Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
There are number of local services which support contraception (including emergency contraception). Also look at the general information on contraception in the frequently asked questions. There is also local support for unplanned pregnancies. Click below:
From Sexual Health Buckinghamshire
Explains emergency contraception and all the options, including a list of the community pharmacists who prescribe emergency hormonal contraception.
Emergency contraception Emergency Contraception | Sexual Health Bucks
“Community Pharmacies provide Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) in Buckinghamshire – free for all women aged 13+. Please note for Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) you MUST call the pharmacy prior to attending to confirm the appropriate pharmacist is on duty.”
Further explanation from the NHS on emergency contraception
Emergency contraception Emergency contraception – NHS
This includes
From Safe Sex Berkshire
See on page box labelled ” Emergency contraception”, this links to a list of community pharmacists who can prescribe emergency hormonal contraception (free for a certain age group) and links to the local sexual health clinics Home – Safe Sex Berkshire
From Sexual Health Buckinghamshire
For information on contraception to help you consider your options see the “Contraception information” section on this page.
From Safe Sex Berkshire
From Sexual Health Buckinghamshire
If you are pregnant and need advice and options
Unplanned pregnancy advice Abortion/Termination of pregnancy | Sexual Health Bucks
From the NHS and Patient info
Abortion (Termination of Pregnancy)
From the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Information about abortion care Information about abortion care | RCOG
If you need your NHS number you can find it without needing to contact your GP practice.
How to find your NHS number
How to find you NHS number if you do not have access to a prescription or hospital letter Find your NHS number – NHS
There is both urgent and routine local support which can be accessed directly
There is a section which includes a full explanation of the value and process of screening
There is good local and national support for pregnancy, most of which can be accessed without needing to go through your GP.
In this section current methods of contraception are covered providing information which takes into consideration stage of life, medical history, family history and medication history. The value and efficacy of the long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (so called LARCS which includes the implant, the IUS (Mirena), the copper coil and injection) are also well covered in all the articles.
It is recommended you view the general patient level information in full, however there may be questions you want a very quick answer to and a few of these are included below.
This is covered in full in the local self referral section on this page, so please look there for further information and local support.
The NHS explains this very well for all types of oral contraception
Questions about the pill (see under missed pills and extra pills) Your contraception guide – NHS
The NHS explains this in their article
What if I’m on the pill and I’m sick or have diarrhoea? What if I’m on the pill and I’m sick or have diarrhoea? – NHS
From University College London
Your contraception guide:
A very visual guide comparing the effectiveness of each contraception, also allowing you to choose what aspects of contraception are important to you and then giving you what contraception may fit your needs best (assuming no contraindications exist). Benefits and side effects are clearly laid out.
From Sexwise
Produced by the Family Planning Association
This is a simply laid out site with a clear visual presentation (including pictures of the different contraception options) which also allows you to compare options.
Contraception Contraception – Sexwise
From the NHS
Large guide, covering all aspects of contraception, including many of the questions you are likely to ask.
From Patient info
Under Sexual Health there is a whole section on contraception. The articles are more detailed including more on who cannot have some certain types of contraception (see under disadvantages for each category and in the more detailed leaflet e.g., combined pill “who cannot take the pill”). There are also some short feature articles in this section.
Information on contraception methods (Birth Control)
Sexual Health (see section Information on contraception methods (Birth Control)) Sexual Health | STIs and Contraception | Patient
Includes
Contraception Methods Contraception Methods | Birth Control Options | Patient
This includes all the methods of contraception with links to longer articles so for example:
Considers certain groups
From the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) UK MEC
“The UK MEC helps clinicians decide what contraceptives they can safely recommend based on the medical conditions of patients in their care. Funded by the FSRH and developed by our Clinical Effectiveness Unit, this key guidance is informed by robust and up-to-date evidence on when contraceptives can and cannot be safely used.”
How to access the FSRH UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (UK MEC) UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (UKMEC) – Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
Includes contraception for specific populations (e.g., young, after pregnancy, over 40 etc.), drug interactions, emergency contraception.
FSRH Guidelines & Statements FSRH Guidelines & Statements – Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
From NICE
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Women’s Health: some common health questions
From the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Browse all patient information leaflets Browse all patient information leaflets | RCOG
From the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
This is an American website and may differ in certain areas from UK guidance but provides advice from a reputable source. Women’s Health | ACOG
From the Royal College of General Practitioners
Women’s health toolkit
The clinical toolkit resource has been created for primary healthcare professionals but includes under the resources for each topic links to information, such as the NHS website, which can be helpful for patients.
Home page Women’s health toolkit: Introduction | RCGP Learning
From the NHS
From the NHS and NICE
Delayed periods (and no periods)
Period pain
Heavy periods
Irregular periods and stopped or missed periods
PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Endometriosis
From Patient info
Information on Periods and Period Problems section in Women’s health Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
From NICE
From the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
This is an American website and may differ in certain areas from UK guidance but provides advice from a reputable source.
Menstrual Health Resources for You | ACOG
From Endometriosis UK
Get support : “Our Support Network is here to offer those affected by endometriosis the support and information they need to understand the condition and take control.”
From the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome
Provide helpful information About PMS | NAPS – National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes
As the NHS suggests
“Smelly pee on its own is not usually a cause for concern. There are often things you can do to help your pee return to normal.” Smelly urine – NHS
From the NHS, The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and NICE
Urinary tract infection
How to collect a urine sample
From Patient info
Midstream Specimen of Urine Midstream Specimen of Urine (MSU) | Urine Analysis Test | Patient
What are the symptoms and signs of a very serious infection when I should call 999 for hospital admission?
See under Spotting sepsis
From BAUS (The British Association of Urological Surgeons)
I think I might have Urinary incontinence Incontinence of urine | The British Association of Urological Surgeons Limited
From the NHS
From Patient info
The urinary incontinence is a good overview article
From NICE
Urinary incontinence Incontinence – urinary, in women | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)
Includes a number of useful factsheets on pelvic floor health Leaflets – Your Pelvic Floor
From The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS)
Information on common procedures: I’m told I need…… “I’m told I need…” | The British Association of Urological Surgeons Limited
From Patient info
Information on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women (LUTS) section in Women’s health Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
From the NHS
From the NHS and NICE
Pelvic inflammatory disease
From Patient info
Information on Pelvic Pain in Women, section in Women’s health Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
See under
From the NHS
From Patient info
Vaginal Dryness -Atrophic Vaginitis Vaginal Dryness (Atrophic Vaginitis) | Causes and Treatment | Patient
From Patient info
From NICE
Pruritus vulvae Pruritus vulvae | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
From the Vulval Pain Society
Get Support includes helpful advice Get support – The Vulval Pain Society
From the NHS
From Patient info
Breast Pain Breast Pain (Sore Boobs) | Cyclical and Non Cyclical | Patient
From NICE
From the NHS
Early Menopause
From NHS choices, Patient info and NICE
Menopause
Hormone replace therapy
From Patient info
Information on Menopause section in Women’s health Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
From Menopause Matters
Note the menu is on the right side
From the Royal College of General PractitionersWomen’s health toolkit
The clinical toolkit resource has been created for primary healthcare professionals but includes under the resources for each topic links to information, such as the NHS website, which can be helpful for patients.
From the British Menopause Society
From the NHS
From the NHS and Patient info
Pelvic organ prolapse
From the NHS
Trying to get Trying to get pregnant – NHS
From the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA)
Impartial, accurate information about IVF, clinics and other fertility treatments from the UK government fertility regulator HFEA: UK fertility regulator | HFEA
Women’s physical health can on occasions be impacted by mental health and the social side of life. There is good local and national support in these areas and a summary with relevant links can be found under
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of female health.