Our clinics
Contraception / Sexual health
The Practice offers a range of contraceptive options.
Our staff can discuss your contraceptive choices, start pills and injections, and provide emergency contraception.
Practice nurses can do routine pill checks and give depo provera injections for women already using those methods.
Dr Nambisan checks, fit and removes coils. (single appointment).
Different methods, and the best time for appointments
Combined pill
Further information on the combined pill
Progesterone only pill
Further information on the progesterone only pill
For the IUS, Mirena, (hormonal coil) fittings 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, ie
- A reliable method of contraception is already being used (pills, injection or implant). Condoms do not count.
- There is no chance of pregnancy – if there has been no sexual intercourse since the last menstrual period.
A double appointment is needed for a fitting.
Further information on the IUS
For 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 double appointment is needed for a fitting.
Further information on the IUD
Implants
Further information on contraceptive implant
Appointments for the first depo-provera injection
- At any time during your period
First injections can, in general, only be done at other times if there is no risk of pregnancy, ie
- A reliable method of contraception is already being used (pills, injection or implant). Condoms do not count.
- There is no chance of pregnancy – if there has been no sexual intercourse since the last menstrual period.
Further information on contraceptive injections
Emergency contraception can be in the form of pills or an emergency copper coil.
Pills are best taken as soon as possible after intercourse and can also be obtained from local pharmacies, walk in centres, contraception clinics and the young people’s clinic
Emergency coils can be fitted up to 5 days after intercourse or 5 days after the calculated ovulation date.
Further information on emergency contraception
For further information see www.fpa.org.uk
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are very common, especially in the under 25s. Many STIs are silent infections and may not show any symptoms, so routine testing, for example, at the start of a new relationship, is advised.
There are some really good new tests for STIs, which can be done by men and women themselves rather than needing 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.
If you would like to have a check-up please see one of the practice nurses. If you have any symptoms that concern you please see one of the nurses or doctor.
Further information on chlamydia
Further information on genital herpes
Further information on genital warts
Further information on gonorrhoea
Further information on HIV
Further information on thrush and BV (bacterial vaginosis) – not sexually transmitted, but very common