All our doctors and sexual health nurses are trained in contraception and can offer advice on all forms of contraception including pills, injections, implants, IUD and IUS coils.
If you are considering starting or changing your contraception, please book a phone appointment with a sexual health nurse or one of our doctors.
Our sexual health nurses and some doctors are trained in fitting and removing IUD and IUS coils and the contraceptive implant. If you are interested please book a phone consultation for advice before the procedure can take place.
We can provide testing and screening for sexually transmitted infections, cervical screening and emergency contraception.
If you wish to discuss your contraceptive options or start a new type of contraception – please make an appointment with a GP or our Nurse Practitioners. We offer a full range of contraceptive options including long-acting reversible methods (LARCs). Please see the individual sections below for more information about each method of contraception offered.
For further detailed information about contraception please visit: https://www.sexwise.org.uk/
Emergency Contraception
There are different methods of emergency contraception:
- The ‘morning after pill’ works within 3 days after sex, but it works better the sooner you take it.
- The emergency IUS/IUD (also known as the coil), can be used up to 5 days after sex and is the most effective
If you need the morning-after pill please call UWE Health Center reception (0117 328 6666) before 11 am so that you can be seen by the GP or Nurse Practitioner on duty for a free prescription that day. At the same appointment, it will be possible to discuss other contraception options and if it is necessary for screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia.
If you are under 25 there are other places to get emergency contraception:
- Sexual health clinics
- NHS Walk-In Centres
- 80% of Bristol Pharmacies will also provide free emergency contraception to the under 25s – click here to find your nearest Pharmacies
If you are over 25, emergency contraception pills are still free but you will need a prescription from your surgery or alternatively, you can attend one of Bristol’s NHS Walk-in Centres.
Contraceptive pills
If you are considering starting the contraceptive pill you should see the GP or our Nurse Practitioners to discuss your options and ensure that the type of pill chosen is the safest and most appropriate for you to take. This will involve discussing your past medical history and that of your family. We will also need to weigh you, ask questions about your lifestyle and measure your blood pressure.
We normally issue an initial prescription for 3 months supply of your contraceptive pill. If after 3 months, you are happy with the pill you are taking and have no concerns, you should book an appointment with the UWE practice nurse for a pill check. If there are no problems we will issue 6 months of your contraceptive pill and put it on repeat so that you can have a further prescription without being seen. After this, you will need to have annual pill checks with the practice nurse.
If you have problems you want to discuss, please book an appointment with a GP or the Nurse Practitioner.
Contraceptive implant
Effectiveness
Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Less than one in 100 implant users will get pregnant in a year.
How it works
A small, flexible rod is put under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone progesterone. It stops ovulation (releasing an egg), thickens cervical mucus to stop sperm from reaching an egg, and thins the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting.
How long does it last
It works for 3 years but can be taken out sooner.
How it affects periods
Your periods may stop, be irregular or longer.
How it affects fertility
Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the implant is removed.
How it’s inserted/removed
A doctor or nurse numbs the skin in the inner area of your upper arm with a local anaesthetic and inserts the implant. It takes a few minutes and feels similar to having an injection. To remove it, the doctor or nurse uses a local anaesthetic, makes a small cut and gently pulls the implant out.
More about the contraceptive implant.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
How it works
A small plastic and copper device is put into the uterus (womb).
The copper prevents sperm from surviving and alters your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg. An IUD may also stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus.
How long does it last
It works for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type but it can be taken out sooner. If fitted after age 40, it can stay in place until after menopause when contraception is no longer needed.
How it affects periods
Your periods may be heavier or more prolonged or more painful.
How it affects fertility
Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUD is taken out.
How it’s inserted/removed
A doctor or nurse will insert the IUD. Your appointment will last around 20–30 minutes. Inserting the IUD usually takes about 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people and you may be offered a local anaesthetic. The IUD has threads that hang through the cervix (opening of the uterus) into the top of your vagina. A doctor or nurse can remove the IUD by pulling gently on the threads.
More about the IUD.
Intrauterine system (IUS)
Effectiveness
Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Less than one in 100 IUS users will get pregnant in a year.
How it works
A small, T-shaped plastic device, which releases the hormone progesterone, is put into the uterus (womb). This thins the uterus lining to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
How long does it last
It works for 5 years (Mirena and Kyleena) but can be removed sooner. If fitted after age 45, Mirena can stay in place for contraception until after menopause, when contraception is no longer needed.
How it affects periods
With Mirena, your periods usually become lighter, shorter, and less painful. They may stop altogether. With Kyleena, the smaller, lower hormone IUS your periods are usually weaker, shorter or sometimes stop.
How it affects fertility
Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUS is taken out.
How it is inserted/removed
A doctor or nurse will insert the IUS. Your appointment will last around 20–30 minutes. Inserting the IUS usually takes about 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people and you may be offered a local anaesthetic. The IUS has threads that hang through the cervix (opening of the uterus) into the top of your vagina. A doctor or nurse can remove the IUS by gently pulling the threads.
More about the IUS.
Please see the below pdf files with brief information about each of the methods we can apply:
| Implant | Subdermal-Contraceptive-Implant.pdf |
| IUD coil | Copper-Intrauterine-Device-IUD2.pdf |
| IUS coil | Intrauterine-Contraceptive-System-IUS2.pdf |
More information about contraception can be found here:
| The Surgery: | 0117 965 3102 |
| video guides: | https://old-school-surgery.healthandcarevideos.com/contraception |
| NHS: | https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/which-method-suits-me/ |
| Sexwise | www.sexwise.org.uk |
| Sexual Health Company (FPA) | www.fpa.org.uk |
| Unity Sexual Health | www.unitysexualhealth.co.uk |
| NHS NFP | www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/natural-family-planning |
