Contraception clinic

Contraception clinic

This clinic provides:

• specialist contraception and advice
• help with referrals for pregnancy termination
• discuss tests for sexually transmitted infections (STI's)
• condoms, free of charge
  

Cervical screening clinic

There is also a cervical screening clinic at Le Bas Cente.

Cervical screening appointments

Opening hours

Clinic times vary daily, with daytime and evening appointments available Monday to Friday. Email Le Bas or phone +44 (0) 1534 443781 to make an appointment. 

We recommend you book in advance if you need an appointment during student holidays or an evening appointment as these times can be in high demand.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is available from Le Bas Centre, Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and bank holidays. You can also get emergency contraception from any pharmacy. 

Fees

If you're 22 or under, we provide these services free of charge. Prices are subject to an annual review.

Coils and implants

Also known as Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), Intrauterine Devices (IUD) and Intrauterine Systems IUS).

If you're considering having a coil or implant fitted or removed, call to arrange a telephone consultation with one of our nurses. During your telephone consultation the nurse will either:

• direct you to our online resources prior to your coil or implant fitting or removal, or
  
• arrange a further appointment for you to attend the clinic for a face to face consultation prior to your coil or implant fitting or removal
  

Telephone consultations are designed for non-urgent advice and guidance. If you're worried, or feel your need is urgent, contact our Reception Team or visit your GP.

GP Out of Hours Service

Emergency Department

Having a coil or implant fitted or removed

Before having your coil or implant fitted, ensure there is no risk of pregnancy in your current menstrual cycle.

We recommend you visit the following pages on the Family Planning Association's Sexwise Website before attending your appointment.

Contraceptive implant on Sexwise website

Copper Coil (Intrauterine device - IUD) on Sexwise website

Hormonal Coil (Intrauterine system - IUS) on Sexwise website

What to expect at your appointment

We will send you a text reminder about your appointment. Call us on +44 (0) 1534 443781 or email Le Bas Clinic if you need to reschedule. If you have any further questions please contact the clinic, for a telephone consultation or an in person appointment with one of our nurses.

Do not bring small children to your appointment. If this is unavoidable or you are breastfeeding, bring someone to care for them whilst you are undergoing the fitting procedure.

When you arrive for your appointment, we check you in at reception and confirm your details. We ask you to have a seat in the waiting area until our clinician is ready to see you. After your appointment, you pay at reception.

Contraceptive implant insertion

The contraceptive implant is about the size of a matchstick and is placed under the skin of the inner side of your upper arm. It is important that you continue to use a reliable method of contraception until your appointment, and for seven days after your implant has been fitted.

How the implant is inserted

The implant is inserted by a specially trained Doctor or Nurse:

1. an injection of local anaesthetic is used to numb the skin
2. a special device is used to place the implant under the skin
3. the wound is dressed and will soon heal just like any other small cut
4. the dressing needs to stay in place (and dry) for 72 hours
   

After implant insertion

The Nurse will ask you to touch the skin above where your implant is fitted, so you understand where it is placed.

You may experience a little discomfort once the local anaesthetic wears off. You can take pain relief such as paracetamol as needed. The area around the implant may be bruised and tender for up to a week.

Once it has healed, knocking the implant will not do it, or you, any harm.

Itching over the site of insertion can occur. This usually settles within a couple of months of insertion. You can try antihistamines such as Cetrizine or Piriton, available over the counter at a Pharmacy, for itching.

Contact the Contraceptive Service if you experience:

• pus or bleeding at the insertion site
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• delayed period after long intervals of normal periods
• severe lower abdominal pain (ovarian cysts are uncommon)
  
• expulsion of the implant (very rare)

Contraceptive implant removal

You may wish to have your implant removed for the following reasons:

• you want to become pregnant
• your current device has expired and you want to have another fitted
• you are having problems with the device and wish to change to another
• method of contraception

How the implant is removed

A specially trained Doctor or Nurse will remove the implant. They will:

1. feel your arm to locate the implant and give you a local anaesthetic injection in the area where the implant is
2. make a tiny cut in your skin and gently pull the implant out. A dressing will then be put on the arm to keep it clean and dry and to help reduce bruising. The dressing should be kept on for 3 days.

If the implant has been put in correctly, it should not be difficult to remove. It usually only takes a few minutes to remove an implant.

Occasionally an implant is difficult to feel under the skin and it may not be so easy to remove. If this happens, you may be referred to a specialist centre to have it removed with the help of an ultrasound scan.

If you want to carry on using an implant, the Doctor or Nurse can insert a new one at the same time as removing your old one. You will continue to be protected against pregnancy if your previous device has not expired. If your previous device has expired, you will need to use additional precautions for seven days after your new implant is fitted.

If you would like to use another form of contraception following the removal of your implant, inform the receptionist when making your appointment as extra time will be needed for your appointment.

After implant removal

You may experience a little discomfort once the local anaesthetic wears off. Take pain relief such as paracetamol as needed. Bruising should settle within 10 days of removal. You can carry out all normal activities.

Copper IUD (coil) or hormonal IUS (coil) insertion

Before your appointment:

• we advise you to eat and drink something 2 to 3 hours ahead of attending the clinic as attending with an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint
• take 2 Paracetamol or Ibuprofen one hour beforehand to help reduce cramping during and after the procedure
• you may wish to arrange for someone to drive you home as you may not know how you will react to the insertion procedure
• if you are using condoms or other non-hormonal methods of contraception do not have sex from the menstrual period before your appointment up to the date of your appointment
• if you already have an IUD or IUS (coil) fitted, please do not have sex in the 7 days before your appointment

How the IUD or IUS is inserted

A specially trained Doctor or Nurse will insert the IUD or IUS and an assistant will be present.

The Doctor or Nurse will:

1. perform an internal examination to check the size and direction of the uterus. A speculum (a duck billed instrument) is used to hold open the walls of the vagina and after stabilizing the cervix, the length of the womb is measured with a sterile sound
2. the IUD or IUS is prepared by drawing its arms into the introducer, it is then pushed into place and once out of the tube, and in the proper position, the arms open into the 'T 'shape. The threads of the device are then cut so that 5 cm hangs through the cervix into the top of the vagina.

The insertion of an IUD or IUS is usually uncomplicated although there may be some discomfort. Occasionally due to stimulation of the nerves to the cervix during the procedure, there can be a temporary episode of faintness (cervical shock), this is mostly managed by elevating the legs, or in very rare cases administering medication.

After IUD or IUS insertion

After your appointment:

• you may experience some cramping, period like pain and bleeding for the next 2 to 3 days. You can keep taking ibuprofen or paracetamol as needed
• try to have a restful day after your fitting, avoiding any strenuous activities
• to reduce the chance of infection over the next seven days avoid vaginal sex and do not use tampons (pads are OK)
• avoid using menstrual cups when you have a coil fitted
• your first period after the insertion is likely to be heavier than normal and it may also start a few days earlier than expected
• you need to check for the IUD  or IUS strings after every period
• it is normal to have spotting between periods for 2to 3 months with a copper IUD or IUS
  
• you may also experience painful and heavier periods

If you think you may be pregnant, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

We recommend booking a six week follow up appointment, for a coil check in the clinic with a Nurse or Doctor.

Contact the clinic if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• cramping pain which does not get better with pain killers
• pain that is getting worse
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• vaginal discharge with a smell
• pain during sex
• fever
• feeling the IUD or IUS in the vagina

How to check your IUD or IUS strings

When an IUD or IUS is inserted the plastic device is left inside the uterus, but the threads or strings of the device protrude through the cervix into the upper part of the vaginal canal.

When checking for threads, first wash your hands. Then while either sitting or squatting insert your index or middle finger into your vagina until you touch the cervix (which feels firm and rubbery, like the tip of your nose). Feel for the ends of the threads which should be coming through your cervix, if you feel the strings, then your device is in place and should be working.

If the strings feel longer or shorter than the last time you checked them, or if you feel the hard part of the IUD or IUS against your cervix, the device might have moved. Contact the clinic straight away and use condoms until you can visit the clinic. If the threads cannot be located during a pelvic examination then a pelvic ultrasound scan will be performed to confirm the location of the device (assuming it has not been expelled)

Copper IUD (coil) or hormonal IUS (coil) removal

There are several reasons why you might want your IUD or IUS removed. These could

include:

• a desire to become pregnant
• your existing device has expired and you want a new one
• side affects you can no longer tolerate
• developing an infection
• simply not liking the IUD/IUS

IUD or IUS removal is often easier, quicker and less painful than device insertion.

Preparation for IUD or IUS removal

If you want like to try for a pregnancy the IUD/IUS can be removed at any time.

It is advisable to start taking Folic Acid 400 mcg daily 3 months prior to removal to reduce the risk of spina bifida and brain abnormalities in the foetus. You should also reduce alcohol and give up smoking.

If you want to avoid pregnancy then you should start an alternative method of contraception such as condom, pill, patch, ring or injection 7 days before removal or don't have sex.

If you want to use another form of contraception following the removal of your coil, inform the receptionist when making your appointment, as extra time will be needed for your appointment.

How the IUD or IUS is removed

A specially trained Doctor or Nurse will remove the IUD or IUS. An assistant may or may not be present:

1. the Doctor or Nurse will pass a speculum (a duck billed instrument) is used to hold open the walls of the vagina and forceps are then used to securely grasp the IUD or IUS strings and pull on them slowly
2. the flexible arms of the IUD or IUS will fold up as it slides through the cervix
   

For most women removal is a routine and uncomplicated procedure, but in some cases the strings of the device may not be located. This is most likely because the strings have slipped up in to the cervical canal, they can usually be pulled out gently using narrow forceps. Sometimes an ultrasound scan is used to locate the device and its strings.

In rare cases, you may be referred to the Gynaecology Department to have your coil removed in their outpatients department.

Other contraception services

There're other services available to help with contraception:

• pharmacies offer the morning after pill without prescription
• GPs can give advice and prescribe contraception
• Brook Jersey supports young people under 21 years of age

Parking

There is limited parking available at the centre. If you arrive and there're no spaces available, let reception know. The nearest alternative car park is in Ann Street.

Our location

We are based at Le Bas Centre on St Saviour's Road.

Contraception and Cervical Screening Centre

Le Bas Centre
St Saviour's Road
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 4RP