EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION should be taken within 72hrs, but is most effective within 24hrs. It can be obtained free from:

• Our Practice Nurses between 9am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Saturdays 10am to 1pm at The Citywise Clinic (under 25s), 1st Floor, No.1 Eastgate, LS2 7LY, telephone 0113 295 4820
• Open our Emergency Contraception advice page

PREGNANCY TESTS can be done for free at the following places (for an effective test you need to wait 2 to three weeks after unprotected sex):

• The CityWise Clinic (under 25s), 1st Floor, No.1 Eastgate, LS2 7LY, telephone 0113 295 4820
• Leeds University Student Union (web site)
• Family Planning Clinics across the City
• The MarketPlace (web site)
• Terrence Higgins Trust (web site)
• Selected pharmacies

SEXUAL HEALTH SCREENING (including HIV test) is available at:

• The Citywise Clinic (under 25s only), 1st Floor, No.1 Eastgate, LS2 7LY, telephone 0113 295 4820 (also open every Saturday 10.00 - 13.00)
• Terrence Higgins Trust (web site), Floor minus one, Oxford Chambers, Oxford Place, LS1 3AX, between 15.45 and 19.00 on Mondays or Thursdays (under 25s only)
• The Centre for Sexual Health, Calverley Street, between 08:45 and 11:45 then 13:00 and 16:45 Mon-Fri (pre-booked appointments only – telephone 0113 3926724 or 0113 3926725 )

CONDOMS
Effectiveness
If used according to instructions they are 98% effective. This means that 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year If it is not used according to instructions
How it works
Made of very thin latex (rubber) or polyurethane it stops sperm from entering the woman's vagina. Our nurses can provide free (male) condoms
Advantages
Easily available. Can protect both partners from sexually transmitted infections. Available for men and women
Disadvantages
Putting it on can interrupt sex

Web site: FPA guide to male and female condoms

COMBINED PILL
Effectiveness
If taken according to instructions it is over 99% effective. This means that less than I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
Contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen - which stop a woman releasing an egg each month (ovulation). Our nurses can prescribe the combined pill
Advantages
Often reduces bleeding, period pain and pre-menstrual tension
Protects against cancer of the ovary and womb and some pelvic infections
Suitable for healthy non-smokers up to the menopause
Disadvantages
Not suitable for all women. Rare but serious side-effects may include blood clots (thrombosis), breast cancer and cervical cancer. Not suitable for smokers or overweight women

Web site: FPA guide to the combined pill

CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
Effectiveness
If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective. This means that I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
The patch releases a daily dose of hormones through the skin, into the bloodstream. It works in the same way as the combined pill. The main way it works is to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation).. Our nurses can prescribe the patch
Advantages
The patch is kept on for a week, makes bleeds regular, lighter, and less painful. It is also shown there is no weight gain with this method of contraception
Disadvantages
May be temporary minor side-effects. Can cause skin irritation, which is why you will be advised to put each new patch in a different location

Web site: FPA guide to the contraceptive patch

NUVARING (VAGINAL RING)
Effectiveness
If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective. This means that I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, transparent, plastic ring. It is placed in the vagina where it releases two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones that women produce in their ovaries and are like those used in the combined oral contraceptive pill. Our nurses can prescribe Nuvaring
Advantages
The ring stays in place for a month, it is easy to insert and remove, makes bleeds regular, lighter, and less painful, and can help with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). It is also shown there is no weight gain with this method of contraception
Disadvantages
May be temporary minor side-effects which can last for several months. May be some bleeding in between periods. Not suitable for smokers or overweight women, or those with a history of deep vein thrombosis

Web site: FPA guide to the contraceptive vaginal ring

PROGESTOGEN ONLY PILL
Effectiveness
If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective. This means that I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
The hormone progestogen, taken at the same time each day, causes changes making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb or for the womb to accept a fertilised egg. In some women it prevents ovulation. Our nurses can prescribe the progestogen only pill
Advantages
Alternative for women who cannot use the combined pill
Disadvantages
May be temporary minor side-effects. Periods may be irregular with some bleeding in between, or be missed. Not suitable for smokers or overweight women

Web site: FPA guide to the progestogen only pill

CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTION
Effectiveness
It is over 99% effective. This means that less than I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
An injection releases the hormone progestogen very slowly into the body This stops a woman from releasing an egg (ovulation) and thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm meeting an egg. Our nurses can give this injection
Advantages
An injection lasts for 12 weeks (Depo-Provera) or 8 weeks (Noristerat). May protect against cancer of the womb. Some protection from pelvic inflammatory disease
Disadvantages
Periods often become irregular or stop. Regular periods and fertility may take a year or more to return after stopping the injections. Some women gain weight. Other possible side-effects include headaches, acne, tender breasts, mood swings and bloating. The injection cannot be removed from the body so any side-effects may continue during this time and for some time afterwards

Web site: FPA guide to the contraceptive injection

IMPLANT
Effectiveness
It is over 99% effective. This means that less than I woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
Small flexible tube(s) are placed under the skin of the inner upper arm. They steadily release a progestogen hormone into the bloodstream to stop ovulation and prevent the sperm and egg meeting. Our nurses run regular Implant fitting sessions
Advantages
Implant works for three. When the implant is taken out a woman's normal level of fertility will return immediately
Disadvantages
Periods are often irregular for at least the first year; with some bleeding in between, or may be missed. May be temporary side-effects such as headaches, mood changes and breast tenderness. Implant is usually put in under a local anaesthetic and no stitches are needed
The area may be tender for a day or two with bruising and some swelling. Most women can feel the implant beneath the skin but it can't be seen. Removal is sometimes difficult

Web site: FPA guide to implants

INTRAUTERINE DEVICES (IUD)
Effectiveness
It is more than 99% effective which means that less than I women in 100 will get pregnant in a year
How it works
A small plastic and/or copper device is put into the womb. It stops sperm meeting an egg or may stop an egg settling in the womb. Our nurses run regular IUD fitting sessions
Advantages
Works as soon as it is put in. Can stay in 5 to 10 years, but can be taken out at any time
Disadvantages
Periods may be heavier or longer and more painful. IUDs are fitted into the womb via the cervix, which is done by a trained nurse or doctor. Sometimes the IUD can be expelled by the womb, so it is important to self-check regularly that it is still in place

Web site: FPA guide to IUD

INTRAUTERINE SYSTEMS (IUS)
Effectiveness
The IUS is over 99 per cent effective. Less than one woman in every 100 women who use the IUS will get pregnant over five years
How it works
A small plastic device is put into the womb. It stops sperm meeting an egg or may stop an egg settling in the womb. Additionally IUS releases the hormone progestogen. Our nurses run regular IUS fitting sessions
Advantages
Works as soon as it is put in. Can stay in up to 5 years, but can be taken out at any time
Disadvantages
IUSs are fitted into the womb via the cervix, which is done by a trained nurse or doctor. Sometimes the IUS can be expelled by the womb, so it is important to self-check regularly that it is still in place

Web site: FPA guide to IUS