If you wish to discuss your contraceptive options or start a new type of contraception – please make an appointment with a GP.
We offer a full range of contraceptive options including long-acting reversible methods (LARCs) which can be fitted at the surgery. These includes Contraceptive Implants and Coils in addtion to Depo-Provera injections.
Please see the individual sections below for more information about each method of contraception offered:
Emergency Contraception
There are two methods of emergency contraception:
A special pill known as emergency hormonal contraception (or the ‘morning after pill’) that works within 3 days after sex (but it works better the sooner you take it).
The emergency IUD (also known as the coil), which can be used up to 5 days after sex and is the most effective. If you are under 25 you can get free emergency contraception pills from the following places:
Where can I get emergency contraception from?
- Young people’s sexual health clinics
- Your own doctor
- NHS Walk-In Centres
You can get the emergency IUD (coil) from most young people’s sexual health clinics but you should ring first to check that a doctor or nurse trained to fit one is available. If you are considering starting the contraceptive pill you should see your GP to discuss your options and ensure that the type of pill chosen is the safest and most appropriate for you to take. This will involve discussing your past medical history and that of your family. We will also need to weigh you, ask questions about your lifestyle and measure your blood pressure.
Contraceptive Pill Checks
You will initially require one of these after 3 months of taking the contraceptive pill. We will recheck your weight and blood pressure and ensure there are no problems arising. Please tell us if there are any changes in your health or that of your family. As long as no issues identified, you will be allowed to have a 6 month prescription for the pill and the facility to request one further repeat of that prescription. This will provide enough pills for just less than 1 year. We need to see you for annual checks whilst you continue taking the contraceptive pill. Please book further annual pill checks with a nurse if there are no problems.
We would normally issue an initial prescription for 3 months supply of your contraceptive pill. If after 3 months, you are happy with the pill you are taking and are having no problems – you should book an appointment with a nurse for a Pill Check. If there are problems or issues you want to discuss, please book an appointment with a GP.
For further detailed information on contraceptive pills, please click here:
http://www.fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/contraception
Contraceptive Injections (DEPO-PROVERA)
If you are considering the Depo-Provera injection as a form of contraception, please make an appointment with a GP to discuss. We need to be satisfied that you are not already likely to be pregnant before we give you the first injection. This means that you should either already be using a reliable form of contraception or that you have not had any sexual intercourse in the preceding 3 weeks and have had a negative pregnancy test.
If you are already receiving the Depo-Provera injection, you will need an appointment every 12 weeks with a member of the Nursing Team
For further detailed information on the contraceptive injection, please click here:
The IUD/IUS (‘The Coil’)
There are 2 types of contraceptive intra-uterine devices: one is made of copper and the other is made from plastic impregnated with a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone (The Mirena Coil). If you are considering either of these as a form of contraception, please make an initial appointment with a GP to discuss.
The Doctor may ask you if you want to have swabs taken to exclude any genital tract infections before fitting the contraceptive device. We need to be certain there is no risk of you already being pregnant before we can fit the device. This means you that need to either already be using a reliable method of contraception or have abstained from any sexual intercourse for the previous 3 weeks and have had a negative pregnancy test.
The contraceptive device is fitted inside the uterus . The GP will perform an internal examination first to find the position and size of your uterus. Fitting the device can take 30 minutes. It can be uncomfortable and can cause some light bleeding so it’s a good idea to bring a sanitary pad to wear afterwards. We usually advise women to take 400mgs Ibuprofen (if you are able to safely take anti-inflammatory medications) before you attend your coil fitting appointment.
We ask you to attend for an appointment with our nursing team around 6 weeks after having the device fitted. This is so they can check it remains in the right place and that any concerns you have can be addressed.
For further detailed information about intra-uterine contraceptive devices (coils), please click here:
http://www.fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/contraception
Contraceptive Implant (NEXPLANON)
If you are considering the implant as a form of contraception, please make a telephone appointment with a GP to discuss. Insertion of the implant is performed by Dr Mileham. This is done under local anaesthetic and is not usually uncomfortable. It is removed using a similar procedure after 3 years.
It is really important that we are sure you are not already pregnant before the implant is fitted. For this reason, we need you either to be already using a reliable method of contraception or to have had no sexual intercourse in the previous 3 weeks and have had a negative pregnancy test.
For further detailed information about the contraceptive implant, please click here: