Sexual Health

 

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Both men and women need to look after their sexual health and take time to understand the issues that surround contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

For instance there are some STIs, like chlamydia, that you could be carrying without having any symptoms. This infection can affect fertility, so it's important to make use of the sexual health services available for free on the NHS.

image depicting sexual health

 

Useful Resources

  • Sex & Young People: A comprehensive guide to the questions you may have about sex from the NHS
  • FPA - The Sexual Health Charity: Sexual health advice and information on contraception, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy.
 

Contraception

There are so many different types of contraception available that you should be able to find the right method. You may have to try several different things before you choose the one you like most.

 

Useful Resources

  • NetDoctor: A Family Planning specialist writes about the different types of contraception, the benefits and pitfalls and how effective they are
  • Contraception - NHS: Information on Contraception from NHS Choices including why, when and how it should be used and with links to other useful resources.
 

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection among under-25s. Often there are no symptoms, but testing and treatment are simple.

Causes and risk factors Chlamydia is usually passed from one person to another during vaginal, oral or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys. It can live inside cells of the cervix, urethra, rectum and sometimes in the throat and eyes.

 

Useful Links

 

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice

 

Contraception Clinics

We run regular Long Acting Reversible Contraception Clinics (Coil/Implant Clinics) here at Newton Place.

COVID-19 Info: Advice for women seeking contraception, abortion and other sexual and reproductive healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic is available via the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare website

IUD/IUS Coil

If you are interested in having an IDU/IUS Coil fitted, we strongly recommend that you read the information leaflet below and watch this short film, as they give you all the information you need about intrauterine methods. You will also need to arrange a Coil Pre-assessment telephone call with one of our clinicians trained in women's health and contraception.

 

Coil Preparation Checklist & Pre-assessment Appointment

Follow this link for advice which will help you decide if you are ready to have an IUD/IUS Coil fitted. If you would like to discuss it further, then you need to arrange a Coil Pre-assessment telephone call.

Once you have had your pre-assessment appointment and you & the GP are happy to go ahead with the procedure, then you can make an appointment in one of our Coil/Implant Clinics.

If you have not had a Coil Pre-assessment appointment, you will not be able to book into a Coil/Implant Clinic.

 

Implant (Nexplanon)

If you are interested in having the Implant, we strongly recommend that you read the information leaflet and visit the Nexplanon website by clicking the links below, as they will give you all the information you need about this particular method of contraception.

 

Implant Information Leafelet & Pre-assessment Appointment

The information available on the NHS website will help you decide if you are ready to have an Implant fitted. If you would like to discuss it further, then you need to arrange an Implant Pre-assessment telephone call. Once you have had your pre-assessment appointment and you & the GP are happy to go ahead with the procedure, then you can make an appointment in one of our Coil/Implant Clinics. 

If you have not had an Implant Pre-assessment appointment, you will not be able to book into a Coil/Implant Clinic.

 

Upon Removal of an Implant

  • Additional contraception will be needed for 7 days prior to the removal of an Implant, unless you wish to become pregnant.
  • You will need to have tried this method of contraception for at-least 6 months
  • We can remove and insert a new Nexplanon when it is due, in the same appointment
  • We do not send reminders for the renewal of Implants, however the Nexplanon website does offer an email reminder service
 

Contraceptive Injections

If you are interested in starting Contraceptive Injections then your initial appointment will need to be with a Doctor to discuss and give the first injection.

Your first injection appointment will need to be within the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle or when you are absolutely sure you are not pregnant. Following appointments can then be booked in with a Practice Nurse. These injections are given 12 weeks apart. 

 

Update Sayana Press

We are increasingly using Sayana Press instead of Depo Provera. Please have a look at this website for more details.

 

Depo Provera text reminder service:

There is a text reminder service as below available through the manufacturer.

  • Text DEPO and the date you had your last injection to 83311 for your personal text reminder.
  • When you text, give the date on which you had your last injection using the normal DD.MM format. For example 31.07
  • You will receive an acknowledgement of your text. 3 weeks before your next injection is due you will receive the text message "Your next 12 week appointment is due on (Date)".
  • This should give you plenty of time to make an appointment.
 

Contraceptive Pill/patch

If you are interested in starting the Pill or Patch then your initial appointment will need to be with a Doctor to discuss.

You will then require 1 yearly Pill Check appointments with a Practice Nurse.

 

Continuous combined pill taking

Taking combined oral contraceptives every day without breaks was the '21st century way to take the pill' - Professor Guillebaud, emeritus professor of family planning and reproductive health.

Less bleeding, less likely to get pregnant and less hassle. See our patient information page for more details.

 

Further information can be found by clicking the links below:

 

Sexual Health

We do not provide testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), however there is home testing available for various STDs including blood borne viruses (HIV, hepatitis B,C & syphilis), chlamydia or Gonorrhoea with self swab/urine kits.  You can attend one of the specialist clinics if you feel this is needed or request the home testing kits online. The links are below: