Main phone number: 01754 897000

Email Address: leccg.c83019@nhs.net

Lines open at 8am for appointments

Contraception

Beacon Medical Practice offers a full range of contraceptive services including contraceptive implants as well as coils (mirena and copper). Any of the GP’s or Practice Nurses are able to discuss contraceptive choices and provide follow up care.

In addition to prescribing the contraceptive pill for women, our Practice offers various other methods of contraceptive services.

Contraceptive services are free and confidential, including to people under 16 as long as they are mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved. There are strict guidelines for health care professionals who work with people under 16.

There are lots of methods of contraception to choose from, so don’t be put off if the first thing you use isn’t quite right for you; you can always try another one.

  • Combined pill
  • Progestogen-only pill
  • Condoms
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Contraceptive patch
  • Intrauterine device (IUD)

There are two permanent methods of contraception:

  • Female sterilisation.
  • Male sterilisation (vasectomy).

In addition to your chosen method of contraception, you need to use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect your and your partner’s health. Always buy condoms that have the CE mark on the packet. This means that they’ve been tested to the high European safety standards. Condoms that don’t have the CE mark won’t meet these standards.

Emergency Contraception
Patients requiring emergency contraceptive advice and treatment should be seen within 72 hours but benefit from starting treatment within 24 hours in the case of pills or at a maximum of 5 days for IUD fitting. Please let the receptionist know you need emergency advice if you are told there is no available appointment.

Please remember for patients over the age of 16 years that emergency contraception is available over the counter at local pharmacies.

Contraception and Menopause
Women who have sex with men and don’t want to get pregnant need to keep on using contraception until they haven’t had a period for more than 12 months (menopause).

This is because periods can become irregular before they stop entirely, and pregnancy can still occur during this time.

Date published: 15th June, 2017
Date last updated: 6th October, 2022