What agency deals with your contraception?

[Marth]

I need to go and discuss contraception after a bit of a scare.

I know what I want (the Mirena coil), so I really just want to go somewhere, have a quick chat and have one administered.


I've made a GP appt but I imagine I have to trudge up there, talk about it, then another appt will need to be made somewhere to have it done. Is there somewhere I could just telephone, and then just go?

[Ella77]

I haven’t tried them myself, but maybe give the Margaret Pyke centre off TCR a call and see if they can help. I think they’re still NHS-funded

http://cindex.camden.gov.uk/kb5/camden/ ... H_jrEQhJRA

[Marth]

I haven’t tried them myself, but maybe give the Margaret Pyke centre off TCR a call and see if they can help. I think they’re still NHS-funded

http://cindex.camden.gov.uk/kb5/camden/ ... H_jrEQhJRA

Thanks, Ella.

I've seen that the FPS offer an appt clinic in East London so night look at them as well. I'll also call my GP and ask reception who does them. There might be a specialist nurse or something.

I'm a bit wary of rocking up at a clinic because I only want a female practitioner. I suppose I could call them and ask.

[Ella77]

They must be very used to that sort of request, so definitely ask if you want to.

[Leap]

I did go to the GP first, but they said I could’ve gone directly to the family planning clinic for mine. The IVR was a bit of a maze as I remember it, but they were great once you got through and I agree with Ella - they were very flexible and deal with so many different backgrounds that I’m sure requesting female only would be straightforward.

[Texaco Shirley]

I did go and see a GP to start with and then had an appt with the family plannng clinic. I could probably have gone straight to them. It’s only ever been female nurses who have done the fitting.

[Marth]

Thanks all. I think I'll go straight for a family planning appt. I'll call beforehand and talk to them about a female practitioner. The last time I had a coil the GP did it.

[Kleio]

I was told to bypass my GP and make an apppintment with the FPS directly.

[smalex]

Obv all GPs are different, but mine are fucking torturous about this. I'm trying to get one removed, had to wait a month for an appt to go and 'discuss' removing it, and I've been waiting another month (and counting) for them to contact me to arrange to actually remove it.

I didn't even think of going directly to a FPC

[Bat Macdui]

I went straight to Family Planning. I had to have a chat with someone on the phone, then they just booked me the appointment. I seem to remember it was a two part appointment - history/health check with a nurse then out and wait then back in for the deed.

[Leap]

Oh yes I think I had the consultation first with FPC - I remember them trying to discourage me from it but that was my age and personal life as they prefer not to give it to people who haven’t had kids yet, but it was an informed discussion and I got it at the next appointment. They will ask you what contraception you’re using and won’t schedule you in until after your next period if there’s a chance you might be pregnant, so useful to go armed with that info.

Smal - I would just go straight to FPC now, I did for removal without contacting GP and it was just booked and done no questions asked within a couple of weeks.

[Marth]

I've actually just got my period now and should be off by Wednesday at the latest

[Shoe]

Another vote for FPS, I've used both my GP and local FPS and the latter was much simpler and better.

[Marth]

I've got an appt for Thursday. I think I'll call before I go though. I've had the mirena coil before and rate it. I get very heavy short lived periods now so would like them to fuck off and let me enter the menopause without them.

[Bat Macdui]

I don't want to piss on your mirena shaped chips but I have one, I strongly suspect I am now peri-menopausal and I'm bleeding twice a month now. So, like, not actual guarantee. Though probably worth a shot.

[Ruby]

If that's a change, Batso, I would go and get it checked - or have a furtle up there - as that was a sign that mine had got lost.

[Marth]

That sounds grim, Bats. I’m every 22 to 26 days and have been for years. I think I must be perimenopausal but have no fucking idea really

This time it was 29 days hence the panic (at my age!). Also now having the period from actual hell. Fmfl

[Bat Macdui]

Oh, ta for that. It is a relatively new thing. I've a smear test booked for next month, I might ask her to check placement whilst she's there.

[Hamm]

I've had them for 20 odd years and I did have one fail at 3 years when I was 37, Bats. It still provided contraception but not the period stopping. No problems since.

My Gp doesn't do them so I was told to call the sexual health clinic directly and they did me a switch with none of the old two week wait or swabs etc, it was great. And I'm sure the firms asked if I wanted a woman.

[Marth]

I cancelled that appointment and I went to my GP in the end. Got a telephone appt then booked the appt.

I had to go and get it from the chemist (in a massive box) and then take it on holiday with me as I was only back today, went straight to work and when to the GP straight after work. Anyway it's all done, and hopefully will help.