Contraception
Contraception is free on prescription in the UK and you can get this from your Doctor, local Family Planning Clinic. For a list of local contraception clinics in the Surrey area click this link.
There are loads of options for contraception available to you, all for free in the UK. Choices can be made with information given to you by a health care professional.
• Combined pill
• Progesterone only pill
• Depo-provera pill
• Implanon (implant)
• Vaginal ring
• Contraceptive patch
• Condoms (male and female)
• IUS (hormonal coil)
• IUD (copper coil)
• Sterilisation
• Natural family planning
• Cap (diaphragm)
Remember, most forms of contraception do not protect you from STI’s
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception or ‘the morning after pill’ can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. Although, it is more effective if taken within the first 24 hours. The quicker you act the more effective it will be!
The risks of the morning after pill on your health are minimal however there can sometimes be side effects to be aware of. You may feel sick and your periods may be irregular for a short time afterwards. It is important to remember that it does not protect you from STI’s so you may want to consider having a sexual health check.
You can get the morning after pill from
• Your GP
• Pharmacies
• Family Planning/GUM Clinics
• NHS walk-in centres and Accident and Emergency Departments
If you are seeking help more than 72 hours after an episode of unprotected sex there are other alternatives you may want to consider. You can have an IUD (intrauterine device) fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex or take a new 5 day emergency contraception pill. Speak to your GP or local family planning clinic about these options.
Pregnancy
If you think you could be pregnant then you can come to see the nurses in Centre for Wellbeing for confidential advice, free pregnancy testing and referral to a professional service for termination if this is right for you. Some signs and symptoms of being pregnant are breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, tiredness and frequent urination. Some may happen before you miss your period. It is important to have a test if you are worried even if you feel worried about the result.
Unplanned pregnancy
Discovering that you are pregnant can be a shock and you will be making some very difficult decisions. Talk to all the people around you that you trust such as family and friends but remember the final decision is yours. The nurses at Centre for Wellbeing are happy for you to come in anytime to have a chat and they will support you and give you the advice you need.
Termination of pregnancy (Abortion)
If you have decided that having a termination of pregnancy is best for you and your situation then there are people who you can talk to. It is important that you seek help as quickly as you can so that the pregnancy does not progress beyond 24 weeks when you cannot have a termination unless under exceptional circumstances. Marie Stopes and bpas are both charities which can help you, you can contact them directly or through Centre for Wellbeing.
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