Contraception
So you know you don’t want to have a baby just yet, that’s where contraception comes in. Contraception helps you to choose when and if you want to have a baby.
Most people have heard of condoms and the pill but there’s more to it than that.
At the moment, the male condom is the only type of contraception that also protects both men and women from sexually transmitted infections too. You can get free condoms from various places in Peterborough through the C-card scheme
Find out more about the different types of contraception and where you can get them here.
Condoms & C-Card
Contraceptive implants
Contraceptive injections
Contraceptive patches
Diaphragms (caps)
Emergency Contraception/ ‘Morning after’ pill
IUD
Combined oral pill
Progesterone only pill
Condoms stop sperm from reaching an egg and therefore help to prevent pregnancy. If used correctly, male condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. Female condoms are thought to be around 95% effective.
Condoms for both males and females are available in the UK and you can get condoms free in Peterborough. The male condom fits over a man’s erect penis. The female condom is put into the vagina. It‘s up to you and your partner which type of condom you choose to use.
Male condoms are the only contraception which can also help to stop sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, being passed from one person to another.
Condoms are made from very thin latex rubber or plastic. If you use a condom check the pack has either the British BSI Kitemark or the European CE symbol. And don’t forget to check the expiry date, as out of date condoms shouldn’t be used.
Where to get free condoms in Peterborough
C-Card – register for yours and get free condoms
The C-Card stands for Condom-Card. Any male or female, 24 years or under can get free condoms from a number places in Peterborough just by registering for one. Under the C-Card scheme you can get plain, flavoured, and stronger condoms, along with lube.
To register for your free condoms, just visit one of the C-Card outlets in Peterborough. Once you’ve registered you’ll be given your card and can use it straight away. The C-card is small enough to fit in your purse or wallet and you can collect up to 6 packs of condoms before you’ll have to re-register. It’s as easy as that and cheaper than buying your own!
How to register for C-card to get free condoms in Peterborough
A contraceptive implant can last for up to three years and is over 99% reliable in preventing pregnancy. However, it doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections and therefore you should still use a condom.
There is only one type of implant used in the UK and its called Implanon. It is inserted under the skin on your upper arm at any time during your menstrual cycle by a nurse or doctor. You’ll have your arm numbed first and the most you’ll need after is a plaster – no need for stitches.
Implanon works for up to three years before it needs to be replaced and can be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse again (after numbing your arm again). Once it’s removed you could get pregnant so don’t forget to use some other contraception.
Where can I get a contraceptive implant in Peterborough?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough
The contraceptive injections can last from 8-12 weeks depending which type you have. It’s also over 99% reliable in preventing pregnancy. However, it doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections and therefore should be used along with a condom.
The injection is usually given in your bottom, but sometimes it can be injected into a muscle in your upper arm. In the UK there are currently two types of injection available:
- Depo-Provera is the most commonly used injection and is effective for up to 12 weeks
- Noristerat is effective for up to eight weeks
If you don’t want to get pregnant you’ll need to keep having the injections regularly.
Where can I get a contraceptive injection in Peterborough?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough
The contraceptive patch is a very reliable contraception which is worn by a woman to help stop her from becoming pregnant. Unlike condoms, the contraceptive patch does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted infections and therefore should be used along with a condom.
The patch is very easy is to use. You stick it on a clean, dry, hair-free area of your body which will not be rubbed by tight clothing. It protects you from pregnancy by introducing hormones into your body which prevent ovaries releasing an egg. The patch needs to be changed for a new one each week.
Where can I get a contraceptive patch in Peterborough?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough
Diaphragms and caps used with spermicide (a safe chemical which kills sperm) are estimated to be 92% - 96% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Diaphragms and caps are made of latex or silicone. Diaphragms are soft domes and the cap is slightly smaller. They both fit inside your vagina and stop sperm passing into the entrance of your womb. But only if used together with spermicide.
As with other contraception, they only provide limited protection against sexually transmitted infections and therefore should be used along with a condom.
Where can I get a diaphragm/cap?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough
Emergency Contraception / ‘morning after’ pill
The emergency contraceptive pill, also known as the ‘morning after’ pill can be taken up to 72 hours after you have had unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy but should not be used as a regular method of contraception. If it is taken within 24 hours of sex then it is effective in preventing 95% of pregnancies. The success rate of the emergency contraceptive pill is lowered the later it is taken.
The emergency contraceptive pill is available free of charge from your GP and most sexual health clinics. If you are over 16 years old you can also buy the emergency contraceptive pill over the counter from pharmacies for around £26.
Emergency Hormonal Contraception can be obtained from the following locations:
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Contraception and Sexual Health: Rivergate Primary Care Centre : For more information phone: 01733 317888
Walk in Centre: City Care Centre, Thorpe Road
Drop- in: open from 7am – 10pm every day of the week.
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General Practice: Patients should call their practice and make it clear that they need to be seen ASAP
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Those over 16 may be able to purchase EHC from pharmacies at a cost of around £25.
From August 1st 2010 EHC will no longer available free of charge in pharmacies.
An IUD, previously called a coil or a loop, is a small, t-shaped contraceptive made from plastic and copper that fits inside the womb. It is a long-lasting method of contraception and therefore is very effective with a 98 – 99% success rate at preventing pregnancy. However, an IUD does not protect you against STIs and therefore should be used along with a condom.
IUDs need to be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse and can stay in the womb for five to 10 years depending on the type used.
An IUD stops sperm from reaching the egg by releasing copper into the body which changes the make up of the fluids in the womb and fallopian tubes. This then prevents sperm from fertilising eggs.
Where can I get an IUD in Peterborough?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough
Contraceptive Pill – ‘the pill’
There are two types of contraceptive pill available - the combined pill and the progestogen only pill.
Combined Contraceptive Pill
The combined contraceptive pill is an oral contraception (in tablets) that is taken to help stop a woman from getting pregnant. It contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen -and is one of the most effective methods of contraception. However, the combined pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and therefore should be used along with a condom.
You take the pill for a certain number of days each month and need to remember to take it. This depends on the type of pill you have been prescribed. By doing this, the combined pill starts to work by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries each month as well as thickening the mucus in the neck of the womb so it is harder for sperm to reach an egg. The combined pill also thins the lining of the womb so it is harder for a fertilised egg to implant. On the 'break' days where you do not take the combined pill, you may have a period.
There are various types of combined pill available.
Progestogen only contraceptive pill
The progestogen only oral contraceptive pill (in tablets) is also a form of contraception which is taken to help stop a woman from getting pregnant. Unlike the combined pill, this oral contraceptive only contains progestogen which makes it an option for those who are unable to take the combined pill. This pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and therefore should be used along with a condom.
There are two types of progestogen only pill and they vary by the specific times of the day in which they need to be taken. This pill works in a similar way to the combined pill by thickening the mucus in the neck of the womb so it is harder for sperm to reach an egg and also making the lining of the womb thinner to make it harder for a fertilised egg to implant. Sometimes the progestogen only pill will prevent an egg being released from the ovaries.
Where can I get the contraceptive pill or get more information on one suitable for me?
Find free contraception and sexual health services in Peterborough