GP appointment tonight - try yet another pill or ask about sterilization

[Northumberlandlass]

Ladies,
Bit of background - I'm 39 next week, married for 10 years, 1 DS (8). I did want more children but it just didn't happen for us. We have agreed that our family is now complete. I am completely comfortable with this.

So last year when we decided that we actually didn't want anymore children, I went back onto the pill. There was a lot of talk about the Mirena coil, which I am v unsure about.

I tried Cerazette for 3 month and turned into a loopy monster from hell, with the addition of spotting / heavy cramping.

Then the GP put me back on Microgynon (sp?) which was the pill I was on before DS, it had always suited me perfectly. The problem is I am now starting to spot (sometimes heavily) mid cycle and its more of an inconvenience.

I am really going off the idea of being on any kind of hormonal pills and have discussed getting sterilised with DH, he is happy with this, but I want to know how common it is these days and why it seems to be so actively discouraged (from what I've read).

So.. (sorry this has been long) - do any of you have any other suggestions ?

I think I may need to discuss options with GP, but I just want to be prepared.

TIA.
NL

1. would DH consider being sterilised instead? Its a much more minor procedure.
2. Mirena still has hormones. There are other IUDs.

I'm willing to bet a large amount of money that your GP will try to push the mirena or the implant on you so you'll need a good reason why you don't want to try one of them. You should also think about how you would feel if your life changed dramatically. If something happened to your DS or if you split up with your husband would you still not want another child? I know these aren't pleasant things to think about but I doubt you'll get a referral if your GP doesn't think you've thought it through properly. Your GP will probably also want to know why you want to get sterilised rather than your DH since it would be a much bigger operation for you. If your GP says no to a referral on the NHS it might just be a funding issue so ask if they'll write you a referral letter for Marie Stopes who charge about a grand for the surgery.

I've been though the initial consultation so if you've got any questions feel free to ask.

My sil is on mirena coil, no periods or weight gain. She's the gets pg at the drop of a hat type and hasnt had any more accidents terminations.

Hey, Sprinkles - DH does not want the snip, I am happy to.
Yes, I was aware that the Mirena coil has hormones. I just want this sorted without too much drama. The Cerazette experience scared me !

Thanks Queen, yes I am aware there will be lots of questions. I think i have read too much about the implant & Mirena coil and I've scared myself. Like I said above, the Cerazette experience really frightened me.

I do have private health through work, but would have to be referred from my GP.

NL

You should have a look at Essure. I got a very prompt reply from with a list of doctors in my area that do it. I'm having to wait ages to see if I can get it done because nobody in my PCT does it but since you're going private you probably won't have that problem.

You are right to avoid the implant if you don't get on with hormonal contraception. The mirena is a better bet as the levels of hormone are so small but there's no reason why you should have one if you don't want one.

Make sure you can answer the inevitable questions about why you, rather than your DH, want to be sterilised. We were in the opposite situation - I had the surgeon offer/recommend to sterilise me during my ELCS (another pregnancy would be very dangerous for me), which I refused - DH had the snip instead. We were asked to explain our reasoning. Was all on NHS though so you might not need to answer so many questions.

Thanks.
Actually Queen I had a look at Essure and was going to mention it tonight. I thought it looked v promising.

My private health is through work, so I'm not sure they will cover this. I will have to investigte further.

I'll report back, I'm very interested in why they would need my reasoning for DH not to have snip. It really doesn't have anything to do with them....
(although I won't be so antagonistic (sp?) tonight)

How did the appointment go?

Hi Queen, sorry I forgot to report back!

GP was really lovely. I decided not to go in saying that I wanted to be sterilised. Thought it would be best to just ask about my options.

GP said that I could try other combined pills, or the Mirena Coil. But if I didn't want to go down the 'hormonal' route, she said I could consider sterilisation. We talked it through & we decided to try another pill for 3 months to see if it was any better.

GP did try to push the Mirena Coil and I voiced my reservations. She did say that I could try that too after this pill & that if it didn't suit, she could just remove it.

Not sure I want to 'try' lots of different things, she has put me on the Yasmin pill for 3 months & I'll go back after that.

GP was lovely !