All of our doctors and nurses will be able to discuss contraception with you.
Contraceptive Pill
If you wish to start a contraceptive pill please make an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You will need to review your contraceptive pill annually so please make an appointment with the Practice Nurse before you run out of medication.
Combined Pill (COCP) Progesterone Only Pill (POP)
Long Acting Reversible Contraception (Coils/Implants/Injection)
The practice offers a service for the insertion of contraceptive coils with Dr Barker and Dr Cooper, and the insertion of contraceptive implants (Nexplanon) with Dr Cairns, Dr Barker, Dr Cooper and Dr Dosekun. Any patient wishing to make use of this service should make an appointment with either of these doctors to discuss their options before an appointment for insertion is arranged.
The contraceptive injection, Depo-Provera, can be given by our Practice Nurses. There is also a injection which can be self-administered at home called Sayana Press. Please arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse to discuss this further.
For more information on long active reversible contraception check out the links below.
Hormonal IUD (coil) (Please note that the Mirena coil is now licensed for up to 8 years, unless used as part of HRT)
There is also a useful video from the Lothian Sexual Health Website which explains more about the coils/IUDs.
If you would prefer to have your coil or implant fitted at Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic then you can book an appointment yourself via this link. They also have a walk in clinic with limited appointments every Tuesday evening. The clinic runs from 4.45pm-7.30pm. Please attend between 4.30pm-6pm for allocation of appointments. Limited spaces available- appointments are allocated on a first come basis.
Emergency Contraception
The practice is also able to provide emergency contraception. There are two types of emergency contraception; the ‘morning after pill’ or the copper IUD/coil, which is by far the more effective method. We can give you the tablets for up to 5 days after sex, but the sooner they’re taken the better, so when you call or come in to make an appointment, please ask for one on the same day. Depending on availability we may be able to offer to fit an emergency copper IUD, but if we do not have capacity we can refer to Chalmers Sexual Health Centre for this.
Please click here to find out more about emergency contraception.
Condoms
Condoms have the benefit of being a useful contraception (although not as effective as other methods) but also preventing transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Please click on this link to find out more about accessing free condoms by applying for a c:card.
Vasectomy
This procedure is carried out at Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic. You can self refer by calling 0131 536 1512.
Please click this link to find out more information.
Sexual Health
We are able to carry out testing for sexually transmitted infections here at the surgery. Please contact reception and ask for an appointment with our practice nurse.
If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of an STI then please ask for an appointment with one of the GPs.
Alternatively please contact Chalmers Sexual Health Service – Lothian Sexual Health | Sexual Health advice for Edinburgh and the Lothians
Pregnancy
Unplanned pregnancy is very common; around half of all pregnancies are unplanned. As many as one in three women in the UK have had an abortion at some time in their life. The decision to have an abortion (termination of pregnancy) is not easy and it can be a very emotional time for those involved; talking it through with experienced professionals can help.
If you live in Lothian, have had a positive pregnancy test and are unsure if you wish to continue with the pregnancy, you can discuss it with us. Your decision to have an abortion and your treatment are confidential matters between you and the healthcare team.
If you wish to be referred to the Choices Clinic at Chalmers Centre for an abortion you can either ring to speak to a GP about this or you can also self refer by calling 0131 536 2454 between the hours of 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Gender Identity
Gender incongruence or dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences a mismatch between their experienced gender and assigned sex at birth. All of our clinicians are happy to discuss this with patients and a referral can be made to the Gender Identity Clinic at Chalmers Centre. Please click this link for more information about this clinic.
LGBTQ +
We welcome the entire diversity of our LGBT+ community including non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. If you wish to discuss any issues relating to this involving your physical or mental health please arrange an appointment with a GP or nurse. Alternatively please visit LGBT Health and Wellbeing which is an organisation in Scotland who are promoting the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) adults (16+) in Scotland.