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Drs Pillai, Pollard, Jetty & Matthews have special interest in this area of health care.
Local Infection testing (GUM) Clinics
Local Family Planning Clinics
Clinics providing Emergency Contraception
Confidential Contraceptive Advice for Young People
Family Planning Association Website
FPA Helpline
0845 310 1334
9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
· Ring for confidential information on:
· contraception
· sexually transmitted infections
· planning a pregnancy
· pregnancy choices
· sexual wellbeing.
Use their 24hr a day
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Excellent FPA Leaflets
The Pill
Start your first packet of pills on the first day of your cycle (the day your period starts) or within the first 2 days. If you do this you are immediately safe. If you start the pill any later than this you will not be safe until you have taken 7 pills. The first method of starting is preferable both for cycle control and for contraceptive effectiveness.
Take one pill daily for 21 days (3 weeks). Then stop the pills for 7 days (1 week). Your period usually starts a few days after stopping the pills. It is usually shorter and lighter than your normal period and occasionally there is no bleeding. You are still safe in your pill-free week.
Missed periods - Providing you have taken all your pills correctly and have not had any vomiting or diarrhoea or taken any other medication (especially antibiotics), this does not matter. Start your next packet of pills as usual after your pill-free week.
Missed Pills - If you forget a pill, take it as soon as you remember and take your next pill at your usual time. You are safe providing you do not take a pill more than 12 hours late.
If you are more than 12 hours late you should use another method of birth control or not have intercourse for the next 7 days and at the same time continue to take your pills. If the 7 unsafe days following a forgotten pill run beyond the end of your packet, start your next packet immediately after finishing your present packet i.e. miss out your pill-free week and have your period at the end of your next packet. Missed pills may cause bleeding sometimes when taken only a few hours late. Continue to take your pills.
Spotting or Bleeding - This is common during your first one or two packets and may occur at other times. Providing you have taken all your pills correctly and not had vomiting or diarrhoea or taken any other medicines, spotting is a nuisance but you are not unsafe. Report any irregular bleeding at your next clinic visit.
Vomiting and Diarrhoea - This may prevent the absorption of the pill from your stomach into your bloodstream. It is like missing a pill, and there may be some bleeding. You should use another method of birth control or not have intercourse whilst you have the stomach upset and for the following 7 days. Continue to take your pills. If during any of these unsafe days you come to the end of your packet, start your next packet immediately after finishing your present packet, i.e. miss out your pill-free week and have your period at the end of your next packet.
Antibiotics - Some antibiotics reduce the effect of the pill in some people. You should use another method of birth control or not have intercourse during the course of antibiotics and for 7 days afterwards. If during any of these unsafe days you come to the end of your packet, start your next packet immediately after finishing your present packet, i.e. miss out your pill-free week and have your period at the end of your next packet.
Other Medicines - There are some other medicines which might make the pill less effective so always tell your doctor when you are taking other medicines, or ask your pharmacist.
Do not stop taking the pill without first seeking advice from the Medical Centre.
For more information regarding all aspects of sexual health, including smears, visit the website www.drthom.com.
For more information about a termination of pregnancy please check www.mariestopes.co.uk, www.bpas.org and www.brook.org.uk.
Links:
AVERTing HIV & AIDS - AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, with the aim of AVERTing HIV and AIDS worldwide.
HIV & AIDS - NHSDIRECT INFO
Terrence Higgins Trust - Sexual Health Check-up in Coventry
YouChoose - Check your HIV Status
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.
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