Contraception

Quote / Testimonial:

You can see any GP at the practice to discuss contraception whether you’re starting a new, because you wish to make a change or need to have your annual review.

It is worthwhile to have a look at this website link prior to an appointment so you know the options that are available and this may help you make an informed choice during your appointment as it can be challenging when there are so many possibilities. https://patient.info/health/contraception-methods

We request that patients prescribed any regular contraceptives should be seen on at least an annual basis.

If you are started on a new contraceptive we will want to review you at 3 months prior to initiating your ongoing repeat prescriptions of up to six months at a time. We will then ask to review you on an annual basis to ensure this is the correct contraceptive choice for you and there are no reasons to change to an alternative. 

Some contraceptives require up to date BMI (height and weight calculations) and Blood pressure measurements and this will be undertaken at your review.

If you are running low on your prescription and will run out of your medication prior to seeing the doctor for your review – please contact the surgery informing us of this and we will issue you a shortened script and book your review appointment at that time. If it is a weekend and you are going to run out of your contraceptive pill please contact your regular pharmacy as they will be able to issue you emergency cover of a prescription to ensure you don’t have any period of time without your medication. (If you have missed a pill please look at the missed pill guidance information.)
When prescribed the Combined Contraceptive Pill or Progesterone Only Pill it is important to make sure you take your tablets as prescribed and at the same time every day.

If you do every miss a pill please review the advice below as it is different for the different preparations:
Combined Contraceptive Pill – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/miss-combined-pill/
Progesterone Only Pill – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/miss-progestogen-only-pill/

If you are still unsure then don’t hesitate to speak with your local pharmacist or you can contact us and we will be able to advise what to do.
If you think you need to consider emergency contraception then the sooner you act on this the more options you will have but most importantly this choice will be most effective.

Please see the following link to review the options and if you need to consider this: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/emergency-contraception/

In hours you can talk to a doctor regarding this, out of hours to avoid delay you are best to contact the pharmacy teams – you can look online to see the nearest pharmacy that can issue emergency contraception (please be aware not all pharmacies are able to do this.)