Find out about the contraception options available to Derbyshire residents and Derbyshire Community Health Services.
Long acting reversible contraception (LARC)
There are several contraception methods known as LARC: the non-hormonal copper coil (the IUD), the hormonal coil (the IUS), the contraceptive injection (the Depo-Provera) and the hormonal implant.
Implants and coils are free on the NHS. Many other methods of contraception are available for free also including oral contraception.
Condoms
Condoms are available for free from various outlets, including schools, community groups, clinics and online by post.
Condoms can reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) during pregnancy. Some STIs such as chlamydia can have harmful effects if passed onto the baby.
Unplanned pregnancy could mean that condoms were not used during sex, or it could be down to condom failure, and this increases the risk of STIs. Advise that STI screening should be considered to detect, and potentially treat, any sexually transmitted infections.
Some STIs like Chlamydia can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy and can cause complications for the baby such as Pneumonia.
STI testing is free on the NHS. Find out more about how to get an STI test.
Cervical screening
Regular smears - also known as cervical screenings - are a vital preventative tool to help prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer.
It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)
Women and pregnant people with a cervix will receive their first invite to attend a cervical screening before they turn 25.
Individuals aged 25 to 49 receive invitations every 3 years.
Cervical screening is not recommended for any under 25 years old who has not been invited.
Information on other websites
Find out more about the importance of cervical screening. The University hospitals of Derby and Burton run sexual health clinics. Chesterfield has a sexual health advice and support clinic. You can also find a sexual health clinic.
HPV vaccination
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.
The HPV vaccine has been offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008. From September 2019, the vaccine has also been offered to year 8 boys.
This is because the evidence is clear that the HPV vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers. Doses are:
- people under 25 usually have 1 dose
- people aged 25 to 45 usually have 2 doses (given between 6 months and 2 years apart)
- people with a weakened immune system have 3 doses (given over a 12-month period)