Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

What to do next if you want to try longer-lasting contraception

How to get longer-lasting contraception

Your GP or family planning staff can tell you about longer-lasting contraception in more detail and help you decide if this is the right choice for you.

If your local practice or family planning service does not have staff trained to fit longer-lasting contraception, they will refer you to somewhere that does.

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What will happen when I see the doctor or nurse?

Your GP or the family planning staff will explain what types of longer-lasting contraception may be suitable for you.

Implants, intrauterine devices and systems can all be used by women of all ages and regardless of whether you have had children or not.

They will ask about your medical history and types of contraception you have used before.

They will help you choose the best method for you, explain its use, and arrange for fitting at a suitable time.

They will also ask some questions to check you are not already pregnant or at risk of having an sexually transmitted infection.

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Safer sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

After you've had a longer-lasting contraceptive fitted, is still important to practise safer sex.

Longer-lasting contraception doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so you should still use a condom until you and your partner have been tested for, and are free from, STIs.

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