4 Blenheim Walk, Leeds LS2 9AE

Contraception & Sexual Health

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Contraception and Sexual Health

At Leeds Student Medical Practice we offer all the currently available methods of prescribed contraception including all the contraceptive pills and all the LARC (long-acting reversible contraception) methods. These include the contraceptive injection, the contraceptive implant and the intrauterine methods known as “coils” (IUS and the IUD)

Throughout the UK these services are provided FREE of charge to all

Brook and FPA have a contraception selection tool to help make choosing contraception easier. Visit the Brook tool or the FPA Tool and have a go

All our Practice Nurses and our GPs have an excellent knowledge of contraception and sexual health and are here to help you make your choice

To access our designated contraceptive clinic, please complete an eConsult.

Thanks to the unique population of the Practice, we welcome doctors and nurses from other practices to participate in training under supervision with our experienced training team. We also participate in research studies and are an active member of the Clinical Research Network

Advice for women during Covid-19

Information on accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare during this current pandemic is available from, here. This information has been provided to the practice by, The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)

IUD IUS fitting advice

Make sure you have read the IUD and/or the IUS leaflet that you have been given. Anything you are not sure about should be discussed with the doctor before you come for the fitting. Arrange to have a Chlamydia test before the fitting – if this has not been done you can get a Chlamydia self-test kit from Reception

Important
The timing of the insertion of the IUD/IUS depends on the contraception you are currently using:

  • The IUS/IUD can be fitted during the first seven days of your cycle – counting from the first day of bleeding of your normal period
  • If you are currently using reliable contraception (the combined contraceptive pill, progesterone only pill, contraceptive injection (Depo), the contraceptive implant (Implanon/Nexplanon), vaginal ring, or contraceptive patch) the IUD/IUS can be fitted at any convenient time. Do not stop your current method of contraception. If this is the pill, you must continue to take the pills up to the day of your fitting
  • If you are NOT using one of the above methods you must not have sexual intercourse from the first day of your period until the day of fitting. (Condoms are NOT sufficiently reliable even if you are very careful how you use them)
  • If you are having an IUS/IUD removed or replaced you must not have sexual intercourse in the seven days before your appointment

 If you do not comply with these important points the doctor/nurse may not be able to fit the IUD/IUS when you attend

On the day of the procedure

  • Do not arrange to have your IUD/IUS fitted if you have an important commitment the same day (in case you feel uncomfortable afterwards and/or need to stay in the surgery for a while after the fitting)
  • Do not drive to the surgery for your coil fitting appointment (as you may feel too uncomfortable afterwards to drive)
  • Have something to eat before you come, this will make you less likely to feel faint during and after the fitting
  • To help with the discomfort take some painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen 400mg after food) one hour before your appointment
  • The doctor will try to fit the IUD/IUS you ask for but sometimes other factors such as your anatomy and medical history may mean they have to advise something different
  • We ask you to use sanitary towels (not tampons) for the first few days after the fitting

Leeds Student Medical Practice is a centre for training in specialist contraceptive techniques, including IUDs/IUSs (intrauterine devices). This means there may be a qualified doctor or nurse, who may be male or female, working alongside the Leeds Student Medical Practice doctor at your appointment. The doctor from Leeds Student Medical Practice will be present at all times. If you are uncertain about any aspects please telephone us for advice (0113 295 4488)

Contraceptive Sub Dermal Implant (also known as ‘Nexplanon’ or SDI) – your fitting appointment  

You must have discussed the Implant in detail with a doctor or nurse at Leeds Student Medical Practice prior to being able to make an appointment for the fitting

The timing of the insertion depends on the contraception you are currently using:

  • If you are currently using the combined contraceptive pill, the combined transdermal patch, the combined vaginal ring, the progesterone-only pill, the contraceptive injection (Depo Provera or Sayana Press), an IUD or IUS ( also known as Mirena/Kyleena/Jaydess) the Implant can be fitted at any convenient time. You must continue to use your current method of contraception up to the day of your fitting. You will discuss in your insertion appointment what happens to your previous method of contraception once the Implant is inserted
  • If you are using condoms, a diaphragm or natural methods you must either:
  • Abstain from sexual intercourse from the first day of your period until the day of your insertion appointment

OR

  • Arrange to use one of the more reliable methods of contraception short term. Condoms are NOT sufficiently reliable however carefully they are used
  • You may wish to consider using one of the short-acting methods as a bridging method whilst waiting for your insertion appointment as this can make arranging the fitting much easier

If you do not comply with these important points or have had emergency contraception recently, the doctor/nurse may not be able to fit the IUD/IUS when you attend and you may need to rebook.

We recommend that you have a chlamydia test prior to your Implant fitting.

 

Emergency Contraception 

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea Testing

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are common sexually transmitted infections affecting both men and women and can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex. Sometimes they are not easily noticed and can lead on to more severe problems

It is not easily noticed and can lead to more severe problems if left untreated, which is why it is essential to get tested.

You can collect a simple Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test kit from our Reception desk or ask your doctor or nurse for one when you attend for an appointment

Patient.co.uk offers more information about Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea

Sexual Health and HIV Testing

Testing in Leeds is available in a number of settings to enable you to have a choice of time and location. These testing services in Leeds are FREE and confidential

Leeds Sexual Health is a specialist service for all your sexual health needs based at The Merrion Centre and other spoke sites around Leeds.

Pregnancy testing

Pregnancy testing kits are available from all pharmacies and many supermarkets

These pharmacists provide free pregnancy testing to under 25s

Condoms

There are a number of locations in Leeds where under 25s can get free condoms

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could develop into cancer of the cervix.

Irrespective of their gender, everyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64, is eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years.

Please ask for a cervical smear appointment if you are aged over 24 and one of our Practice Nurses will be very happy to see you for your test.

Click here for more information about cervical cytology testing ‘smears’.

Unfortunately at present transmen may fall out of the national recall system if their gender has been changed on their health records. We are currently in the process of devising a protocol for patients registered at LSMP, but in the interim, if you feel you are due a smear test or have not had surgery to remove your cervix, please speak to a doctor or nurse.

We recognise cervical screening for transmen can be more daunting and emotionally challenging and hence patients may find it more difficult to attend. Here at LSMP, we believe in equality and aim to make the process as easy for you as possible. If you want to book the test directly you can do so via reception. If you have any concerns regarding the procedure please book in with a GP to discuss.

Termination of Pregnancy

If you have an unplanned pregnancy and wish to discuss it with us you can come and chat to any of our GPs or Practice Nurses who will be happy to support you and help you come to your decision

Come down for a same-day appointment or telephone 0113 295 4488 for a booked appointment

If you prefer you can refer yourself directly for termination without seeing us first

Association of  hormonal contraception and Depression 

The CEU recommends that people should be informed by their contraceptive provider that HC may affect mood but there is no clear evidence that hormonal contraception causes depression.  CEU statement

Useful Resources

Leeds Sexual Health

Leeds Sexual Health clinic times

Family Planning Association

FPA:Talking sense about sex

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV

Brook (the country’s largest young people’s sexual health charity)

www.patient.co.uk

NHS Choices website