't think you've exhausted your options...

What about the implant or the depot? Because they are only progesterone they may not cause ad much problem with weight gain etc.

If you are desperate another option would be natural family planning. You could buy a book (I think Toni weschler's 'Taking Charge Of Your Fertility' is excellent) and learn about your body's signs of when you're fertile and when you are not. You can abstain or use condoms if you are in your fertile phase. I used this really successfully for contraception for years but it does require a big commitment.

One final option is a diaphragm. They have massively gone out of fashion but you can get hold of them if you ask specifically. You have to be fitted once then you just put it in before sex then leave it in overnight and whip it out on the morning. I used to use one for my fertile days (we too hated condoms). If you have a mooncup a diaphragm is easy least

The point my GP and PCT seem to be missing is Im not looking for another form of contraception. We are done with having kids. 100 % sure. Hence sterilization. Surely they wont penalize us for making a well thought out and sensible decision.Will appeal tomorrow. Dont think another doc would make any difference as it would still be under the same PCT.

But when there are other forms of contraception, such as the implant or trying again with condoms, why should the NHS fund you being sterilised?

You could always ask for a gynae referral for very heavy and painful periods. If you're done with kids they'd do an endometrial ablation and could sterilise you at the same time. Seeing as they're in there the only extra expense is the plastic clips. Plus they probably want to sterilise you to make sure you don't get pregnant as its not safe after an ablation. You get sterilised and have lighter periods, result.

When I went to the gp aout my heavy periods they muttered about me having a coil first to see how that helped. I refused as ten years previously I'd tried oth types of coils which both made my periods worse. Gp tried to suggest the pill and again I refused due to weight gain, loss of libido, mood swings. Why pump yourself full of hormones if you don't need to?

I also reckon they'd fund your dh for a vasectomy. I know you said he's younger so may want to start again but it might be worth re thinking.

Do you think that it would be impossible for a coil to be inserted? If you asked for a Mirena and they couldnt fit it that may lend weight to your wish for a sterilisation. Or you could get a 10 year copper coil and then that would be your contraception worries over.

Coming round to the idea I may have to try copper coil. I suppose if I try and it doesnt work out it would give me more ammunition for getting sterilised. Ive heard bad reports of the coil which are putting me off yet I may be lucky and it goes ok. My periods arent light but theyre not heavy either. A coil for ten yrs would be the same as being sterilised-no more contraception worries. Vasectomy for dh is a no go. Hes only 32, I wouldnt ask him. Have written an e mail to appeal but bloody computer is refusing to send it so have to sort that issue first!

I suspect your PCT would fund the op for younger women with more dc who would be interpreted as being both more likely to fall pg and to have problems with that because of numbers of existing dc. I think you will have to explore the coil options.
I wouldn't recommed natural family planning if another baby would be a disaster. It's very good for people spacing their dcs or who don't mind if another turns up. It's no good if you absolutely do not want another. It's a big commitment and if you get it wrong you have big problems!

I have a copper coil and it is brilliant. I know that there are lots of horror stories about heavy bleeding etc, but I haven't experienced that (or any other side effects).

Thanks for all the advice ladies. The big thing is no more babies, the second is no more extra hormones.Think I will have to bite the bullet and try the coil.

Worth a try, surely, and if you get on OK with it, you save yourself all the hassle and risks of a general anaesthetic and a surgical procedure.

Fwiw I LOVE my mirena. The odd bit of spotting but nothing else since it was inserted. Good luck!

Musomathsci-my thoughts exactly !