If you already have a C.Card, you can go to any C.Card point and pick up free condoms. You can do this 10 times before you need a new card.
COVID UPDATE December 2020 : Our testing and access pathways have changed and will continue to change as a result of COVID-19. We will keep this page updated with current pathways
Contraception can be accessed from the following services:
- Unity Sexual Health services – see here for details of how to access services during COVID – not all clinics can offer all types of contraception.
- If they can’t provide the method that you would like, Unity staff will be able to help you find a service that can and offer you an alternative method in the meantime.
- Your GP or practice nurse
- Brook
- Your School nurse
- NHS walk-in centres
- Pharmacies (emergency contraception and condoms only)
- 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 with the 3 nearest pharmacies with their names, addresses, telephone numbers and distance.
- Standard text message rates from your provider may apply when using this service.
- You can find out your nearest pharmacies that provide emergency contraception by texting:
- Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is used to try to stop pregnancy when there has been unprotected sex (no contraception used) or a contraceptive failure (burst condom, missed pills). It is sometimes known as the “morning after pill”. Emergency contraception is provided by all of our clinics, and is free.
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:
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- Your GP
- An NHS walk-in centre
- 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.
- You can find out your nearest pharmacies that provide emergency contraception by:
- Watch this video about emergency contraception ( Video transcript available here.)
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- Condoms
Sexual health service
You can pop into any of the sexual health clinics and ask for condoms.
Click on Locate A Service to find your nearest sexual health clinic.
C.Card
If you are 13-19 you can get free condoms through the C. This is available at Sexual Health clinic, Youth projects, School Drop-Ins, Pharmacies and GP surgeries.
When you register for a C.Card you will have a confidential appointment with a trained C.Card worker, who will:
Click here to find your nearest C:Card point in Bristol.Click here to find your nearest C:Card point in North Somerset.Click here to find your nearest C:Card point in South Gloucestershire.For more information on C.Card click hereCOVID UPDATE December 2020 : Some C card outlets are not operating as usual. It is best to ring ahead if the service is running. - Copper Coil (Intra-uterine Device IUD)
An IUD is a coil without hormones.
You can get an 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 IUD from the SexWise 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.
- Hormone-releasing coil (Intra-uterine System IUS)
An IUS is a coil with hormones.
You can get an IUS 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 IUS from the SexWise 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 below for the video transcript.
- Implant
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 theSexWise website.
Please see this video about the implant – click here for the video transcript if you have difficulties hearing.
- Injection
The contraceptive injection contains a hormone.
There are 3 different contraceptive injections available in the UK:
- Depo-Provera
- Sayana Press
- 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 SexWise website.
- Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP)
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 one of the Unity Sexual Health clinics.
You can find more information about the COC on the SexWise 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 pill (POP) or mini-pill
Progestogen-only pills (POPs) contain a progestogen hormone.
You can get the POP from your GP, or from any of the Unity Sexual Health clinics.
You can find more information about the POP on the SexWise website
- Patch
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 SexWise 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.
- Vaginal Ring
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 SexWise 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
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 Apps
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.