Sexual Health

NAPAC : Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse

Coronavirus (COVID-19) service update. Everyone feels anxious when there is a lot of uncertainty. If you suffered abuse in childhood you might be finding things especially difficult while coronavirus (COVID-19) is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Website: www.napac.org.uk

Combined Pill

Different ways to take the combined contraceptive pill.

Read the Oxfordshire Sexual Health Service leaflet, about ways of taking the combined contraceptive pill.

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Hope House

Hope House Sexual Health Services provides sexual health care across the county. It is free and available to anyone who needs it.

Website: www.hopehouse.nhs.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 20:00.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

So what is a vulva anyway?

This booklet is here to help you to understand your vulva and how puberty can change it. You might be worried about how you look or feel and it can be difficult to know where to turn for advice. Everyone’s vulva is unique and will change throughout your life.

So what is a vulva anyway leaflet. 

Contraception

We are able to offer a range of contraceptive choices at the surgery. We prescribe:

Combined contraceptive pill

Progesterone only pill

Contraceptive patch

Progesterone Injection – Depo-Provera or Sayana Press

Intrauterine devices- both copper and hormonal coils

Emergency Hormonal Contraception

Please click on the links below to learn more about the options available:

Combined oral contraceptive pill

Progesterone only pill

Combined hormonal patch (Evra)

Depo-Provera injection and Sayana Press

Both are given as an injection every 13 weeks. However, if you prefer you can be shown how to inject Sayana Press yourself and this can be done by you at home. Both injections are as effective as each other with the same side effect profile.

Contraceptive Hormone Implant (Nexplanon)

This is injected under the skin on your arm and lasts for three years.

Intrauterine Device (copper coil or IUD)

These last between five to 10 years depending on the type fitted.

Intrauterine System (IUS)

We offer two types at the practice. Mirena which lasts for five years and has more progesterone (52mg), this is very effective at reducing periods and is used for heavy periods even if contraception is not needed. It is also used as part of an HRT package with the addition of a oestrogen patch/gel/tablet.

Kyleena is smaller and has less progesterone (19.5mg) but also lasts for five years. This can not be used for HRT.

At Aspen Medical Practice we have doctors who are able to fit and replace intrauterine contraceptions (coils) and Nexplanons (contraceptive implants).

Dr Fisher, Dr Meade, Dr Sarkar, Dr Andrews and Dr Wilson all fit, remove and replace contraceptive implants – Nexplanons.

Dr Meade,  Dr Sarkar, and Dr Wilson all fit and replace intrauterine contraceptive devices – copper coils (last five to 10 years).

Hormonal Intrauterine systems (Mirena and Kyleena which last five years).

If you would like to have an implant or coil fitted/replaced please ask reception to book you a telephone consultation with one of the above doctors who will talk through the process and book an appointment.

Please see below our information leaflet prior to having your coil fitted:

What you need to know

If you would like to have a coil removed and require ongoing contraception it is best to have a telephone consultation or see a doctor first to initiate this a week before the coil is removed to avoid any gaps in your contraception. Please see the above leaflet.

If you wish to have your coil removed because you no longer require contraception or are trying to conceive please book an appointment with:

Dr Holdcroft, Dr Kempfen, Dr Kuok, Dr Kanan, Dr Meade, Dr Sarkar, Dr Wilson, Dr Quentin, Dr Fisher, and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Sarah Ron.

Emergency Hormonal Contraception

There are two types of Emergency oral hormonal contraception that can be given but the gold standard for preventing unwanted pregnancy is the IUD (copper coil).

These can be fitted up to five days after an episode of unprotected Sexual intercourse or up to five days after the calculated ovulation date. These are fitted by Hope House. They can be contacted on 0300 421 6500.

It is important that you advise the receptionist you need a coil for EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION so that you can be prioritised.

Please contact reception at The Aspen Medical Practice for a telephone consultation on the day if you require Emergency Hormonal Contraception.

Emergency hormonal Contraception can also be provided by your local pharmacy and Hope House.

Emergency contraception – your guide

Where can I get emergency contraception?

Sexwise: Help during COVID-19

For information on the availability of sexual & reproductive health and other health services during COVID-19. Sexwise also provides useful contact details for health services.

Website: www.sexwise.org.uk/help-during-covid-19

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

If you, or someone you know, has been the victim of sexual assault or rape, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Hope House, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, is there to help.

Helpline: 0300 421 8400

Telephone: 01452 754390, 0800 090 1234 (out of hours)

Website: www.hopehousesarc.nhs.uk

Email: hopehousesarc@glos-care.nhs.uk