Sexual Health Services in Birmingham

We provide sexual health services in Birmingham in association with Umbrella Health.

If you live in Birmingham, your local Umbrella pharmacy can provide access to a range of free, confidential and non-judgemental sexual health services. For many pharmacy services, you do not need an appointment and can simply visit the pharmacy.

Umbrella Pharmacy Services

Services available through Umbrella pharmacies include:

• Free condoms
• Emergency hormonal contraception (the morning after pill)
• Chlamydia treatment
• Contraceptive pill
• Contraceptive injections
• Continuation of hepatitis B vaccine injections started at an Umbrella clinic
• Collection of STI self-sampling kits ordered online

Need advice? Speak to our pharmacy team confidentially. If the service you need cannot be provided directly by the pharmacy, we can help signpost you to an appropriate sexual health service.

Free NHS Contraception at Kings Pharmacy

Kings Pharmacy provides access to the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, making it easier to get the contraceptive pill without needing to obtain a prescription from your GP first.

Whether you are considering the pill for the first time, restarting after a break or already taking oral contraception and need your next supply, our trained pharmacy team can provide confidential advice and assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.

What Can the NHS Contraception Service Help With?

• Starting the contraceptive pill for the first time
• Restarting oral contraception after a break
• Obtaining your next supply of an existing contraceptive pill
• Routine monitoring and contraceptive pill reviews
• Discussing your current contraception and any concerns you may have
• Providing advice about other contraception options and signposting where required

You can self-refer to the service and do not need to obtain a prescription from your GP beforehand. Eligibility and the contraceptive option supplied will depend on an individual clinical assessment.

What Types of Contraceptive Pill Are Available?

Combined Contraceptive Pill

The combined pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. It works primarily by preventing ovulation and is taken regularly according to the instructions for the particular pill prescribed.

Progestogen-Only Pill

The progestogen-only pill, sometimes called the mini pill, does not contain oestrogen. It may be suitable for people who cannot use contraception containing oestrogen.

Our pharmacist will discuss your health, current medication and contraceptive needs before deciding whether a particular option is clinically suitable.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

Your consultation will take place privately with a trained member of our pharmacy team. Depending on the contraception you require, this may include:

• Discussing your medical history and relevant lifestyle factors
• Reviewing your current contraception
• Discussing any side effects or concerns
• Checking your blood pressure, height or weight where required
• Assessing which contraceptive pill is suitable for you
• Supplying oral contraception where clinically appropriate
• Explaining how to take your contraception correctly
• Signposting or referring you to another healthcare service if needed

Our consultations are confidential, respectful and centred around your individual health needs and preferences.

How Do I Access Free Contraception?

Getting NHS contraception through Kings Pharmacy is straightforward. Depending on availability, you can:

• Visit the pharmacy and ask to speak to a member of our trained team
• Contact us in advance
• Be signposted or referred by your GP, sexual health clinic or another NHS service

No GP prescription required. Eligible patients can access the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service directly through the pharmacy following a confidential clinical assessment.

Free Morning After Pill in Birmingham

Free NHS emergency contraception is available at Kings Pharmacy.

If you have had unprotected sex, or your usual contraception may have failed, emergency contraception can help reduce the chance of pregnancy. Because emergency contraception is time-sensitive, you should seek advice as soon as possible.

How Does the Morning After Pill Work?

The emergency contraceptive pill works mainly by delaying or preventing ovulation. It does not end an established pregnancy.

There are two main types of emergency contraceptive pill used in the UK:

Levonorgestrel

Levonorgestrel emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex.

Ulipristal Acetate (ellaOne)

Ulipristal acetate, commonly known by the brand name ellaOne, can be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.

Seek advice as soon as possible. The best emergency contraception for you can depend on when unprotected sex occurred, where you are in your menstrual cycle, your current contraception, other medicines and individual health factors. A pharmacist will assess this with you confidentially.

What About the Emergency Copper Coil?

The emergency contraceptive pill is not the only form of emergency contraception. A copper intrauterine device (IUD or copper coil) can also be used as emergency contraception and is the most effective emergency contraception option.

A copper IUD needs to be fitted by a specially trained healthcare professional, usually through a sexual health clinic or another appropriate service. If this may be a suitable option for you, our team can advise you about where to seek further help.

What Are the Side Effects of the Morning After Pill?

Emergency contraceptive pills are generally very safe. Common side effects can include:

• Headache
• Feeling sick or nauseous
• Period-like pain or abdominal cramping
• Changes to your next period

If you are sick after taking emergency contraception, contact a pharmacist or another healthcare professional for advice because you may need further treatment.

What Happens When I Ask for Emergency Contraception?

You will have a confidential consultation so that a trained member of our pharmacy team can check whether emergency contraception is suitable and determine the most appropriate option.

You may be asked questions about when unprotected sex occurred, your menstrual cycle, your usual contraception, medication and relevant medical history.

The person requiring emergency contraception should take part in the consultation so that the necessary clinical assessment can be completed.

Where clinically appropriate, treatment can then be supplied by the pharmacy without needing to obtain a prescription from your GP first.

Emergency Contraception, STIs & Safer Sex

Does the Morning After Pill Protect Against STIs?

No. Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms can help reduce the risk of catching or passing on many STIs. Free condoms are available through Umbrella pharmacy services.

If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, our team can also advise you about local sexual health services, testing and treatment.

STI Testing and Sexual Health Support

As part of our work with Umbrella Health, pharmacy sexual health services may include:

• Free condoms
• Chlamydia treatment
• Collection of STI self-sampling kits ordered through Umbrella
• Advice and signposting to additional sexual health services

You can also find further sexual health information through NHS sexual health advice.

Why Choose Kings Pharmacy?

We want sexual health and contraception services to be straightforward, accessible and comfortable to use.

Confidential
Private consultations where you can discuss your health openly.

Convenient
Access pharmacy contraception without waiting for a routine GP prescription.

Non-Judgemental
Professional and respectful support centred around your needs.

Expert Support
Advice from trained pharmacy professionals, with signposting when another service is more appropriate.