Sterilisation not available on the NHS! WTF??

[BendyLikeBeckham]

GP told me she was emailed this week to tell her the NHS cannot offer female sterilsation unless there are exceptional circumstances .

I just want a permanent form of contraception please without hormones or a metal device shoved up me. I've had my kids and any more would be dangerous to my health.

FFS I'm so annoyed. Poxy Tory austerity cuts.

I guess maybe it's because the cost is a lot less if they're opening you up anyway velmasglasses!

I suspect this varies by trust, we definitely still do it in our trust ( I work in theatres). They will encourage men to get vasectomies rather than women get sterilisation for the reasons Piper said, however I do think there’s still justification for women to want to take that control for themselves.

If men want to protect themselves against pregnancy, they don't have choice but to avoid sex or have a vasectomy. A pregnant woman who doesn't want a child has no choice but to abort. Women have the luxury of choices of contraception. Not wanting something metallic is a choice but not one the NHS can afford.

Exceptional circumstances would be having tried and tested all contraceptives available and medical evidence of side effects that make life difficult.

I think it's a very reasonable policy considering how strapped the NHS is.

Yep I'm currently in agony because the only non hormonal option other than condoms is the copper coil. I am intolerant to all hormones now, I'm 40, have a 13yo, have had multiple abortions and miscarriages over the years, have some fairly bad health issues and take a ton of medications that would affect a foetus yet they won't sterilise me. So I either abstain until I go through the menopause or increase the already heavy and painful periods I have with the coil.

I was sterilised through the nhs in July this year so unless they've changed the rules since then

No offense but when you are told that a love one can't have a treatment that could really help them because it's been deem to economically expensive, then you stop having sympathy for people who expect he NHS to pay for things that would just make their lices easier.

They are different coils to try and even though they cause bleeding to start with, it normally subsides with time. If it means so much to you, why don't you save for one and get it privately just like many people have to do now for non essential treatment that means a lot to them.

No offense but when you are told that a love one can't have a treatment that could really help them because it's been deem to economically expensive, then you stop having sympathy for people who expect he NHS to pay for things that would just make their lices easier.

All your comment does is illustrate that you have little or no understanding of how NHS budgets work.

I was told the same, I'm paying privately for mine, just paid for it today. It was £3500 and I'm having the surgery done in 2 weeks time.

Out of curiosity I just googled the cost to have it done privately. It seems it costs between 2-3k, depending on the hospital

@swingofthings It's not a race to the bottom. If you or a loved one has been refused life impacting treatment you should be in solidarity with the OP, not against them. This is what the Tories want, us fighting amongst ourselves as to who is more (or less) worthy. What we should be doing is standing together and fighting against the cuts that affect all of us.

I had mine on the NHS last year.

Unfortunately though you do have to pay. No matter how much it aggrieves you.

I wonder what the cost would be if every woman over a certain age was offered free sterilisation? I would rather money be spent elsewhere on healthcare, personally.

I'd happily fork out the 3k if sterilisation meant so much to me. I would imagine most would.

The thing with the fuck off and put up with it attitude is that if a woman then conceives, the NHS will be on the hook for the costs of abortion or antenatal treatment. Providing people with contraceptive methods that suit and are acceptable to them saves money over the long term.

Bombardier the NHS can't afford it all, end off...and yes I happen to know exactly what I'm talking about.

I much prefer £2k to go towards life saving treatment than an intervention where there are cheaper options albeit not the one OP wants.

Everyone think their issue should be prioritised. Those with varicose veins, those whose breasts are asymetrical, those who hydrotherapy helps their pain. The NHS just can't fund it any longer because of the billions it needs to spend on diabetic related treatment amongst other mostly self inflicted illnesses.

yes I happen to know exactly what I'm talking about.

You don’t. Because budgets for different departments are just that, someone not having a breast reduction wouldn’t all of a sudden free up cash for cancer treatment.

Diabetes isn’t self inflicted.

How bad would be the health consequences if you became pregnant?

If they’d be seriously dangerous, and especially if abortion would be unusually difficult for you (eg you’re Northern Irish), then standard female sterilisation isn’t a sufficiently safe choice. In that case you require gold standard contraception like vasectomy (if your relationship status makes that appropriate), Mirena, or a more invasive (and dangerous and expensive) form of female sterilisation.

If Mirena or vasectomy really aren’t possible then yes sterilisation may be your best available choice, but you need to be aware that it is a risk and you may need to keep a ready supply of pregnancy tests and be prepared for a dash to Marie Stopes if you’re that unlucky 1/100. However your stated reasons against choosing Mirena don’t make it sound impossible.

Unfortunately being overweight or obese and a sedentary lifestyle will increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. I imagine that is what is meant by self-inflicted.

While it may not be the cause, poor lifestyle choices are significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes and a multitude of illnesses.

HereIgoagainxx I’m aware of that, what you’ve written is a fact. Blanket statements that diabetes is self inflicted is not fact.

Mine was very much essential. Disabled mother of 3 disabled children.... a scare (despite precautions) almost finished me off mentally. Hormonal contraception made me bleed solidly for a year even after cessation and even now I have a mirena as the bleeding won't stop. So a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy were booked as well as mirena insertion and they asked me if I wanted ligation too to have peace of mind. Almost snatched their arms off.

I. Cannot. Even. Begin.

Good Goddess @Bishop. That's fucking atrocious!!

I'm glad in your case you were sorted, Bishop. I'd be snatching their arms off too.

I think it's clear that there are definitely cases for essential and free sterilisation as you describe. I don't think anyone would begrudge you getting your treatment on the NHS.