Birth Control

Hello,
I will be applying for a spouse visa in October. If all goes as planned I will be moving in February of next year (fingers crossed). I have some questions about NHS and birth control. I have an IUD, and will need to replace it next year. I plan to have it removed before I leave the states. However, I would like to have it replaced while I am here so that the doctor that replaces it is in the country that I am in, in case something were to go wrong (maybe this is strange, but it makes me feel more comfortable.) I was wondering, if anyone knows what NHS covers as far as birth control, gyno appointments, etc. My fiancé said he has never met anyone with an IUD, this may be him just being a clueless dude, but I was curious how common IUD's are? Any info is helpful as I am just as clueless as my fiancé haha

Thanks in advance!
Vanessa

Birth control is basically free to all in the UK .

As you will be living in the UK on a spousal visa, you will be entitled to free NHS healthcare (free at point of service, anyway - you will pay the £600 IHS surcharge when you apply for the visa, to give you the 'free' access), so  your doctor's appointments, check-ups, birth control prescriptions (non-birth control prescriptions are not free in England unless you are entitled to an exemption) etc. will be free of charge.

Not sure how common IUDs are compared to other methods, but I definitely know of people who have them.

In the UK, you will generally see your GP for birth control advice and prescriptions, and then you will see a nurse for things like smear tests (which are only done routinely every 3 years from the age of 25 to 49 and every 5 years from age 49-64). Seeing an actual gynaecologist is less common unless you need to be referred to a specialist.

See here for more information on getting IUDs on the NHS:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/iud-coil.aspx

and for birth control in general:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/where-can-i-get-contraception.aspx

Thanks so much! That clears a lot up. I had no idea how any of it worked, you're a lifesaver!

Hi Vanessa,

IUD's or IUS's (Intra-uterine systems as ones with hormones can be called) are normal over here. I got my last one (Mirena) done in the US before I moved as I wanted to have it all taken care of and to have myself covered birth control wise before I moved over. I'm getting close to needing a new one, Jan 2018.

They apparently also call them a 'coil' over here and you can get the plastic (mirena and all) or the copper ones. My GP practice has 3 female doctors who can fit them. IUD's are MUCH more common here in Europe than in the US, at least they were when I was doing my research. You can also look into visiting the Family Planning centers if you'd rather not see your normal GP for something like this. (I personally would find that REALLY awkward, and my husband would say that's the American in me.)

I can't do hormonal BC pills. They make my headaches worse and leave me REALLY grumpy. The IUD has been the best thing for me (even if it gave me horrific settling in cramps for months). Though the arm implant was something I was seriously thinking about for awhile.

It's really great that they are covered, my last one was free anyway since I went to our county's Family Planning office and didn't earn enough to be charged.

Getting birth control is pretty easy over here, and I have found that the nurses and doctors are really good about trying to get you the exact thing you want.  I'm on the pill, but all of the other options seemed to be available had I wanted them. 

It won't cost anything at the doctor's office.  I like to think that I'm getting my money's worth from my IHS fee 

IUD's are VERY popular and highly promoted here!

Caveat: if you are on a specific formulation of the pill, you may not be able to get the same one here. Best to bring as much as you can get out of your pharmacist in case you need to explore what you can get here.

Thanks everyone!

Caveat: if you are on a specific formulation of the pill, you may not be able to get the same one here. Best to bring as much as you can get out of your pharmacist in case you need to explore what you can get here.

I can't use anything hormonal so, just use an IUD.

One more question that is only semi-related. Does anyone know how prescriptions work? If I am prescribed something in the states will a GP prescribe it for me here if I ask? Would I need proof from my US doctor, or would there need to be communication between the two?

Thanks!

Hi Vanessa.   I was told at my NHS clinic that everything starts fresh. I would certainly, if I were in your case, bring a copy of my medical records and discuss the recommendation my USA doctor made with the hope that the NHS doctor agrees, but it's the NHS's doctor's judgment that will weigh the most here.  If s/he agrees with the recommendation perhaps they will write orders for what the USA doctor recommended. But I doubt any doc worth his/her salt is going to just say "that's fine" without doing their own work-up on you. (Or, at least, I'd hope that was the case!) Except at the intake appointment (probably with a nurse), I don't think you're going to get a lot of face time with a doctor, unless you go to a private one, so have your ducks in a row if/when you see them. Perhaps someone who has been here longer than we have can give you some tips.

(Caveat - we have not used the NHS extensively, only a few visits. And we are in Scotland.)

Hiya,

I've got a migraine medication I take if and when I have one. When I first came over in 2014 my GP just gave me the exact prescription I'd had previously with the exact same drug because it was available. I didn't know the actual name of the drug (it's rizotriptan) just the brand name (Maxalt) and he didn't want to give me something else because we already knew it worked.

I've never seen a nurse at my GP office other than when I had to do a test, they handle those. I've only ever seen actual doctors. So I suppose it will depend on on your GP office. At my office your appointment is only 10 minutes long and if you have more than one thing to talk about you have to make more than one appointment. Unless it's two quick and easy things.

My migraine drug was my only prescription when I moved, so it probably depends on what your condition is and what your prescriptions are. It's recommended to bring a few months worth of your prescriptions over when you move just in case your GP decides that testing is needed or they need to start fresh.

Cheers!

Caveat: if you are on a specific formulation of the pill, you may not be able to get the same one here. Best to bring as much as you can get out of your pharmacist in case you need to explore what you can get here.

And when you need a British prescription for BC bring the old pack with you.  My pill is called something else here but is available.

Hi Vanessa,

IUD's or IUS's (Intra-uterine systems as ones with hormones can be called) are normal over here. I got my last one (Mirena) done in the US before I moved as I wanted to have it all taken care of and to have myself covered birth control wise before I moved over. I'm getting close to needing a new one, Jan 2018.

They apparently also call them a 'coil' over here and you can get the plastic (mirena and all) or the copper ones. My GP practice has 3 female doctors who can fit them. IUD's are MUCH more common here in Europe than in the US, at least they were when I was doing my research. You can also look into visiting the Family Planning centers if you'd rather not see your normal GP for something like this. (I personally would find that REALLY awkward, and my husband would say that's the American in me.)

I have the arm implant. I got it before I moved to cover myself in the time when I didn't have NHS coverage (came over on fiancé visa).

I like it because I never have periods but sometimes I got through the symptoms without the period.. may as well have it at that point lol. It's make my skin break out crazy through :/

When I asked about having it out my Gp said I have to go to the family planning g place because it counts as minor surgery and they lost their funding for minor surgeries.

At my initial checkup the nurse told me to come back a week before I needed new bc pills, and that they'll check my blood pressure to ensure I'm still safe to use them.

Are any of you using the NHS on the equivalent of the seasonale pill, where you only get your period every 12 weeks? I used to be on that pill and loved it and am interested in switching back to that one if they have it.