Adult Health
Women’s Health
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
LOCAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL
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:
Local support for emergency contraception
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.”
General information
Further explanation from the NHS on emergency contraception
Emergency contraception Emergency contraception – NHS
This includes
- Emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)- “Find out more about the emergency contraceptive pill, including how to get it and when to take it.” Emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill) – NHS
- IUD (intrauterine device) or copper coil: “Find out about an IUD (intrauterine device) or copper coil, including who can use it, how well it works and possible side effects.” IUD (intrauterine device) or copper coil – NHS
For Berkshire patients all options
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
FOR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE PATIENTS
From Sexual Health Buckinghamshire
- Contraception (all forms including implants and IUDS)
“Remember, for all forms of contraception you can self-refer to your local bSHaW Sexual Health Clinic or call to book an appointment. There is no need to see your GP first.”
Contraception (includes where your closest clinic is) Contraception | Sexual Health Bucks - Free condoms
There are various schemes for different ages which offer a free and confidential service to obtain free condoms. How Can I Get Free Condoms | Sexual Health Bucks - Repeat hormonal contraception
Order repeat Oral Contraception Prescriptions (only available to women who have accessed the oral contraceptive pill from Bucks Sexual Health Service within the last year.) Repeat Oral Contraception Prescriptions | Sexual Health Bucks
CONTRACEPTION INFORMATION
For information on contraception to help you consider your options see the “Contraception information” section on this page.
FOR BERKSHIRE PATIENTS
From Safe Sex Berkshire
- Full directory of sexual health services including support for sexually transmitted infections, contraception, pregnancy, and sexual assault Home – Safe Sex Berkshire
- Contraception Contraception – Safe Sex Berkshire
- All clinics All Clinics – Safe Sex Berkshire
UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
From Sexual Health Buckinghamshire
If you are pregnant and need advice and options
Unplanned pregnancy advice Unplanned 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
Find your NHS number
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
Other support for women's health
sexual health
There is both urgent and routine local support which can be accessed directly
Support with cervical screening
There is a section which includes a full explanation of the value and process of screening
pregnancy
There is good local and national support for pregnancy, most of which can be accessed without needing to go through your GP.
CONTRACEPTION INFORMATION
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.
Common questions
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.
Emergency contraception
This is covered in full in the local self referral section on this page, so please look there for further information and local support.
Missed pills and extra pills
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
Diarrhoea or sickness
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
Patient level information on contraception
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.
- How effective is contraception, compare the different choices Contraception Choices
- Contraceptive methods Contraceptive methods | Contraception Choices
- What’s right for me? What’s right for me? | Contraception Choices
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.
- Overview Your contraception guide – NHS
- Getting started Your contraception guide – NHS
- Methods of contraception Your contraception guide – NHS
- Which is best for me? Your contraception guide – NHS
- Worries and questions Your contraception guide – NHS
- Questions about the pill Your contraception guide – NHS
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:
- The combined oral contraceptive pill The Pill | Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC) | Patient
- Emergency Contraception Morning After Pill and Coil Morning After Pills and the Coil (Emergency Contraception) | Patient
Considers certain groups
- Contraception for the Mature Woman Contraception for the Mature Woman | The Menopause | Patient
- Contraception after Having a Baby Contraception After Having a Baby | Family Planning | Patient
clinical level information
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
- Sexual health including Sexual health conditions and contraception Sexual health | Specialities | CKS | NICE
- Contraception – assessment Contraception – assessment | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Women’s Health: some common health questions
- Women’s health – NHS
- Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
- Women’s health | Specialities | CKS | NICE
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
PERIOD PROBLEMS
From the NHS
- Periods Periods – NHS
- Period problems Period problems – NHS
- Delayed periods Delayed periods – NHS
From the NHS and NICE
Delayed periods (and no periods)
Period pain
Heavy periods
Irregular periods and stopped or missed periods
- Irregular periods – NHS
- Stopped or missed periods – NHS
- Amenorrhoea | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
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
- Pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic inflammatory disease | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
- Fibroids Fibroids | Health topics A to Z | CKS | 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
Premenstrual syndrome
From the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome
Provide helpful information About PMS | NAPS – National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes
URINE INFECTION
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
- Cystitis – NHS
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – NHS
- Interstitial cystitis – NHS
- Urinary tract infection (lower) – women | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
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
URINARY INCONTINENCE
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
- Urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence – NHS
- Non-surgical treatment Urinary incontinence – Non-surgical treatment – NHS
- Incontinence products Products to help with urinary incontinence – NHS
- 10 ways to stop leaks how to help a weak bladder – NHS
From Patient info
The urinary incontinence is a good overview article
- Urinary incontinence Urinary Incontinence | Patient
- Stress incontinence Stress Incontinence | Symptoms and Treatment | Patient
- Urge incontinence What is urge incontinence? | Patient
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
Overview
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
PELVIC PAIN
From the NHS
- Pelvic pain Overview with a summary of common and less common causes Pelvic pain – NHS
- Ovulation pain Ovulation pain – NHS
- Ovarian cyst Ovarian cyst – 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
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
See under
VAGINAL DISCOMFORT
From the NHS
- Vaginitis Vaginitis – NHS – NHS
- Vulvodynia (vulval pain) Vulvodynia (vulval pain) – NHS
- Vaginismus Vaginismus – NHS
- Vaginal dryness Vaginal dryness – NHS
From Patient info
Vaginal Dryness -Atrophic Vaginitis Vaginal Dryness (Atrophic Vaginitis) | Causes and Treatment | Patient
vulval problems
From Patient info
- Information on Vulval Problems, section in Women’s health Women’s Health | Breast Cancer, Menopause and Period Concerns | Patient
- Vulvitis What is vulvitis? | Patient
From NICE
Pruritus vulvae Pruritus vulvae | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
Vulval pain
From the Vulval Pain Society
Get Support includes helpful advice Get support – The Vulval Pain Society
breast symptoms
From the NHS
- Breast pain (as NHS choices suggest “breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer”) Breast pain – NHS
- Breast lump Breast lumps – NHS
- Nipple discharge Nipple discharge – NHS
- Mastitis Mastitis – NHS
From Patient info
Breast Pain Breast Pain (Sore Boobs) | Cyclical and Non Cyclical | Patient
From NICE
- Breast pain – cyclical Breast pain – cyclical | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
- Mastitis and breast abscess Mastitis and breast abscess | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
MENOPAUSE
From the NHS
Early Menopause
- Stopped or missed periods Stopped or missed periods – NHS
- Early Menopause Early menopause – NHS
From NHS choices, Patient info and NICE
Menopause
- Menopause – NHS
- Menopause | Symptoms and Treatment | Patient
- Menopause | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
Hormone replace therapy
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – NHS
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Menopause Treatment | Patient
- Menopause | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
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
- Welcome to Menopause Maters Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice
- Sitemap Menopause Matters: Sitemap
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.
- Home page Women’s health toolkit: Introduction | RCGP Learning
- Menopause Women’s health toolkit: Menopause | RCGP Learning
From the British Menopause Society
- is the specialist authority for menopause and post reproductive health in the UK. The BMS educates, informs and guides healthcare professionals British Menopause Society | For healthcare professionals and others specialising in post reproductive health
- This links to the Women’s Health Concern website which includes a range of detailed factsheets for patients providing information and advice on the menopause WHC factsheets and other helpful resources – Women’s Health Concern
Post-menopausal bleeding
From the NHS
- Post-menopausal bleeding Postmenopausal bleeding – NHS
- Womb (uterus) cancer Womb (uterus) cancer – NHS
PROLAPSE
From the NHS and Patient info
Pelvic organ prolapse
Trying to get pregnant
From the NHS
Trying to get Trying to get pregnant – NHS
Infertility
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
Broad support for women's health
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
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of female health.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “health conditions.”
