Sexual Health
Termination
If you find that you are pregnant but you don’t want to be and are too late to take emergency contraception, your options are:
- Continue with the pregnancy and keep the baby (see pregnancy and parenthood page)
- Continue with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted
- Terminate the pregnancy (have an abortion)
If you decide you cannot continue with the pregnancy, it is important to get advice quickly. You can self refer to the Women's Health Unit by calling 01698 366926. This referral line is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm. Consultations will be carried out over the phone and options for treatment will be discussed at this point.
When you attend this clinic, the initial appointment will take approximately 1 hour and you will:
- See a nurse and a doctor
- Have an ultrasound scan to tell how many weeks pregnant you are
- Discuss the different methods of termination of pregnancy and decide which method is safest for you
- Have a blood test taken - to check your blood group and that you are not anaemic
- Be offered screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis
- Talk about what method of contraception you want to use after the termination of pregnancy
Before you leave the clinic you will have information on the procedure, the dates of the procedure and any special instructions. Please be aware that you are not committing yourself to any procedure by coming to this clinic. You will be able to talk to the nurses and doctor about your decision. Having an unintended pregnancy can be a very difficult and often emotional time. It is important to ensure that you make the right decision for you at the point you are in your life. More information is available in this short film about the procedure.
Helping you to prevent unintended pregnancy in the future is an important part of the service offered. Most methods of contraception can be started immediately or very soon after a termination of pregnancy.
What is a termination?
A termination is a way of ending an unintended pregnancy either using medicines (drugs) or a surgical procedure.
- Early Medical Termination (up to 9 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy) is the safest and most effective method for women who are less than 10 weeks pregnant. Early medical abortion can be achieved by taking oral medication (tablets). One set of medication is taken at the hospital appointment and a second set of tablets can be taken at home to complete the process.
- Medical Termination (from 9 weeks until 18–20 weeks pregnant) this involves attending two hospital appointments as the procedure is in two parts.
- Suction Termination (if you are less than 14 weeks pregnant) This procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic; this means that you will be asleep. The operation lasts 10–20 minutes.
Deciding to have a termination
In Great Britain (Scotland, England and Wales) the law (Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990) allows a woman to have an abortion (termination) up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, if two doctors agree that it is less likely to cause harm to her physical or mental health than continuing with the pregnancy.
Most abortions (80-90%) are carried out before 13 weeks of pregnancy. Only about 1% is carried out after 20 weeks.
Within Lanarkshire we can offer abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, women who are over 20 weeks are referred to BPAS. These very late abortions require the medical team to have highly specialised skills and are usually only carried out in England.
The right to refuse
A doctor or nurse has the right to refuse to take part in the procedure if they do not believe in abortion. However, they should always refer you on to another doctor or nurse who will help. The General Medical Council guidance for doctors makes it clear that a doctor’s ‘personal beliefs’ should not affect patient care. There is similar guidance provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council for nurses, and by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain for pharmacists. If your doctor is not being helpful, try to see another doctor or nurse at your general practice or visit your local sexual health clinic.
Confidentiality
The decision to have an abortion is a matter between you and your healthcare team. All information and treatment are confidential whatever your age. This means that information cannot be shared with anyone else without your agreement unless we have serious concerns about your immediate safety.
Free Condoms No Fuss -Sexual Health Services – SH
What is C Card - Free Condoms No Fuss?
Condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and can also help protect against unintended pregnancy.
C Card - Free Condoms No Fuss is the scheme that provides condoms and lubricant for free to anyone who lives, works or studies in Lanarkshire. You can get free condoms either by collecting them from a C Card Centre or by having them posted to your home address if you live in Lanarkshire.
What is a C Card Centre?
These are the places (usually health centres, community pharmacies and some GP surgeries) where you can get a bag of 12 condoms for free. There are over 100 C Card Centres throughout Lanarkshire, use the location finder to find the Centre closest to you.
A C Card can be shown for collection but you don’t need to have a card to ask for free condoms.
You also do not need to be registered as a patient with any of these centres as you won’t be asked for your name or other personal details.
Condom Types
The back of the C Card gives you the choices of condoms that are offered. If you don’t have a card the table below lists the types on offer.
EXT = Extra | Slightly thicker condom with extra lubricant |
FLA = Flavoured | Flavoured and coloured condoms |
SEN = Sensitive | Thinner condom for enhanced sensitivity. |
NAT = Natural | Natural colour and feeling. |
LAT = Latex-free | Non-latex, made from ultra-thin synthetic resin. Available to those people with a known allergy to latex. |
VAR = Variety | A selection of 12 condoms and 2 lubricant. |
LAR = Large | Wider and longer condom. |
INT = Internal | Non-latex ultra-sensitive feeling vaginal condom. Previously known as The Female condom |
TRI = Trim | Tighter and closer fitting condom. |
BLK = Black | Black coloured condoms with a larger fit. |
LUB = Lubricant | Gentle, clear lubricant. Paraben free. |
How do I use the Condoms by Post service?
The NHS Lanarkshire Condoms by Post service is available to anyone with a Lanarkshire address.
To access this service, please call 0300 303 0216 and leave a message or email freecondoms@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk leaving your;
- name
- address
- type of condoms you would like to receive – all the options for the types of condoms we provide are listed in the table above (maximum of 1 selection per order).
Once your order is received it will be delivered in a plain envelope containing loose condoms and/or lubricant usually within 7 working days. We are now sending loose rather than bagged condoms to improve sustainability and reduce waste.
Get Rubbered
This is a free confidential scheme run by the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Scotland. It is a postal service for gay and bisexual men living in Lanarkshire who require condoms and lubricant (lube) for anal sex. Free condoms and lube can be posted directly to your address in a discreet wrapper. The Get Rubbered Scheme provides an alternative to the C Card Scheme for men who have sex with men who may be concerned about identifying their sexual orientation when asking for particular condoms via the C Card Scheme.
To order free condoms or to find out more, visit www.getrubbered.com or contact Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland on 0141 332 3838
Condom demo video
The following video shows how to use a condom properly (on a demonstration model) – condom demo video.
Users of the scheme will be treated in confidence and with respect and we expect staff to be treated with the same respect. Staff who deliver the C Card scheme have the right to refuse condoms to anyone who acts in an aggressive or disrespectful way. For further information on the C Card scheme please call the Blood Borne Virus and Sexual Health Promotion Team on 0300 303 0216 (Please note we are unable to assist with appointments for sexual health clinics at this number).
Reporting Abuse
Reporting Abuse
Many people are put in the position of experiencing unwanted sexual contact or are forced in some way into sexual acts. It is never the fault of the person who is being abused. If consent is not given, then anyone subjecting another person to any form of indecent behaviour is committing a crime.
Going out with someone, being married to them, or if they have agreed to sex before, are not excuses. There is no free invitation to have sexual intercourse with someone. If someone does not freely consent and is forced to have sex, then it is rape.
Whatever form it takes, unwanted sexual contact can be a painful experience both physically and emotionally. Rape without physical injury is just as emotionally damaging. This emotional pain can often get worse if the person keeps it to themselves. If you have been sexually assaulted or raped, you may not want to or find it difficult to tell someone. There are, however, many ways that you can get support (see below).
Adult residents in Lanarkshire can use the Archway Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Appointments can be arranged by calling 0141 211 8175. You do not have to report what has happened to the Police, but if you choose to, most Police Stations have officers who are specially trained to deal with your situation in a sensitive way. If the assault happened less than 7 days, the Police will arrange to take you to Archway. If it is more than 7 days you can still make a complaint. It is a good idea to bring someone you trust with you, if possible for support.
If you report the incident as soon as possible, this will enable the capture of any forensic evidence. Once you have told the police that you have been raped or sexually assaulted, or the suspect has been charged, you have the right to remain anonymous and none of your details can appear in a paper or on TV or radio.
Help and Support
Archway – specialist sexual assault referral centre based in Glasgow and provides forensic medical examinations, sexual health screening, emergency contraception, follow up support and counselling to people over 16 who have experienced recent sexual assault. Appointments can be arranged on 0141 211 8175. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre (LRCC) - 01698 527003, www.lanrcc.org.uk. LRCC will talk to any woman or girl who has had an unwanted sexual experience
Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – 0800 027 1234 (24 hour, confidential, free from landlines – mobile costs may vary) https://sdafmh.org.uk GBV Services based in NHS Lanarkshire offers services to women living in Lanarkshire. Ask a Health Professional to contact us on your behalf.
Rape Crisis Scotland - 08088 01 03 02 (daily, 6pm to midnight) www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Women’s Support Project, support for women whose children have been sexually abused – 0141 418 0748, www.womenssupportproject.co.uk
Men and boys can get help and support from Survivors UK - 02035983898, www.survivorsuk.org
General mental health contacts:
Samaritans – 0845 790 9090, www.samaritans.org
Childline (for children and young people only) – 0800 1111, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, www.childline.org.uk
Apps – Sexual Health
Apps
The apps have been discontinued for use after the 31st March 2024. Please continue to use this website to find all the most up to date information on local sexual health services.
C Card app
The C Card app provides information on how to access free condoms in Lanarkshire, where the C Card Centres are and the different types of condoms available.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
Young People Clinics – Sexual Health
Young People Clinics
NHS Lanarkshire provide walk-in clinics across North and South Lanarkshire for young people up to the age of 20 years. They are provided in both health and non-health settings. The staff are specially trained and are used to seeing young people.
- YP (Young People’s) Clinics are staffed by sexual health nurses and offer; testing (STI/BBV), condoms, pregnancy testing, some forms of contraception.
- YP+ (Young People’s Plus) Clinics are staffed by sexual health nurses and doctors and offer; testing (STI/BBV), STI treatment, condoms, pregnancy testing, all forms of contraception.
All services are confidential, so your parents or carers won’t be informed if you attend, however, if a young person under 16 years old shares some information which places them or someone else in danger, staff may have to share the information disclosed with other agencies. Find your local clinic.
How to get tested – Sexual Health
How to get Tested
If you are worried that you are or have been at risk of getting an STI or BBV and would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open Mon-Thurs: 8am–5.45pm and Fri: 8am–4pm). A list of all clinic times and venues is on the Services page of this website. You can also be tested by your GP or can order a free HIV self test online through Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) which offers rapid HIV tests that deliver results in up to 20 minutes.
Currently, the THT Lanarkshire Fastest Clinic is suspended, but you can still contact staff by phone or email – see contact details on the THT Lanarkshire ‘Fastest’ Clinic page. You can also access Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) postal testing kits if you live in Lanarkshire, which are free, confidential and easy to use. For more information and to order a testing kit, please visit the test consultation page.
Whether you have symptoms or not, if you are at all worried or think you may have been at risk by having unprotected sex (including oral, anal or vaginal) please make an appointment or if you are aged 20 or under, access one of the walk-in clinics listed in the Services section of this website. Anything you say will be treated in confidence and staff will talk you through any tests and treatment you may need to receive. If you are worried about what to expect or have never attended a sexual health clinic before, please watch our clinic visit video clips:
Just so you know - Chelsea's Clinic visit from NHSL Health Improvement on Vimeo.
Just so you know - Dylan's clinic visit from NHSL Health Improvement on Vimeo.
Non-STIs – Sexual Health
Non-STIs
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common infection where the balance of the bacteria in the vagina becomes disrupted. It doesn’t usually cause any vaginal itching or soreness, but often causes some unusual vaginal discharge, which may be white or grey in colour, thin and watery and have a strong fishy smell.
It is not known for sure what causes bacterial vaginosis, but it is not something you can catch from your partner. Male partners, therefore, do not need to be treated. It is best diagnosed by taking a small sample of the discharge from the vagina. The diagnosis can often be made right away by looking at the sample down a microscope. Women with bacterial vaginosis sometimes have other infections as well, so it is worth thinking about having a full sexual health check-up.
The most common treatment of bacterial vaginosis is an antibiotic called metronidazolel. Symptoms usually disappear within a day or two. Partners do not need to be seen or treated, however, if they have any symptoms it could be worth them having a sexual-health check-up too.
Learn more about bacterial vaginosis.
Cystitis
Cystitis is quite common among women, and it means an inflammation of the bladder and the urethra (the tube that takes urine from the bladder). It is unusual for men or children to have cystitis, and they should see a doctor if they do.
It is often caused by germs from the anus getting into the vagina and up the urethra. This can happen during sex, using tampons or wiping from back to front after going to the toilet. Vigorous sexual activity or wearing very tight jeans might cause slight damage to your body and this can cause cystitis. Some women also have a reaction to things like scented soaps or vaginal deodorants. ‘Holding on too long’ before passing urine keeps germs in the bladder, and tight trousers or nylon underwear create the warm, moist conditions that germs love.
Cystitis can make you may feel you really need to pass urine often, but only a small amount comes out. You may also have a burning or stinging feeling when you do pass urine. Sometimes the urine may be cloudy, strong-smelling or have blood in it. Other symptoms are aching in the lower back or abdomen and feeling feverish. Antibiotics may be required to clear the infection.
It’s not always possible to know exactly what causes cystitis, but there are certain things you can do to help prevent it. Drink plenty of water (about 4 pints a day) to keep germs flushed out. Go to the toilet when you feel like it, and always wipe front to back. Avoid tight trousers and nylon underwear, and scented soaps, bubble bath or vaginal deodorants. Also cut down any food or drink that you think might make your cystitis worse, like tea, coffee, alcohol and spicy food. If cystitis comes on after sex: wash your genital area and hands before sex, and try passing urine after (to help flush out any germs). Use a water-based lubricant if your vagina feels dry during sex.
Although cystitis is not sexually-transmitted, you should always practice safer sex. This means using condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex. Around 1 in 3 women will experience cystitis at some point in their lives.
Scabies
Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It can be passed on through close body or sexual contact, or from infected clothing, bedding or towels. The mites are very difficult to see, but usually, cause a rash or tiny spots. If you have scabies, you may have intense itching that is worse at night. The itching can be in your genital area, but it also often occurs between your fingers, on wrists and ankles, under your arms, or on your body and breasts.
Scabies can usually be successfully treated using special creams or shampoos available over the counter in most pharmacies. The itching can sometimes continue for a short period, even after effective treatment. You do not have to be seen by your GP, but it is still advisable to visit a sexual health clinic to be tested and potentially treated for other STIs.
Learn more about scabies.
Thrush
Thrush, also known as candidiasis, is a yeast infection that normally affects women and is a common infection that appears in the vagina. There are other kinds of thrush that can affect the throat, but these are less common.
Thrush is caused by a yeast called candida, which usually lives harmlessly in the body, but can multiply to cause an infection. It is more common during pregnancy and in people with diabetes. It is not an STI. Thrush might cause itching, soreness and swelling around the vagina, or a thick white discharge. You may also feel discomfort when passing urine or during sex. If a man has sex with a woman with thrush, this may cause some skin irritation on the man’s penis.
Thrush can be treated by tablets, either put directly into your vagina (pessaries) or taken by mouth and using a soothing cream around the genital area. Some women have repeated bouts of thrush. It is not entirely clear why this is, and it is often different for different women, but there are things you can do to help prevent thrush from coming on:
- Avoid wearing nylon underwear or tight jeans (this may help the yeast develop in a moist, warm environment)
- After going to the toilet, always wipe from front to back to avoid getting germs into the vagina.
- Some women can get thrush after taking antibiotics. If this is the case, you can ask your doctor for treatment for thrush at the same time.
- Avoid using vaginal deodorants, perfumed soaps, douches and disinfectants.
Thrush is not something you can catch from your partner, however, it can be triggered by sex.
If you think you have thrush or are worried about any infection, you can get treatment from your GP or speak to a local Pharmacy.
BBVs – Sexual Health
BBVs
BBVs or blood-borne viruses are viruses that are transmitted via blood but also through other bodily fluids. In relation to sexual health; HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common infections and they vary in terms of their transmission, symptoms and treatment.
Easyread leaflets are available by visiting Waverley Care's website.
If you are worried that you are or have been at risk of getting a BBV and would like to make an appointment at any one of our clinics, please call 0300 303 0251 (line open Mon-Thurs: 8am–5.45pm and Fri: 8am–4pm). If you think you have been exposed to HIV, for example having unprotected sex with someone who may be HIV positive, then you can reduce your risk of becoming infected by taking Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which is a short course of tablets. PEP can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after sexual exposure but is more likely to be effective within 24 hours (1 day), so it’s important to act very quickly. You can access PEP by phoning the appointment line on 0300 303 0251. Please contact Accident and Emergency Services when the appointment line and clinics are closed.
You can also be tested by your GP or at the weekly THT “Fastest” Clinic. Please check before attending if the clinic is open due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition, the main HIV treatment clinic in Lanarkshire takes place on a Tuesday afternoon at the Lanarkshire HIV, AIDS & Hepatitis Service (LHAHS), Monklands Hospital. The clinic is provided by specialist doctors and nurses who are trained in HIV management. For HIV testing, appointments can generally be more flexible. The secretaries will try to give you an appointment time that suits you.
Once someone is tested and diagnosed positive with Hepatitis B, C or HIV, they will be referred to the specialist treatment services to be assessed for treatment.
Hairmyres Hepatitis Service
Gastro Nurse Office – Ward 17
Hairmyres Hospital
Eaglesham Road
East Kilbride, G75 8RG
Tel: 01355 584049 (answer machine)
Monklands BBV Service (Hepatitis and HIV Clinic)
Ward 2
Monklands Hospital
Monkscourt Avenue
Airdrie, ML6 0JS
Tel: 01698 752444 or 01698 752445
PrEP
PrEP is now available in Scotland. For information on PrEP please visit: www.prep.scot. To find out how to access PrEP in Lanarkshire, phone 0300 303 0251 for details.
Sex and the Law
Sex and the Law
If consent is not given, then anyone subjecting another person to any form of indecent behaviour is committing a crime. It is a criminal offence to touch or threaten a person in an indecent way (including groping or unwanted fondling). This is called indecent assault.
The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 was implemented 1st December 2010 and replaced a mixture of common law and statutory provision by putting Scots Law on sexual offences into a single Act. The Act broadens the definition of rape to include anal and oral rape of women and men, as well as vaginal rape. Rape is defined as penetration of someone’s vagina, anus or mouth (to however small an extent) by a penis without consent or reasonable belief in consent. The Act defines consent as a free agreement and makes it clear that consent can be withdrawn at any time. The Act also sets out an offence of sexual assault by penetration, which covers, for example, penetration by objects, and which is equivalent in seriousness to rape. The Act also creates specific offences in relation to the rape and sexual assault of children and makes it clear that anyone under the age of 13 is considered unable to consent to sexual activity. The Act applies to all offences from 1st December 2010 – offences committed prior to this date will be covered by the previous legislation and/or common law.
Going out with someone, being married to them, or if they have agreed to sex before, are not an excuse. There is no free invitation to have sexual intercourse with someone. If someone does not freely consent and is forced to have sex then it’s rape.