Contraception & Pregnancy
Contraception
Contraception is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The condom is the only form of contraception that also protects against sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
Condoms and pregnancy testing kits are available free from the Student Advice Centre on the first floor of the Union building. They are also available free from CASH clinics and the Terrance Higgins Trust drop-in clinic. You can buy them from Essentials or from condom machines in LUU toilets.
If you need dental dams, then Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students Assembly (LGBT) can supply these for you.
If you are under 25 you can get a C-Card which allows you to access free condoms, lubricant and dental dams from chemists around Leeds. You need to register for one of these. You can do this at Citywise (1 Eastgate, City Centre, Leeds, just up from Primark) or see the Leeds Sexual Health website below for other places you can go to register.
There are lots of other forms of contraception on offer to best suit your needs. Leeds Student Medical Practice have loads of info, as will other GP surgeries, or you could visit one of the CASH clinics. Alternatively, see below for more useful websites you could look at.
Emergency Contraception
This can be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse. If you are under 25 you can get emergency contraception for free from various pharamacies in Leeds. Download the 'Local pharmacies' leaflet. If you are over 25 you may have to pay for it from the pharmacist. Anyone can buy emergency contraception from Boots in town or obtain it for free from their GP or from CASH clinics.
Pregnancy
If you think you might be pregnant, the most important thing to do is get a test done as soon as possible and find out for sure. You can pick up free pregnancy test kits from the Student Advice Centre, or go to your doctor's surgery or family planning clinic (see below). You can also buy home testing kits over the counter from pharmacies.
If you are pregnant and want confidential advice, contact the Student Advice Centre or Leeds University Union's Welfare Officer in the Exec office. The Student Advice Centre can, in some cases, offer financial support whatever your decision, in the form of the Abortion Fund and the New Born Baby Fund. You also need to speak to your department if you are concerned about your studies; they will give you support and advice about your course. If you need any further help, go into the Student Advice Centre. They will be able to discuss your options with you confidentially and without bias.
Free pregnancy testing
Leeds University Union Student Advice Centre
Student Union
Citywise
1 Eastgate, City Centre, Leeds (just up from Primark)
Monday to Friday Under 25's contraception and sexual health service
Tel: 0113 295 4820
www.leedsexualhealth.com
CASH Clinics
CASH stand for Contraception and Sexual Health. There are various CASH clinics in Leeds, view the sexual health clinics list for details.
The Market Place Leeds
28 Kirkgate, City Centre, Leeds
Drop in centre for young people aged 16-25. Advice and counselling, free condoms, free pregnancy testing and Chlamydia testing.
Tel: 0113 246 1659
Website: www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk/marketplace2/index.asp
Leeds Student Medical Practice
GP Practice offering pregnancy testing, sexual health advice and testing.
4 Blenheim Court, Leeds (across from the Parkinson building)
Tel: 0113 295 4488
Website: www.leeds.ac.uk/lsmp/
Local pharmacies - offer pregnancy tests to under 25s
Download the “Local pharmacies” leaflet.
Other support services
Leeds Pregnancy Crisis Centre
Tel: 0113 2753330
Email: leeds@careconfidential.com
Opening hours: Monday 10am-12pm and Thursday 12.30-2.30pm.