Sexual Health Service

Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are infections that can be transferred from person to person through unprotected sex and, with some infections, through oral sex.
Our clinics can help you with:

• Chlamydia
• Epididymo-orchitis
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Gonorrhoea
• HIV (PEP and PrEP)
• Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Non-specific urethritis
• Pubic lice
• Syphilis
• Thrush
• Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

Find out about STI’s on the Safe Sex Berkshire website

You can use our online order form if you live in Bracknell Forest, Slough, or Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.

Testing is for the four most common STI’s, which are Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and HIV.

If you have had unprotected sex and are concerned about STI’s, you can order an STI screening kit to be delivered to your home.

If you’re symptomatic, we advise that you contact the clinic to discuss your options for screening and treatment.

Use our online form to order your STI Home Test Kit

Emergency contraception is to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex

It is important to get emergency contraception as ''soon as possible'' after unprotected sex and ideally within ''3 days (72 hours)'' to maximise effectiveness.

However, options are available until at least 5 days (120 hours) after and occasionally longer depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

Where can I get emergency contraception?

The main types of emergency contraception are listed below. 

Visit Sexwise for more information about Emergency contraception for more information

Morning after pill

You can get advice and access emergency oral contraception (most commonly known as the morning after pill) from:

• Contraception or sexual health clinics
• Some pharmacies (free of charge if you are under 21 years of age)
• Most NHS walk-in centres and minor injuries units
• Most GP surgeries

Emergency Coil

Also known as an emergency copper intra-uterine device (IUD) or emergency copper coil, this is the most effective method of emergency contraception and can also be used as ongoing contraception.

Contact us for a same / next day telephone consultation; you will then be given a clinic appointment if necessary.

Why you might need emergency contraception

• You had sex without using contraception
• You used a condom but are worried it split / came off
• You are using contraceptive pills / patch but are worried you have not been using these properly
• You are late getting your Depo Provera injection (14 weeks or more since last injection)
• You have an implant but the recommended renewal date has passed
• You had a coil but it may have fallen out or you can’t feel the threads

Contraceptive pills and patches

We prescribe contraceptive pills and patches and can talk you through which options may be best for you.

Contraceptive pills

• The combined hormonal contraceptive pill (also known as ‘the pill’) - Visit Contraception Choices website for more information about combined pill
• The progesterone only pill (also known as ‘the mini pill’) - Visit Contraception Choices website for information about the mini pill

Please note that, whilst we stock a large number of different pill brands, we cannot stock them all. If you are on a particular version that we don’t stock (for example Yasmin® or Dianette®), we can prescribe a similar version. See your GP if you want to continue to use a specific type of pill that we don’t have.

The contraceptive patch

This method uses the same hormones that are in the combined contraceptive pill but, instead of taking a pill, you apply a patch to your skin once a week.

It may be a good method if you sometimes forget to take pills. Visit Contraception Choices website for information about the patch

Pills for period control

If you are not sexually active and are using the pill purely to control your periods, ''you must see your GP for this''. We cannot prescribe the pill in these circumstances.

Contraceptive injection (Depo)

The contraceptive injection ( Depo-Provera or “Depo”) is a progestogen only method. The injection is given into your buttock or thigh every 12 to 13 weeks.

Implants

The contraceptive implant is a method of contraception that lasts for 3 years. It contains the hormone progesterone.

Visit the Contraceptive Choices website for information about the implant

Implant fitting

This is a relatively quick and straightforward procedure.

Implant replacement

Contact us for a telephone consultation if you need an implant replacement or if you have changes in your ''bleeding pattern'', ''abnormal discharge'' or ''lower abdominal pain''. You will then be given a clinic appointment if appropriate.

Please note: ''if you cannot feel the implant in your arm'', it is important to discuss this with us or your GP as you may need further tests (like an ultrasound scan) and booking into a specific clinic.

Implant removal

Contact us for a clinic appointment if appropriate.

Coils / IUD / IUS

A coil is a small, flexible T shaped device that is fitted into the uterus (womb). It is a very effective way of preventing pregnancy, there are two types: -

1. Hormonal coil: IUS

• Most types work for 5 years or more. Visit the Contraception Choices website for details about IUS
• As well as providing contraception, an IUS is good if you have heavy or painful periods as it usually lightens or stops your period.
• If you want a coil to control your periods or for HRT but ''do not need contraception'', please see your GP as they need to refer you by letter to the right service.

2. Copper coil: IUD

• This coil can be used for emergency contraception as well as ongoing contraception.
• Most types work for 5 years or more.
• There are absolutely no hormones, so your periods will continue (they may become longer, a little more heavy and painful). Visit the Contraception Choices website for details about copper coil

Information alert: Smear tests

''We do not offer smear tests.'' You may receive a letter from Public Health England saying that you can book an appointment for a smear test at your local sexual health clinic but this information applies to sexual health clinics in other parts of the country, not East Berkshire. Please go to your GP Practice instead.

How do I get a coil fitted?

If you have experienced ''difficulty with a previous fit'' or been told that a ''fit may be difficult'', please see your GP and ask them to refer you by letter. We can then contact you to book you into the most appropriate clinic for the fitting procedure.

How should I prepare for my coil fit appointment?

• You may want to bring a friend, relative or partner with you. Sometimes people feel a bit shaky after the procedure and it can be helpful to have support and somebody to take you home
• Make sure you have had something to eat
• Take some painkillers 30 minutes before your appointment (for example, paracetamol or ibuprofen)

We may not be able to fit the coil if there is any risk of pregnancy, so:

• Use your current contraception reliably until your appointment (condoms alone are not adequate) OR do not have any sex at all (even with a condom) for 3 weeks prior to your appointment
• Do not have sex for 7 days prior to your fit if you are having a coil exchange (with an in date device)

My current coil needs changing

There is very good evidence that coils last longer than we used to think. National guidelines support the use of some coils for longer than the period they are licensed for (this is known as “off-label” use).

Contact us if you need a replacement coil or if you have changes in your ''bleeding'' pattern, ''abnormal discharge'' or ''lower abdominal pain''. You will then be given a clinic appointment if appropriate.

If you think you might be pregnant, you can take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period or three weeks after having unprotected sex.

We can also do pregnancy testing for you in any of our clinics and help you make an informed decision about continuing with your pregnancy, ending your pregnancy or adoption/fostering.

Psychosexual Counselling (East Berkshire residents only)

We offer psychosexual counselling and ask that all service users are referred by their GP following the below criteria:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Erectile disorders
• Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (previous dyspareunia and vaginismus)
• Orgasmic dysfunction or anorgasmia

Premature and delayed ejaculation (for men)

Your GP is likely to carry out some tests, including bloods, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk assessment, genital examination, and/or trial of the medication Sildenafil (Viagra) (if suitable).

Pain during, or inability to have, penetrative sex (for women)

An examination is required to rule out any dermatology, gynaecology or urology conditions that will need treatment prior to a psychosexual therapy referral.

Please bring your referral letter if you have been to your GP.

Use our online form to book your appointment

You can call us between 10am to 2pm, throughout the week.

Please be aware our phone lines close every Wednesday afternoon at 1:00pm.

Call 0300 365 7777

The Garden Clinic

Upton Hospital
Albert Street
Slough
SL1 2BJ

Call 0300 365 7777

The Garden Clinic (Community Health Clinic)

St Marks Hospital
St Marks Road
Maidenhead
SL6 6DU

Call 0300 365 7777

The Garden Clinic

Skimped Hill Health Centre
Skimped Hill Lane
Bracknell
RG12 1LH

Call 0300 365 7777

We also offer Young Person’s clinics in Slough and Bracknell if you're aged 18 or under. 

You can call us between 10am to 2pm, throughout the week.

Please be aware our phone lines close every Wednesday afternoon at 1:00pm.

Call 0300 365 7777

The Garden Clinic

Upton Hospital
Albert Street
Slough
SL1 2BJ

Call 0300 365 7777

Skimped Hill Health Centre

Bracknell
RG12 1LH

Call 0300 365 7777

Braccan Walk Youth Centre

The Ring
Bracknell
RG12 1GN

Call 0300 365 7777 

Bracknell and Wokingham College

Church Road
Bracknell
RG12 1DJ

Call 0300 365 7777