If you wish to discuss your contraceptive options or start a new type of contraception – please make an appointment with a GP or our Nurse Practitioners. We offer a full range of contraceptive options including long-acting reversible methods (LARCs). Please see the individual sections below for more information about each method of contraception offered.
For further detailed information about contraception please visit:
https://www.sexwise.org.uk/
Emergency Contraception
There are different methods of emergency contraception:
- The ‘morning after pill’ works within 3 days after sex, but it works better the sooner you take it.
- The emergency IUS/IUD (also known as the coil), can be used up to 5 days after sex and is the most effective, to get more information please visit here.
If you need the morning-after pill please call UWE Health Center reception (0117 328 6666) before 11 am so that you can be seen by the GP or Nurse Practitioner on duty for a free prescription that day. At the same appointment, it will be possible to discuss other contraception options and if it is necessary for screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia.
If you are under 25 there are other places to get emergency contraception:
- Sexual health clinics
- NHS Walk-In Centres
- 80% of Bristol Pharmacies will also provide free emergency contraception to the under 25s – click here to find your nearest Pharmacies
If you are over 25, emergency contraception pills are still free but you will need a prescription from your surgery or alternatively, you can attend one of Bristol’s NHS Walk-in Centres.
Contraceptive pills
If you are considering starting the contraceptive pill you should see the GP or our Nurse Practitioners 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.
We 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 have no concerns, you should book an appointment with the UWE practice nurse for a pill check. If there are no problems we will issue 6 months of your contraceptive pill and put it on repeat so that you can have a further prescription without being seen. After this, you will need to have annual pill checks with the practice nurse.
If you have problems you want to discuss, please book an appointment with a GP or the Nurse Practitioner.
Contraceptive Injections (DEPO-PROVERA)
If you are considering the depo-provera injection as a form of contraception, please make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner or 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 our Nursing Team.
Contraceptive Implant (NEXPLANON)
If you are considering the implant as a form of contraception, please make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner or a GP to discuss it. Insertion of the implant is performed by Dr Boutin, Dr Aziz or Lucy McKenzie. 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.
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 our Nurse Practitioner or a GP to discuss.
The doctor will take swabs to exclude any genital tract infections before fitting the contraceptive device. We also 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 by one of our experienced doctors. They will perform an internal examination first to find the position and size of your uterus. Fitting the device can take 15-20 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 they are able to safely take anti-inflammatory medications) before they attend coil fitting appointments.
We ask you to attend 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.
OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES ABOUT CONTRACEPTION
See more information about Sexual Health here
