Contraception

What’s the best method of contraception and where do you get if from?  How do I protect myself from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).   The information in this section will hopefully help you to decide what the best method of contraception is for you and will tell you where you can go to get free contraception as well as information and advice.

Before we start, it’s useful to point out that not all contraception protects you against sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.  Some contraception protects you from pregnancy only, whilst condoms are the only contraception to protect you from both.   If you are not in a long term relationship, or if you have just met someone and you don’t know much about them, it is better to use a condom to stop you catching a STI and from getting pregnant.

Condoms - There are 2 different types of condoms; a male condom and a female condom.  Both are made of either very thin latex rubber or plastic.  Males put a condom over their penis and females put (the female condom) inside their vagina.  Both can be used before you have sex and stops sperm from reaching the eggs.   Condoms prevent STI’s and pregnancy and are very effective if they are used properly.  You need to be careful that they don’t tear or break. 

The Cap or Diaphragms – A cap or diaphragm is made out of soft latex or silicone and fits over the female’s cervix (the entrance to the womb).   They are used along with spermicides which help to stop the sperm from meeting the egg.  There are no serious health risks invovled with using a cap and you can put them in at a convenient time before having sex.   However they can be a little buit fiddly to use and can take some time and the spermicides can be messy.  They don’t protect from STI’s. 

The Pill – Pills contain different levels of hormones and you will need to talk to your doctor or family planning nurse who will advise you on the best one to use.  There are two typess of pill; the combined pill or progestogen-only pill (POP).  Both pills stop the woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs each month.  They also make the lining of the womb thinner so it is less likely to want to accept an egg.  Both pills are 99% effective if taken properly.   The combined pill can help make periods lighter and help with period pain.  There are some side effects which you may want to talk to your doctor about.  However the combined pill also protects against cancer of the ovary, womb and colon.  The progestogen only pill can help with period pain.  There are also no major side affects using this pill.  Neither pill offers protection against STI’s or the HIV virus.

The Contraceptive Patch -  this is applied to the skin (either the arm, leg or stomach)  and looks a little bit like a plaster.  The patch works by releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into the blood stream.  The hormones stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.    This is a very effective method if used properly, but does not protect against STIs including HIV.   There are some side effects with using the patch which you will need to talk to your doctor about.

Emergency Contraception – If you have had sex without contraception, or your contraception method didn’t work properly, you can still get emergency contraception for a short time afterwards to stop pregnancy.  The emergency contraception includes emergency pills and the intrauterine device (IDU).  The emergency pill can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex.  However it is advisable to take it within 24 hours to ensure pregnancy doesn’t occur.  The IUD needs to be fitted within 5 days of having unprotected sex.  The IUD stops eggs becoming fertilised.

There are other forms of contraception available.  Talk to your doctor or someone from the sexual health clinics listed below for further information.

  • Hope House, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.  New building – pedestrian access at Wester Entrance, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN - Walk in clinics are held Monday to Friday.  Doors open at 8.00am.  Patients are seen as quickly as possible according to their clinical need.  You can contact Hope House by telephone on 08454 226470 between 10.00 and 4.30pm. Outside of these times there is an answerphone in operation and messages are monitored between 8.00am and 10.00am and from 4.30pm – 6.00pm
  • Benhall Clinic, Centre Block, College Road, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN.  Walk in Clinics available daily during specified times.  You can contact Benhall Clinic by telephone on 08454 224279 after 10.00am
  • Cheltenham Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – A young persons clinic (for people under 25) is held on Saturday mornings from 10.00 to 11.45am.   People can drop in at any time to pick up FREE condoms (maximum of 12 condoms per person, per month).   Contact 08454 22 2374.
  • Cinderford Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -   The clinic is held every Thursday, 5.00-7.00pm.  Contact 01594 598000.
  • Cirencester Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Wednesday, 6.00 – 8.00pm.  Contact 01285 884628 (during clinic hours) or 08454 222374 (out of these hours to book and appointment).
  • Coleford Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -  The Healthwise Clinic (for people under 25) is held every Friday, 4.00 – 6.00pm.  Contact 01594 598050.
  • Dursley Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic -  Contact 01453 562050 for details of the clinic times and days. 
  • Gloucester Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – Contact 08454 226201 for detail of the clinic times and days,
  • Lydney Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Monday, 5.30-7.30pm.  Contact 01594 598240 (clinic hours) or 01594 841200 (for appointments).
  • Stonehouse Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – Contact 01453 562120 for details of the clinic times and days.
  • Stroud Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held on Thursdays, 1.00-6.30pm.  Contact 01453 766331.
  • Tewkesbury Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic – The clinic is held every Thursday, 5.30-7.30pm.  Contact 01684 293303 (clinic hours) or 01242 272374 (outside clinic hours).

 Visit www.sexhelpglos.nhs.uk for information about STI’s, Emegency contraception and contraception for young people in Gloucestershire.

 
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