Contraceptive choices
Our nurses can discuss your contraceptive options.
We offer:
Contraceptive implants – insertion and removal
Intra uterine contraceptive devices – Copper and Mirena / Kyleena coils
Contraceptive injection – Depo Provera / Sayana Press
Oral contraception – combined and Progesterone only pills
Contraceptive rings and patches
Condoms
Different Ways to Take the Combined Pill
Oral contraceptives are medicines used to prevent pregnancy.
They can have other benefits too. Combination birth control pills keep you from ovulating.
Leaflet
Different Ways to Take the Combined Pill (PDF)
Websites
Contraception Choices
NHS: Contraception
Renewing your current contraceptive prescription
You may already be taking contraception. If you need a repeat prescription, please book an appointment with a nurse for this to be reviewed. Or you can complete the contraceptive pill review form online.
If you are using a combined hormonal contraceptive, we need to check your blood pressure, height and weight at least every year.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections
We can test and arrange treatment for a range of conditions. Or you can attend the Brighton Sexual Health and Contraceptive Service or the walk-in service at Brighton Station Health Centre
Websites
Brighton & Hove Sexual Health and Contraception Service
Practice Plus Brighton Station
Home STI testing service
A kit can be posted to you to check for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis.
Website
STI home test kits
If you are under the age of 25 years old, you can also collect a self-test kit for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea from our reception lobby. Students can also collect these from the student centre.
Condoms
Students can access free condoms, sexual health resources and pregnancy tests on campus.
Website
Contraception and pregnancy : University of Sussex.
Free condoms are also available through the C-card scheme or through the practice.
Emergency Contraception
If you need emergency contraception, you should be seen as soon as possible.
Emergency contraception is either an emergency pill or a copper intrauterine device (IUD, coil).
We can provide both at an appointment.
There are other options; attending a local pharmacy, Brighton Station Health Centre or one of the Sexual Health clinics.
Website
www.brightonsexualhealth.com
Pregnancy
Free pregnancy tests are available for students through the student centre.
Contraception and pregnancy : University of Sussex
You can also be tested at a Sexual Health Clinic.
Website
Pregnancy testing & advice
Unplanned Pregnancy
If you would like to discuss your options, please book a nurse or GP appointment.
If you wish to seek a termination of pregnancy, you can self-refer to the local clinic or call their advice line 0345 300 8090. There are more treatment options if you are within the first 9 weeks of pregnancy so it is best not to delay if you are considering this.
Websites
MSI Reproductive Choices
I’m Pregnant: Options For An Unplanned Or Unwanted Pregnancy
Contraception
Interaction with contraception
It is important to use effective contraception whilst taking a GLP-1 agonist.
These medications should not be used in pregnancy. If planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while on treatment, consult your doctor.
Tirzepatide users
If you are using tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and take a contraceptive pill, you should use a barrier method of contraception (e.g. condoms) in addition to your pill for four weeks after starting the medication, and for four weeks after any increase in dose. Alternatively, you may wish to consider a non-oral form of contraception during treatment.
Other GLP-1 Agonists: there is currently no evidence that semaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, dalaglutide or lixisenatide affect oral contraceptive effectiveness.
Non-oral contraceptive methods
The coil, implant, injection, patch or ring are not affected by GLP-1 agonists and no extra precautions are needed with these methods.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting?
These are common side effects of the GLP-1 agonists and can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. If vomiting occurs within three hours of taking the contraceptive pill, or severe diarrhoea occurs for more than 24 hours, you should follow the guidance for missed pills. You should consider an
alternative non-oral method of contraception or the addition of condoms if diarrhoea or vomiting persists.
Emergency contraception
The effect of GLP-1 agonists on oral emergency contraception if still uncertain. The copper IUD remains the most effective and unaffected options. Always inform your healthcare provider about any GLP-1 agonist when seeking emergency contraception.
Further information
Please find the patient information leaflet here about GLP-1 agonists and contraception.
Leaflet
Patient-information-GLP-1-agonists-and contraception (PDF)
Cervical smears
Anyone aged 25 to 64 with a cervix is eligible for cervical screening. All women aged between 25 and 64 are invited for cervical screening.
Women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for testing every three years, and women aged between 50 and 64 are invited every five years.
Cervical screening helps prevent cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer. The practice offers appointments for cervical smears. Please book a nurse appointment.
If you trans male or non-binary and still have a uterus, you should also attend for screening, even if you do not receive an invitation letter.
NHS population screening: information for trans and non-binary people
For more information on cervical screening:
Cervical smear test
What is Cervical screening (smear test)
Brighton Sexual Health
Brighton and Hove sexual health and contraception service (SHAC) is a free and confidential specialist service open to everyone regardless of age and sexuality.
They offer a mix of appointments and a ‘walk-in and wait’ service at 3 sites across the city.
Phone
01273 523388
Website
Brighton Sexual HealthPractice Plus
Brighton Station Sexual Health Clinic offer a discreet and confidential sexual health clinic every day between the hours of 8am and 7pm, with bookable and walk-in appointments. Walk-in appointments are available between 9am to 11:40am and again from 2:30pm to 6:30pm.
Phone
0333 3210946
Website
Practice PlusFamily Planning Association
A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.
Phone
020 7608 5240
Website
Family Planning AssociationTerence Higgins Trust
Terence Higgins Trust offer HIV and sexual health services in Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.
Phone
01273 764200
Website
www.tht.org.uk
Email
info.brighton@tht.org.ukSexual Health Helpline
The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Phone
0300 123 7123Brook
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.
Website
Brook