Sexual Health

Throughout your time at Clare, you may engage in sexual and physically intimate relationships with either new or already established partners. It is therefore important to know why you can look after your sexual health, and the family planning options avaliable to you.

Contraception

Barrier Contraception

Forms of Barrier Contraception (Condoms and Femidoms) can be purchased in most pharmacies and online. Free sexual health supplies are available in the MCR welfare box. The home of the welfare box is in the MCR and can be access ²⁴⁄₇. Pregnancy tests can be collected from the MCR welfare box or the Cambridge Student Union.

Emergency Contraception

The Emergency contraceptive pill can be brought from boots for £25 or can be free with consultation. The NHS has more information about emergency contraception: Emergency contraception (morning after pill, IUD)

Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception and the Contraceptive Pill

If you would like to explore taking the contraceptive pill or long‐acting reversible (contraceptive implant, Intrauterine Device (IUD), and Intrauterine System (IUS)) you will need to dicuss this with your GP.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

If you are sexual active– even if you use long‐Acting contraception or have a low/no risk of pregnancy–you should consider using a condom. Condoms will help prevent STIs that spread through bodily fluids such as HPV, HSV, trichomoniasis, HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Hepatitis B.

It is also important to remember that not all STIs spread through bodily fluid, some spread via body‐to‐body contact. These include: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), trichomoniasis, Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sysphilis, and molluscum contagiosum. Therefore, even if you are not having penetrative sex, it is important to get tested regularly.

Not all STIs have symptoms, e.g. chlamydia. Important to get tested regularly, especially if you are sexually active with new partners and having unprotected sex (incl. unprotected oral sex).

• Visit a local sexual health clinic: Lime Tree Clinic (315 Mill Rd) https://icash.nhs.uk/where-to-go/lime-tree-clinic-cambridge
• Free HIV mail tests (discreet, free and quick!): https://www.test.hiv/
• HIV tests and support from DHIVERSE (Gwydir St, Cambridge) http://www.dhiverse.org.uk
• Free chlamydia home test kits can be ordered online from https://www.freetest.me/

Abortion

In the England, Scotland, and Wales, the Abortion Act (1967) made abortion legal as long as certain criteria are met. It is to have an abortion up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy (gestation). There is no gestational limit for abortions if there’s evidence of a fatal fetal abnormality or a significant risk to your life if you continue with the pregnancy.

Before an abortion is administered, in order to comply with UK law, a nurse/doctor has a legal duty to asky why you are considering an abortion. However, you answer should not have any effect on the care or treatment your recieve. Two doctors will then approve that the abortion legal requirements have been met.

Medical Abortion: Abortion Pills by Post

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service allow for a safe and legal way to end a pregnancy at an early gestation without needed to attend a clinic. You can contact BPAS on 03457 30 40 30 to book a telephone consultation and full medical assessment with a trained nurse or midwife who will assess your suitability for treatment. Most women are eligible for NHS funded treatment.

Surgical Abortion

Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital offer medical and surgical treatments to women unable to continue with a pregnancy. You can self refer, 7 days a week, to Peterborough by contacting them on 01733 673758. Your GP or iCaSH clinic is able to refer you for treatment at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Abortion Aftercare

Most people recover quickly after an abortion. However, how much pain and bleeding you experience afterwards can vary. The The British Pregnancy Advisory Service has helpful information on what to expect, and what will help with your recovery.