Sexual Health and Contraceptive Services
Our clinicians are able to help you with queries you may have about family planning or sexual health.
Altrenatively, you can contact a local NHS Family Planning/Sexual health clinic. Details can be found here:
http://www.sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk/our-clinics or by calling 0300 008 5522
Online services are also available to Hertfordshire residents:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Health-in-Herts/Sexual-health/Sexual-health.aspx
Online service include:
- Contraceptive pill: age 16 years or older, order on-line though the SH:24 contraceptive service. Discreet delivery to your home.
- Emergency contraception: age 16 years or older, order free and confidential emergency contraception on-line from SH:24 .Discreet delivery to your home.
- Testing for STIs with no symptoms: order a free test through the SH:24 home testing service. Discreet delivery to your home. Please note that low-risk individuals will be sent tests for Chlamydia / Gonorrhoea but not HIV / Syphilis as these are less likely to be necessary.
- HIV/Syphilis Testing: order online from Free Testing HIV
- If you have symptoms contact Sexual Health Hertfordshire on 0300 008 5522 as soon as possible.
- If anyone is under 18 or unable to use online services please call 0300 008 5522
Emergency Contraception
If you are concerned please call to make an appointment to see your GP for advice.
Emergency contraception can be obtained free of charge from any Family Planning Clinic or Sexual Health Clinic and from many NHS walk-in centres:
http://www.sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk/our-clinics 0300 008 5522
Girls and women aged 13 to 24 can obtain the emergency contraceptive pill free of charge from many local pharmacies.
The emergency pill can also be purchased from most pharmacies by anyone aged 16 or over for about £25
Routine Contraception
Please book an appointment with a doctor or nurse to discuss your options. The practice offers all types of contraception including coils and implants.
For more information, see this link:
Sexually Transmitted Infections Including Chlamydia Testing
- It’s free
- It’s quick
- It’s confidential
You do NOT need to see a doctor or nurse to have the test – you can take the test yourself. Simply obtain a testing kit from surgery reception.
Facts about Chlamydia
- Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection
- People who are 24 and under and sexually active are more likely to get chlamydia
- 1 in 14 people 24 and under who are tested, have chlamydia
- It affects both men and women
- Most people who have chlamydia don’t know they’ve got it
If you are 24 or under and have been sexually active, it is recommended that you take a chlamydia test every year, or every time you change a sexual partner.
For more information about chlamydia, go to www.c-sure.org.uk
Cervical Smears
Between the ages of 25 and 64, women who are or have been sexually active should have a smear test taken.
Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix. The programme sends screening invitations to people with a cervix who are registered as ‘female’ or ‘indeterminate’ at the following ages and intervals.
Age 24.5: first invitation (invitations to first screen are issued at 24.5 years).
Ages 25 to 49: 3-yearly screening. From 1 July 2025, most women aged 25-49 who test negative for HPV – meaning they are at very low risk of developing cervical cancer over the next five years – will be invited at five-year intervals rather than three. This applies to samples taken on or after 1st July and next test due dates remain the same for any samples taken before this date.
Ages 50 to 64: 5-yearly screening.
Ages 65 plus: screening of those who have not been screened since age 50, or those who have not yet met the criteria to be ceased from the programme.
Please make an appointment with our nurse for this to be done.
Page created: 08 November 2021