Contraception and Sexual Health

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Who does what?

All doctors and nurse practitioners can discuss your contraceptive choices, start pills and injections, and provide emergency contraception. Practice nurses can give depo provera injections for women already using those methods. Dr Eachus and Dr Davies are trained and experienced in the fitting of coils and implants. Please ring the surgery to book in for this. Please be advised we currently have a waitlist for this procedure so you will be added to this list and then contacted once appointments become available. All doctors can check and remove coils (please book a routine appointment). 

All doctors and nurses can provide you with a sexual health screening kit (for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea). These can also be collected at reception for under 25's. If you have symptoms that concern you or require treatment after being notified by a sexual partner please book with one of the doctors or nurse practitioners.

Different methods of contraception, and the best time for appointments

Combined pill (COCP)

Please contact reception and they can send you the annual COCP review text. This is then checked by a GP and if all is well you will be provided with a 12 month prescription. Please note you will need an up to date blood pressure reading to be able to complete the review.

Progesterone only pill (POP)

Please contact reception and they can send you the annual POP review text. This is then checked by a GP and if all is well you will be provided with a 12 month prescription. Please note you will need an up to date blood pressure reading to be able to complete the review.

IUS, Mirena (hormonal coil)

The best time for a fitting is at the end of a period.  Fittings can only be done at other times if there is no risk of pregnancy, i.e. a reliable method of contraception is already being used (pills, injection or implant) or if there has been no sexual intercourse since the last menstrual period. A cervical screening can be taken at the same time as a coil is fitted/checked/removed, just ask the doctor at the time if you are due. Please ring the surgery to book in for this. Please be advised we currently have a waitlist for this procedure so you will be added to this list and then contacted once appointments become available.

IUDs (copper coils)

Again the best time for a fitting is at the end of a period. Fittings can also be done up until 5 days after the calculated ovulation date (so during the first half of your cycle). A cervical screening can be taken at the same time as a coil is fitted/checked/removed, just ask the doctor at the time if you are due.  Please ring the surgery to book in for this. Please be advised we currently have a waitlist for this procedure so you will be added to this list and then contacted once appointments become available.

Implants

The best time for a fitting is at the end of a period.  Fittings can only be done at other times if there is no risk of pregnancy, i.e. a reliable method of contraception is already being used (pills, injection or intrauterine device) or if there has been no sexual intercourse since the last menstrual period. Please ring the surgery to book in for this. Please be advised we currently have a waitlist for this procedure so you will be added to this list and then contacted once appointments become available.

First depo-provera injection

Can be given at any time during your period. First injections can only be done at other times if there is no risk of pregnancy, i.e. a reliable method of contraception is already being used (pills, implant or intrauterine device) or if there has been no sexual intercourse since the last menstrual period. Repeat contraceptive injections are usually given every 12 weeks.

Emergency contraception

Can be in the form of pills or an emergency copper coil (IUD).
Pills are best taken as soon as possible after intercourse and can also be obtained from pharmacies, walk in centres, contraception clinics and the Brook young people's clinic.
Emergency coils can be fitted up to 5 days after intercourse or 5 days after the calculated ovulation date.

For further information please see the sexwise website or come and talk to us!

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs are very common. Many STIs are silent infections and may not show any symptoms, so routine testing on an annual basis or, for example if you change partner, is advised. Treatment is usually very straightforward and should prevent any further problems.

There are some really good tests for STIs, which can be done by men and women themselves, you do not need to have an examination.

Men provide a urine sample (it is important that you have not passed urine for 2 hours before you provide your sample). This can then be sent to the lab to check for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Women can do a self taken vaginal swab which can then be sent to the lab to check for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Cervical Screenings are not the same as STI tests.

If you would like to pick up a testing kit please ask at reception or see one of the practice nurses or doctors. Testing kits for under 25s are available in the foyer of the surgery – please help yourself, follow the instructions and drop the completed test back to us. If you have any questions about it, just ask. If you have any symptoms that concern you please see one of the doctors or nurse practitioners.

Other STI tests that are available are blood tests for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis. These infections are much less common, but are all important to detect and are treatable.
HIV tests check for any infection up until 12 weeks before the test. If you think you may have been exposed to the HIV virus please speak to a doctor urgently.
In the past people have worried about having routine HIV tests in case mortgage or insurance companies asked about it. Insurance reports can only ask doctors about a test that has been positive. Please do not have any concerns about having an HIV test as a "check-up".

For further information please see the sexwise website or come and talk to us!

If you are under 25 you can go to Brook at The Station. To arrange an appointment or find out about times of drop-in sessions call 0117 929 0090.