Contraception can be accessed from the following services:
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”. 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:
Click here for more information on emergency contraception.
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.
THT are providing free condoms by post for certain groups of people – click here
If you are 13-19 you can get free condoms through the C card scheme.
This is available at Youth projects, School Drop-Ins, Pharmacies and GP surgeries.
An IUD is a coil without hormones.
You can get an IUD fitted at the following places:
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.
An IUS is a coil with hormones.
You can get an IUS fitted at the following places:
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.
The contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod containing hormones.
You can get an implant fitted at the following places:
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.
The contraceptive injection contains a hormone.
There are 3 different contraceptive injections available in the UK:
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.
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 SexWise website.
The videos below also offer more information about the COCP:
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 SexWise 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 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.
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 (FAMs) cover a diverse range of methods:
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.