Let's Talk About Sex!
Your GP practice is there to provide honest advice about contraception, pregnancy, STIs, pleasure and advising on how to manage problems
You can expect safe friendly, non-judgemental help and services at our practices, whatever your gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your GP or practice nurse if you’re worrying about anything - from how to have pleasurable sex to how to avoid unwanted pregnancy! They are highly-trained to help.
You can look at www.nhs.uk for lots more information about how to avoid unwanted pregnancy, have safer sex and avoid or manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs) options.
Your GP practice can help you avoid unwanted pregnancy and ensure sex is still enjoyable.
It can be tricky to know which type of contraception to choose that will protect you from pregnancy.
Contraception Choices - What's right for me? This online tool can help you choose which contraceptive method might suit you best.
You can find more information on contraception methods here
Many women are now choosing Long Acting Reversible Contraception known as LARC (which include coils and implants). These are considered to be the most effective method of preventing pregnancy.
More information about LARC can be found here:
- Intrauterine device (IUD) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Intrauterine system (IUS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Contraceptive implant - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You can also watch these helpful videos about the implant and IUD/IUS (with thanks to Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust).
If you are registered with a GP in City and Hackney, you can get your coil or implant fitted at a GP surgery near you.
Ask your GP practice first (rather than going to a sexual health clinic such as the Clifden Centre or the Ivy Centre) for LARC options available at the practice. If your GP practice doesn’t do coil or implant fittings or removals, they may be able to book you an appointment at one of the following practices:
- Statham Grove Surgery - https://www.stathamgrovesurgery.co.uk/lac-self-referral-form
- Nightingale Practice – https://www.thenightingalepractice.co.uk/larc-coil-implant-self-referral-form
- Lower Clapton General Practice - https://www.lowerclapton.nhs.uk/long-acting-contraception-larc/
- Lawson Practice – https://lawsonpractice.nhs.uk/lac-self-referral-form/
- Spring Hill Practice – https://springhillpractice.nhs.uk/lac-self-referral-form/
Patients can also self-refer to any of the above LARC hubs of their choice in City and Hackney by using the above links.
Contraception is also available online through Sexual Health London which is a discreet online sexual health service for Londoners.
Condoms help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Condoms are up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if you use them correctly every time you have sex.
Using a condom every time you have sex is the best way to protect you and your partner from HIV and other STIs.
You can find more information about condoms here
PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication taken by HIV negative people before sex (usually daily) to lower the risk of contracting HIV. This can be accessed from sexual health clinics https://www.shl.uk/prep
PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a emergency medication taken after sex when you believe you may have been exposed to HIV. This can be accessed from sexual health clinics (or A&E when they are closed) https://www.shl.uk/support/pep-and-prep
Worried about an STI?
If you are worried you might have caught a sexually -transmitted infection (STI), contact your GP practice for confidential, sensitive help.
All practices can get you the right tests and help you make sure sexual partners are notified, if you test positive.
If you are over the age of 16 you can also order a free STI test kit to be delivered to your home via this website - http://www.shl.uk. You complete a simple form online, order the kit and your results are sent to you by text or email. It is simple, fast and secure!
Chlamydia testing: GPs and practice nurses will often offer chlamydia screening to people seeking sexual health advice. If you are between the age of 15 and 24 years old it is recommended that you have a Chlamydia test annually or on every change of person you have sex with.
HIV testing: If you are a newly registered patient with a practice feel free to ask for an HIV test.
Cervical screening: All women aged 25 – 65 are entitled to participate in the national cervical screening programme - www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening. There is information for all eligible groups including trans women, women who have undergone surgery, and had the HPV vaccination.
You can find more information about STIs here.