Contraception and family planning

Contraception, planned and in an emergency

This is a very important area of our clinical care and we provide a service for our patients that we are proud of. Currently, contraception is free for most people in the UK. This is a confidential service for our patients, including people under 16 as long as they are mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved. There are strict guidelines for care professionals who work with people under 16. We provide a range of methods at Gresleydale Healthcare Centre.

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t necessarily protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect you and your partner’s health.

Missed pill calculator

Take all the guesswork out of missing your pill, and feel confident knowing whether you should use emergency or extra contraception using The Lowdown’s FSRH endorsed tool: www.thelowdown.com/missed-pill

Methods of contraception

There are lots of methods of contraception to choose from

In addition to your chosen method of contraception, you need to use condoms to prevent STIs. Always buy condoms that have the CE mark on the packet. This means that they’ve been tested to the high European safety standards. Condoms that don’t have the CE mark won’t meet these standards, so don’t use them.

Gresleydale Healthcare Centre offers all of the above methods. However, we are unable to offer CAPS and DIAPHRAGMS. Unfortunately, we are not able to prescribe condoms. We refer to another service for male and female sterilisation.

Where to get routine/ ongoing planned contraception

From the surgery

Booking an appointment with a nurse. Any of the nurses are able to discuss contraceptive choices.

Dr Redferne, Dr Whitehouse and Dr Kulkarni have undertaken extra training to fit contraceptive intra uterine devices (also called a “coil” or IUCD) and contraceptive implants in the practice, they are happy to discuss further if you are considering one of these options.

From the local family planning clinic

SWADLINCOTE CLINIC
Civic Way,
Swadlincote,
DE11 0AE

Phone
01283 818000

Open every Wednesday
2pm to 4pm

SWADLINCOTE CONNEXIONS
Rink House,
Rink Drive,
Swadlincote,
DE11 8JL

Phone
01283 229709

Open every Thursday
3pm to 5pm
(Drop-in for under 21s ONLY)

Emergency contraception information video

What is emergency contraception? And where to get it

Emergency contraception can be used up to 5 days after sex, but it’s more effective the sooner you take it.

It can be used if a contraception fails e.g. a condom splits or a pill is forgotten or taken late, or if no contraception is used. There are 3 forms, the most effective with virtually no failure rate is the emergency contraception device.

Emergency contraception types

Emergency intra-uterine device (IUD or “coil”) 100% effective within 5 days

It can be fitted as an emergency contraceptive up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy by Dr Redferne or at the Family planning clinic.

Phone the surgery before you visit, to check when Dr Redferne will be available, if she is in surgery an appointment will be made available for you if you need an emergency IUD.

If you have an IUD fitted, you can then continue to use it for your regular contraception.

IUD fitting information video

Emergency contraceptive pill – Levonelle

Levonelle is sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’. It can be taken up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex and not just on the morning after.

It is more effective the sooner you take it.

If taken it within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it is 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.

If taken between 25-48 hours after unprotected sex it is 85% effective

If it’s taken between 49-72 hours after unprotected sex it is 58% effective at preventing pregnancy.

So it’s important that you get advice on emergency contraception as soon as possible after having unprotected sex.

If you’re over 16, you can also buy the EC pill from most pharmacies. It costs around £25.

The emergency contraceptive pill – EllaOne

A new emergency contraceptive pill, called EllaOne, can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

The emergency contraceptive pills Levonelle and EllaOne as well as the emergency IUD do not prevent you from getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have had unprotected sex, you should think about having an STI test.

Contraception and menopause

Women, who don’t want to get pregnant, must keep on using contraception until they haven’t had a period for more than 12 months if they are over 50 years of age. If they are under 50 years of age they should carry on using contraception until they haven’t had a period for more than 24 months. Most women can stop using contraception at 54 years of age.

This is because periods can become irregular before they stop entirely, and pregnancy can still occur during this time.

You can find out more about menopause.

Family planning/ contraception/ sexual health organisations

For more information on family planning / contraception and sexual health organisations please visit the wellbeing centre.