Contraception

There are several ways you can get contraception:

1. Contraception delivered by post

Available free to residents of some boroughs, including Kingston. Please check the area in which you live:

• Croydon 
• London SHL
• London & Surrey 

Many contraception methods can also be purchased after an online medical assessment and delivered to you by post.

2. Contraception from your GP / local clinic

If you already get contraception from an NHS provider they may organise a prescription without you needing to visit.

Please contact your current / nearest service – find your nearest service here:

• London SXT: Sexual health information in under a minute 
• Getting it on

3. Contraception from The Wolverton

If the above options are not available to you please contact us and we can offer you an appointment to discuss your contraception over the phone and then arrange for you to collect your medication for the Wolverton.

Contraception from your GP / local clinic

If you already get contraception from an NHS service then please contact them first.

Contraception from The Wolverton

If you normally have your injection elsewhere please ensure you know the date of your last injection – contact us and we can offer an appointment for your injection.

There are several ways you can get contraception:

1. Contraception delivered by post-

Available free to residents of some boroughs:

• Croydon 
• London SHL
• London & Surrey 

2. Contraception from your GP / local clinic-

They may be able to organise a prescription without you having to visit.

3. Contraception from The Wolverton

If the above options are not available to you please contact us and we can arrange an appointment to discuss your contraception needs.

Contraception from your GP / local clinic

Please contact your current / nearest service – find your nearest service here:

• London SXT: Sexual health information in under a minute 
• Getting it on

Contraception from The Wolverton

If your implant needs changing or you wish to have it replaced; please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Information about intrauterine contraception (IUC)

Please read all the information on this webpage regarding replacement or fitting of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUC). The coil will not be fitted on the day if you haven’t read all the information below. 

This page will provide you with the information you need to prepare for a fitting of intrauterine contraception (IUC). IUC is a long-acting reversible method of contraception.

Please note this service is funded to provide care for women requiring contraception. If you want IUC (for example, Mirena) and you are over the age of 55, we are unfortunately unable to provide this care and you should see your GP to arrange this.

It is important that there is no risk of pregnancy when you attend – see step 2 below.

If you want to have a device replaced, it is important that you don’t have sex for seven days before having it removed.

If you currently have a Mirena, this can now be used for contraception for 8 years from the time of insertion (and up to age 55 if fitted when you are 45 or older).

If you have fibroids or have had  difficult or failed IUC insertions we need to talk to you before your fitting appointment to ensure you attend the most appropriate fitting clinic – see step 5 below. Please make a contraception phone appointment by calling 0208 974 9331

We offer two types of IUC; the copper IUD (intrauterine device) or hormonal IUD.

• Due to a current global supply issue with copper IUDs we may not be able to fit the device of your choice.
• We currently have a good supply of the 5-year copper IUDs

Before you book or attend an appointment to have a device fitted, please follow the five steps below.

1. Watch this short video about intrauterine contraception

It is important that you watch this short video before your fitting as it contains important information, see link below.

https://vimeo.com/856332715

 (note this video was made by a different clinic and some details may be different at our service)

Please note the licence for the Mirena has changed, this can now be used for contraception for 8 years from the time of insertion (the CNWL video states the previous licence of  5 years). An appointment is not required post fitting unless there is a problem with the coil.

We may have to reschedule your appointment if we are concerned about risks, such as pregnancy. This video explains any risks and the steps you should take to avoid them.

2. How to make sure you are not at risk of being pregnant at the time of your fitting

We need to make sure that you are not at risk of being pregnant when you attend for a fitting. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we will have to reschedule your fitting.

The timing of your fitting will depend on what contraception you are currently using:

In summary:

If you are currently using a hormonal method (pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection and non-expired implant) then your device can be fitted at any convenient time and you can continue to use your current method correctly until your fitting appointment.

If you are currently using condoms, diaphragm, natural methods of contraception, have an expired implant, expired IUD, or no method then you have two options:

• 1) Abstain from sex for three weeks before your fitting.

or

• 2) Contact us for a short acting method to use up until the time of your fitting e.g. the contraceptive pill, patch, vaginal ring and use for at least four weeks before the fitting. Please contact us if you require one of these methods.

If you need to replace your current IUD and it has not yet expired, then this can be done on any convenient day however, please make sure you abstain from sex for seven days before the fitting. The IUD will not be replaced if you have had sex in the seven days prior to your appointment. 

This is to make sure that you are not at risk of being pregnant if for some reason we cannot fit the new device after the original one is removed. Remember a Mirena can now be used for contraception for 8 years.

3. Self-assessment form

Our self-assessment form will help you to decide if you are ready to have an IUD fitting.

Click here to download Self-assessment form  (will open in MS Word)

Once you have completed the form, please send it to khn-tr.wolvertoncentre@nhs.net.

24 hrs after you have sent the form, please call 0208 974 9331 to book an appointment for the fitting.

Where possible we will fit your device at your appointment. However, there may be reasons why the fitting may need to be deferred. If this happens then the doctor or nurse who is seeing you will explain why.

4. On the day

On the day of your appointment:

• Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment for registration.
• Allow at least two hours for the appointment. Although the procedure does not take this long, some women need a little more time to recover after the procedure.
• We recommend that you eat and take simple pain relief before your appointment e.g. 1g paracetamol and/or 400mg ibuprofen.
• We advise that you do not bring children with you to the appointment.
• Bring sanitary protection, as you may experience some bleeding after the fitting.
• We advise you to avoid driving immediately after your fitting.
• If you plan on driving, please allow up to one hour before your appointment due to limited car parking facilities at the hospital, alternatively use public transport.

Please call 0208 974 9331 to book your appointment once you have submitted the self-assessment form. There may be a delay in booking your appointment if we haven’t received your self-assessment form.

5. Contraception telephone consultations

Please call 0208 974 9331 and ask for a CASH telephone appointment for a pre-fitting discussion if:

• You have a learning disability.
• You require an interpreter.
• You are under 16 years of age.
• You have known complex medical or gynaecological problems. For example, fibroids.
• You have had difficult or failed IUC insertions in the past.
• You have any symptoms (abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain).
• You have any complex medical conditions E.g epilepsy. 

If for any reason you are unable to attend your appointment, please cancel, so that the appointment can be given to someone else.

Contraception from The Wolverton

Coils can only be removed if you have not had sex within the last 7/7 – please consider abstaining from sex before contacting us for a removal.

If you wish to stop using the Implant or Coil but still require contraception it is advisable to start another method before having it removed. Please discuss this during your telephone consultation.

Contraception from your GP / local clinic

If you already get contraception from another NHS provider please contact them first.