"This experience left me traumatised and upset."

I was encouraged to share my experience of my first visit to Grantham Hospital which took place in November 2023. 

The visit was arranged through my GP to discuss my options dealing with heavy periods. This followed an ultra sound which indicated that I had fibroids which was likely to hamper any plan to have the Mirena Coil. I travelled to Grantham Hospital believing this was a consultation to explore my options. 

The person I saw was not the most approachable on first impression. Quite stern and a little abrupt. I was already nervous because I am not sexually active. In fact I am gay and have never had sexual intercourse and therefore no children either. Gynaecology information can often feel like a minefield and difficult to navigate and understand.

The doctor looked over my notes. They asked me why I was here and I explained about the ultrasound and need to discuss my options. I explained that it was my understanding that I couldn’t have the coil. They didn’t say much, seemed confused and said needed to speak to someone for a second opinion. They left the room and then returned telling me that there was no reason I couldn’t have the coil. They pointed to another room and said that they could insert it now!

I was shocked and nervous but felt a little silly to ask whether this was normal given I hadn’t taken any pain killers beforehand. I was led to the bed and laid down ready for the procedure to start. I hadn’t prepared myself for this and couldn’t quite believe it was happening but again I was self conscious and I didn’t want to cause any fuss. 

What happened next was excruciatingly painful. A young assistant came in to chaperone and stand with me. They offered encouragement but seemed taken aback that I was in so much pain actually asking if I was always in this much pain. I hadn’t disclosed my situation to the doctor because I didn’t think I was about to undergo a procedure. I looked down and could see quite a lot of blood. After what seemed like an eternity the doctor informed me that they couldn’t insert the coil because of a polyp and that I needed to return for a hysteroscopy. I left this consultation and returned home.

Upon receiving a copy of the letter from this appointment, the Doctor who saw me had also removed some of the polyp. They never explained this to me. This would explain the amount of blood I could see in the bowl. 

Overall this experience left me extremely traumatised and upset. I felt like I had been butchered. I just wish I had been given a separate appointment to mentally prepare for a coil insertion . I didn’t take any pain killers prior and the pain was horrendous. Having spoken to friends and family (my older sister is a senior nurse practitioner) I was encouraged to share this experience to avoid a similar situation happening again.