Is it really so difficult to get long-term contraception?!

[Emmylou22]

Hi people

I was on Cerazette before I had my daughter (she's nearly 5). When she was about a year old, I went back on the pill. Except they put me on Cerelle. I was bleeding all the time so I stopped taking it and switched to condoms.

Fast-forward a bit... I split with my husband, in a new relationship and tried Cerelle again with the same bleeding issues. So I stopped after about 6 weeks. I want some long-term contraception (as condoms are costing me a fortune!!).

I went to the doctor and he suggested the coil or implant but said he can't fit them and I need to get it done at a family planning clinic. I went to a clinic to be greeted with a 2 hour wait and a 6 week queue for appointments. I guess my question is, is there anywhere else I can get a coil or implant fitted? Is this something my doctor should offer?

I'm also questioning if Cerelle is actually very different to Cerazette, as I had no problems with Cerazette before I had my daughter (no periods at all).

And if I did get an implant or coil, am I likely to have the same issues with constant bleeding?

Thanking you in anticipation!

Some gp practices fit them, Some don't. If they say you'll have to go to the family planning clinic then you do. Is there another one you can get to, that maybe has shorter wait times? Wait times for a coil will normally be longer as not everyone will be trained to fit them.

I don't know what the differences are (and don't know about those specifically), but as far as I know the different makes are different. So you would be reasonable to ask for the pill but not cerelle if that's what you would prefer.

I don't know what the chances are of constant bleeding, but it should be less likely as fewer hormones are released (less are needed as it's a constant flow). The copper coil would avoid this but your bleeding may be heavier/longer than you're used to.

Could you get the pill/injection from your gp to tide you over until you can get a coil/implant appointment?

It sure is! I’ve had could for past 17 years fitted at Gp no issue. Last one ( age 47) , GP had months worth of waiting list, local FPC had n9 appointments , was a joke. Ended up taking a day off work and going miles out of my way to get it fitted.
I’ve had a ‘lost ‘ coil as well and trying to get That sorted was also a joke. Ended up using extra contraception for months whilst I was struggling to sort an appointment.

I’m sure all of this palaver must lead to unplanned pregnancies !

I bled constantly on the copper coil too, And the implant ... would they not be able to give the injection sooner? It does last 3 months?

My understanding is that Cerelle and Cerazette are exactly the same, just different brands (like Advil/Nurofen, both are ibuprofen), it just be that your body is different since having your daughter.

Thanks all. @GlitterEverywhere - I thought that too. Bit annoying as I had no problems before! I'm thinking I'll give the injection a try until I can try something longer term. As I'm fairly sure my doctor does those.