Introduction
Sex can be a positive, pleasurable and life enhancing part of our experience and sexual health is central to everyone’s health regardless of gender or sexuality it is good to take time to understand the issues that surround contraception and sexually transmitted infections – STIs.
Somerset-Wide Integrated Sexual Health Service is a free and confidential service and offers a full range of contraceptive methods, STI testing and treatment
The SWISH service has a dedicated website that lists useful information, and all clinic locations and times.
Contraception
Emergency Hormonal Contraception Pill
The sooner you take emergency contraception the better it will work.
There are two kinds of the emergency contraceptive pill – these are sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’.
- Levonorgestrel (Levonelle) can be taken up to 96 hours – 4 days – after unprotected sex.
- Ulipristal Acetate (ellaOne) can be taken up to 120 hours – 5 days – after unprotected sex.
Both pills work by preventing or delaying ovulation.
You can get emergency contraception free from:
- Your GP
- SWISH Services
- Many Pharmacists
- Minor Injury Units
Copper intrauterine device – IUD (Coil)
You can choose to have an IUD – coil – fitted, the IUD is a small device that is fitted in your uterus by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but it needs to be fitted within five days – 120 hours – of unprotected sex or up to five days after the earliest time you could have released an egg – ovulated.
You can have an IUD fitted for emergency contraception at most GP surgeries and it’s also available at SWISH Services.
Chlamydia Screening
Chlamydia can affect anyone, however, 1 in 12 sexually active young people between 15 and 24 will have chlamydia. The SWISH website gives more information and how to access a free screening kit.
Eddystone Trust
The Eddystone Trust is an independent organisation providing targeted prevention work and sexual health promotion and provides information and support for anyone affected by HIV in Somerset. www.eddystone.org.uk