Beeline

CUSU run Beeline, a non-judgemental information and support on pregnancy, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, being a student parent, abortion, adoption, contraception and emergency contraception.

01223 333 179, Saturday and Sunday 3 – 5 pm

beeline@cusu.cam.ac.uk

Sexual Health Clinic

If you need a sexual health clinic, GUM clinic (Genito Urinary Medicine) or contraceptive clinic, our nearest clinic is:

The Laurels on 20 Newmarket Road,

Cambridge

CB5 8DT;

Tel: 08456 50 51 52

Website 

Opening times and drop in sessions are on the website.

Why go to a clinic?

• It's free

• It's completely confidential - you're assigned a number

• If you have an HIV test, nobody will know (occasionally insurers will check with GPs to see if their patient has been tested by them, but the clinic is completely separate to your GP)

• Any treatment will be free

• You will be offered free condoms and contraception.

Emergency Contraception

The (Family Planning Association) state that 'the morning after pill' can be taken within 72 hours of intercourse. It is, however, significantly more effective if taken within the first 24 hours. It’s therefore important that you act quickly.

The morning after pill may induce nausea and make your period may become irregular for a short time. However, as long as it’s not used regularly, the threat to your health is minimal. Remember that emergency contraception offers no protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections, so if you have had unprotected sex you may wish to consider having a sexual health check-up.

Alternatives

If you have had unprotected sex and are worried about pregnancy but don’t want to take the morning after pill, or if it is too late for you (for instance, because over 72 hours have passed) you can have an IUD (intrauterine device or the coil) fitted. It can be fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. The IUD (or the coil) is a small T-shaped frame with a thin copper coil around the stem which is inserted into the neck of the womb. It has to be fitted by a trained healthcare professional. It is normally used as a method of long-term birth control but can also be used to prevent pregnancy in an emergency.

Where Can I Get It From?

• Your GP or Family Planning Clinic

Your GP will ask you some questions to decide if emergency contraception is the right choice for you as well as explaining side effects, contraception and any emotions you may be feeling. You can then get a free prescription to take to a pharmacy.

List of Family Planning/GUM clinics.

• At Addenbrookes A&E department out of hours.
• Pharmacies

Some now will give it free as long as you’re registered with a Cambridge GP. It’s fairly easy to get the morning after pill. You go to the pharmacy and ask to talk to the pharmacist about emergency contraception. The pharmacist will ask you some questions and give you the pill as well as further information. The following pharmacies are part of this scheme, the nearest being Superdrug – a minute’s walk from college:

Other pharmacies will give you the same information and ask the same questions but you will have to pay for the pill. It usually costs about £25.

STI Screening

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STI, and it’s a good idea to get checked up if you are, or have been sexually active. It’s fairly easy to treat and you can take a test in the privacy of your own room.  1 in 10 sexually active under 25 year olds will have chlamydia without having any signs or symptoms. 70% of women and 50% of men who have chlamydia have NO symptoms. Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications. If left untreated chlamydia can lead to infertility in both men and women

The test and treatment for chlamydia is free and no embarrassing questions or examination for men or women.

You can request Chlamydia tests from your social welfare officers. These are free and available on request. Send one of us an email and we’ll leave one in your pigeon hole. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, then leave a note in one of our pigeonholes (I Marks or K Whitehall) stating whether you are male or female or use the anonymous email system.

Alternatively, you can order a test:

• For free online. It's completely anonymous, shipped in very discreet packaging and there's a quick turnaround. 
• From the local health trust at www.cambstakeatest.com. Fill in this form and you will get sent a free test with instructions. It arrives in a plain brown envelope and is completely confidential.
• From the CUSU Office or ask for one to be sent to you by the CUSU Student Support Officer: http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/contacts/welfare/