Contraception
Contraception is used to prevent unintended pregnancies. There are many types to choose from and different methods suit different people. Some require a procedure to have them fitted and removed.
Condoms are the only method of contraception which will help to prevent pregnancy and protect you against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Leicester Sexual Health provides a wide range of free and confidential contraception methods, including information and advice on which may be best suited for you. For more information please contact us.
Click on a contraception method to find out more information.
Contraception Methods
Implant
A small rod, which releases a progestogen hormone, is placed in the upper arm under the skin
- Well over 99% effective
- Lasts up to 3 years
- Periods can stay the same, stop, or be frequent or irregular
Available from our sexual health services (all implant appointments must be booked online). Some GPs are able to fit and remove implants, ask your GP if this is a service they offer.
Please Note: This contraception method involves a minor procedure to be inserted, and you will need an advance appointment. You will need to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to allow for necessary investigations. This will include a urine sample and/or blood pressure check. Should you not arrive in time to do this, we may not be able to complete your procedure during your scheduled appointment.
Read more about the contraceptive implant on the Contraception Choices website.
Injection
A progestogen hormone is injected into the muscle normally your buttock.
- Over 99% effective (if you get your repeat injections on time, as advised)
- Lasts for 14 weeks
- Periods usually stop - this may take 2 or 3 injections
Available from our sexual health services (you can book online). All GPs are able to offer the contraceptive injection.
Read more about the contraceptive injection on the Contraception Choices website.
IUD (also known as the copper coil)
A small plastic and copper device is placed in the uterus
- Well over 99% effective
- Lasts for up to 10 years
- Periods may stay the same, or be heavier/longer/more painful
- Fitting involves a small genital procedure
Available from our sexual health services (all IUD appointments must be booked online). Some GPs are able to fit an IUD, ask your GP if this is a service they offer.
All GPs and Practice Nurses can remove an IUD.
Appointments:
This contraception method involves a minor procedure to be inserted, and you will need an advance appointment. You will need to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to allow for necessary investigations. This will include a urine sample and/or blood pressure check. Should you not arrive in time to do this, we may not be able to complete your procedure during your scheduled appointment.
We have male and female sexual health staff working in our clinic, who carry out intimate examinations and coil procedures. We cannot guarantee whether your clinician will be male or female on the day.
Fitting/Replacement:
We require a minimum waiting period of 3 weeks for coil fitting and/or replacement appointments. This is to avoid any potential risk of pregnancy. We advise you to avoid having sex, even protected, for this three-week period when booking your appointment. If there is any risk you could be pregnant when you attend your appointment, your device may not be fitted.
Read more about the IUD on the Contraception Choices website.
IUS (also known as the hormone coil)
A small T-shaped plastic device is placed in the uterus
- Well over 99% effective
- Lasts up to 8 years depending on type fitted
- Periods may be lighter or stop
- Fitting involves a small genital procedure
Available from our sexual health services (all IUS appointments must be booked online). Some GPs are able to fit an IUS, ask your GP if this is a service they offer.
All GPs and Practice Nurses can remove an IUS.
Important Update (52mg IUS):
- Some types of hormonal coil (IUS) are now licensed for 8 years for contraception purposes. These are:
- Mirena
- Benilexa
- Levosert - For patients who have a 52mg IUS already, this means that it can remain in place, and be effective, for 8 years from the fitting date. We will from now be refitting 52mg IUS around the 8 year date.
If a 52mg IUS has been fitted for control of bleeding, part of HRT, or treatment for any other gynaecological problem, this does NOT apply.
The new advice does NOT apply to lower dose IUS (Kyleena and Jaydess).
Please note that we only fit/remove coils for contraceptive purposes; if you need a coil for non-contraceptive purposes, please ask your doctor to refer you to our service via PRISM.
Appointments:
This contraception method involves a minor procedure to be inserted, and you will need an advance appointment. You will need to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to allow for necessary investigations. This will include a urine sample and/or blood pressure check. Should you not arrive in time to do this, we may not be able to complete your procedure during your scheduled appointment.
We have male and female sexual health staff working in our clinic, who carry out intimate examinations and coil procedures. We cannot guarantee whether your clinician will be male or female on the day.
Fitting/Replacement:
We require a minimum waiting period of 3 weeks for coil fitting and/or replacement appointments. This is to avoid any potential risk of pregnancy. We advise you to avoid having sex, even protected, for this three-week period when booking your appointment. If there is any risk you could be pregnant when you attend your appointment, your device may not be fitted.
Read more about the IUS on the Contraception Choices website.
Combined Pill
The pill contains oestrogen and a progestogen hormone and is taken by mouth
- 91% effective with typical use
- Taken every day for at least 3 weeks, with or without a break
- You can control when or whether you bleed, and it often makes periods lighter and less painful
Read more about the combined pill on the Contraception Choices website.
Order more pills online
Order your contraceptive pills online here.
We have a blood pressure machine in the reception areas at our Haymarket Health and Loughborough Health Centre Clinics for your own use to include when ordering online pills only.
The pills prescribed are specific so please ensure that if you want more of the same pill, you check the pill name or ingredients on the website link above. If it is not the same please contact our switchboard for a telephone appointment on Tel: 0300 124 0102.
Collect contraceptive pills from your local pharmacy
Did you know you can now arrange to collect oral contraception directly from selected local pharmacies?
A pharmacist may be able to supply the contraceptive pill if you need to:
- start using the contraceptive pill for the first time
- start the contraceptive pill again after a break from taking it
- get a supply of the contraceptive pill if it’s already been prescribed to you
Click here to find a pharmacy near you that offers oral contraception.
Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)
The pill contains a progestogen hormone and is taken by mouth
- 91% effective with typical use
- You need to take it every day, continuously
- Periods can stay the same, stop, or be frequent or irregular
Read more about the progestogen-only pill on the Contraception Choices website.
Order more pills online
Order your contraceptive pills online here.
We have a blood pressure machine in the reception areas at our Haymarket Health and Loughborough Health Centre Clinics for your own use to include when ordering online pills only.
The pills prescribed are specific so please ensure that if you want more of the same pill, you check the pill name or ingredients on the website link above. If it is not the same please contact our switchboard for a telephone appointment on Tel: 0300 124 0102.
Collect more pills from your local pharmacy
Did you know you can now arrange to collect oral contraception directly from selected local pharmacies?
Click here to find a pharmacy near you that offers oral contraception.
Condoms (for penis)
Thin latex or plastic sheath is put over the erect penis
- Around 85% effective with typical use
- Protects against some STIs
- Need to remember before sex
- Get free and easy access to condoms with a C-Card
Read more about condoms on the Contraception Choices website.
Condoms (for vagina)
Thin plastic sheath that lines the vagina and covers the outer area of the vagina
- Around 85% effective if used correctly
- Protects against STIs
- Need to remember before sex
- Periods won’t change
Read more about condoms on the Contraception Choices website.
Diaphragms
A cup made of silicone is put at the top of the vagina, to cover the cervix.
- It is used with spermicide.
- Around 88% effective with typical use
- Most people can use them, as they don’t contain hormones
- You insert the diaphragm up to 3 hours before sex, and remove 6 hours after sex
Read more about diaphragms on the Contraception Choices website.
Patch
A small, thin, beige coloured patch, which you stick on your skin and it releases oestrogen and a progestogen hormone.
- 91% effective with typical use
- Used every week for at least 3 weeks, with or without a break
- You can control when or whether you bleed, and it often makes periods lighter and less painful
Read more about the contraceptive patch on the Contraception Choices website.
Vaginal Ring
A soft plastic ring is put in, and removed from, the vagina by you. It releases oestrogen and a progestogen hormone.
- 91% effective with typical use
- Each ring lasts for three weeks, and can be used with or without a break
- You can control when or whether you bleed, and it often makes periods lighter and less painful
Read more about the vaginal ring on the Contraception Choices website.
Fertility Awareness Method
(sometimes known as “natural family planning”)
Ovulation date is predicted based on signs of fertility such as body temperature, type of vaginal discharge, and recording period dates over several months. Unprotected sex is then avoided on most fertile days.
- Up to 76% effective
- Can be tricky to learn, and daily monitoring is needed
- Unsuitable if cycles are irregular or unpredictable
- Apps which only record period dates are not reliable enough to be used for contraception; most are unregulated
Read more about the fertility awareness method on the Contraception Choices website
Withdrawal Method
The partner pulls the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation.
- Up to 78% effective
- Often fails due to small amounts of sperm being released before ejaculation
- Can be difficult to do it every time
Read more about the withdrawal method on the Contraception Choices website
