I need supplies of contraception

Emergency contraception is used to try to stop pregnancy when you have had unprotected sex (no contraception used) or a contraceptive failure (burst condom, missed pills). It is sometimes known as the “morning after pill” or “Plan B”.

Your doctor or nurse can advise you on which is the best type of emergency contraception for you.

You may be offered a copper intrauterine device (IUD, also known as a copper coil) or a tablet, depending on your situation and your preferences.

It is best to get emergency contraception as soon as possible, so you may prefer to get emergency contraception from:

• • Your GP
  • A pharmacy – some offer this free if you are under 25
    • You can find out your nearest pharmacies that provide emergency contraception by:
      • Texting ‘Pharmacy emergency contraception [and your post code]’ to 80011
    • You will get a text response with the 3 nearest pharmacies with their names, addresses, telephone numbers and distance from the post code you’ve entered.
    • Standard text message rates from your provider may apply when using this service.
  • Unity sexual health services

Watch this video about emergency contraception ( Video transcript available here.)

Click here for more information on emergency contraception.

If you are having an emergency IUD fitted it is important that you complete a brief self-assessment to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the procedure. This form is found at the bottom of this page. Please print off this form and bring it with you to your appointment.

Condoms can be useful for both contraception and preventing STIs. See our Condoms page for more information on external and internal condoms as well as dental dams.

Unity Sexual Health

THT are providing free condoms by post for certain groups of people – click here

C.Card 

If you are 13-24 you can get free condoms through the C card scheme.

This is available at Youth projects, School Drop-Ins, Pharmacies and GP surgeries.

A Cu-IUD or copper intra-uterine device is a coil without hormones.

You can get a Cu-IUD fitted at the following places:

•  Your GP (if there is someone at your practice who fits them)
• Unity Sexual Health services

You can find further information about the Cu-IUD.

It is important that you complete a brief self-assessment to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the procedure. This form is found at the bottom of this page. Please print off this form and bring it with you to your appointment.

An LNG-IUD is a coil with hormones.

There are several types of LNG-IUDs

1. 52mg LNG IUD Mirena – licensed for 8 years for contraception
2. 52mg LNG IUD Levosert and Benilexa OneHanded – licensed for 6 years for contraception

All 52mg LNGIUD may be used for contraception and endometrial protection- in line with national FSRH guidance

You can get a LNG-IUD fitted at the following places:

• Your GP (if there is someone at your practice who fits them)
• Unity Sexual Health service
  • If you are under 20 years old you do not need to be referred by your GP.
  • If you are over 20 years old you will need to ask your GP for a referral letter

You can find further information about the LNG-IUD.

It is important that you complete a brief self-assessment to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the procedure. This form is found at the bottom of this page. Please print off this form and bring it with you to your appointment.

Please see below for the video transcript.

The contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod containing hormones.

You can get an implant fitted at the following places:

• Your GP (if there is someone at your practice who fits them)
• Unity Sexual Health services (you may need a referral letter from your GP)
• Brook (if you are under 20 years old)

You can find more information about the implant on the NHS website

It is important that you complete a brief self-assessment to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the procedure. This form is found at the bottom of this page. Please print off this form and bring it with you to your appointment.

Please see this video about the implant – click here for the video transcript if you have difficulties hearing.

The contraceptive injection contains a hormone.

There are 3 different contraceptive injections available in the UK:

• Depo-Provera – this has to be given by a healthcare professional
• Sayana Press – you can give yourself this injection at home after you have been shown how to do that
• Noristerat (This is not commonly used.)

You can get  Depo-Provera or  Sayana Press from your GP or one of the Unity Sexual Health clinics.

You can find further information about the injection from the NHS website.

The combined oral contraceptive pill is sometimes just called “the pill”, or the COCP . It contains two hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. You can get the COCP  from your GP, or from any of the Unity clinics.

You can find more information about the COC on the NHS website.

The videos below also offer more information about the COCP:

• Your contraceptive options ( video transcript here)
• COCP – an introduction ( video transcript here)
• Risks and Benefits of the COCP ( video transcript here)
• How to take the COCP ( video transcript here)
• What to do if I miss one?

Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a progestogen hormone.

You can get the POP  from your GP, a pharmacy or from any of the Unity clinics.

You can find more information about the POP on the NHS website.

The contraceptive transdermal patch (CTP) contains two hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. This is a patch that goes on the skin.

You can find more information about the patch on the NHS website

The patch is not widely available at Unity sexual health or its partner organisations.  Women who have bowel problems causing diarrhoea, or those who can’t swallow a pill, may be considered.  You are welcome to come and talk to us about it. Your GP may be able to prescribe it, if they feel it is the best method for you.

The combined vaginal ring (CVR) contains two hormones: oestrogen and progestogen. This is a device that is inserted into the vagina.

You can find more information about the ring on the NHS website.

The ring is not widely available Unity sexual health or its partner organisations.  Women who have bowel problems causing diarrhoea, or those who can’t swallow a pill, may be considered.  You are welcome to come and talk to us about it. Your GP may be able to prescribe it, if they feel it is the best method for you.

Fertility awareness methods (FAMs) cover a diverse range of methods:

• Calendar-based methods
• Observation-based methods (using one or more indicators of fertility)
• Technology-based methods which include urinary hormone test kits and monitors.

These are methods which require you to be very motivated and to understand your menstrual cycle very well.

Unity are not able to support this method.

Fertility UK has some very helpful and detailed information on FAMs, as well as downloadable charts to help you get started.

If you are motivated to use FAMs alone, it is highly advisable that you consult with an experienced practitioner. You can find your nearest practitioner here. This is a private service that may incur a charge.

Fertility or menstrual apps for smartphones are not licensed in the UK for use for contraception. Their use is NOT supported by the national Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or Fertility UK.