Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes. All of our clinics welcome young people under 25 years of age and all of our clinics have been accredited as Young Person Friendly. We also have a dedicated young persons’ service provided by Brook Wirral which has nurses and councillors who specialise in the health & wellbeing of young people under the age of 19. All of our services are confidential, which means we will not share your details or tell anybody about your visit, irrespective of your age.

The only time we may need to discuss you or any of your test results with a GP or healthcare professional is if we:

• are unable to contact you by your chosen method of communication
• feel there is harm to you or somebody else. This is to help protect your health

Yes. It’s very important to us that you are confident in accessing our service.

To help us help you and provide the best advice, care & support possible we will require you to provide us with personal information about yourself and about your visit. The information you provide us with is kept confidentially on a secure IT service database and is only shared with staff within our service. All of our staff follow strict information governance and patient confidentiality guidelines.

Without your permission we will not:

• write to your GP about the care/treatment you have received
• refer you to other specialist services
• share your information

The only time we may need to discuss you or any of your test results with a GP or healthcare professional is if we:

• are unable to contact you by your chosen method of communication
• feel there is harm to you or somebody else. This is to help protect your health

Your test results will be sent via your chosen method of communication - text, telephone call or letter. Texting is the most popular method of contact, as it’s easy and quick.

If your tests show infection we may text you to ask you to contact the clinic - we will not disclose your name or the tests you have had in the text message. If you have not heard from us within 7-10 days then we advise that you contact us on 0300 123 5474.

It’s always risky to let your pill supply run down to the last day, but we understand that a busy life can sometimes get in the way. If you find yourself in this position, we advise you to visit one of our clinics as soon as possible. Contact Sexual health Wirral: 0300 123 5474. 

If you already use oral contraception, (the pill) you can now get your next supply from selected local pharmacies click on the link for further information: Pharmacy Oral Contraception Pilot - Sexual Health Wirral 

You can bleed for up to 3-6 months after a Mirena coil has been fitted, however, this should just be spotting (light bleeding) either intermittently or continuously. 

However, If you have bleeding along with severe pain, you feel unwell, you have an unusual discharge or are bleeding excessively you should contact us immediately. Call our team to book a telephone consultation on 0300 123 5474.

The usual treatment we give for chlamydia is called Doxycycline, although this will depend on what is decided during your consultation. Doxycycline is generally taken twice a day for seven days and can sometimes make you feel nauseous and sick. This is a normal side effect so don’t worry. It should pass within a couple of hours.  If you actually vomit within 2 hours of taking your treatment please call our clinic: 0300 123 5474 for advice 

Sometimes sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can take time to show up on tests, so if you have had unprotected sex the night before or a couple of days ago, we are happy to test you, but we always advise a retest 1 - 2 weeks later in case any infection has developed.

If you have any symptoms, you should come along to one of our walk-ins and wait clinics or contact 0300 123 5474 to book an appointment  as soon as possible. 

If you receive a text message or telephone call telling you your recent tests were ‘negative’, this means that no infection was picked up on the sample(s) you provided, so no treatment or medication is required.

Yes. In fact sometimes it can be easier to fit a coil during this time. Our clinical teams are used to fitting coils during a woman’s period. This also rules out any risk of pregnancy.

All women who are registered with a GP are invited for smear tests:

• Aged 25 to 49 – invited every three years
• Aged 50 to 64 – invited every five years
• Over 65 - only women who haven't been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests

Yes. You can book, cancel, or check your appointment online.

If you are unable to make your appointment, please call the team on 0300 123 5474 as soon as possible. We can rearrange your appointment over the phone.

Unfortunately we do not offer fertility treatment or advice. There can be many reasons somebody is having trouble getting pregnant. You will need to speak to your GP who will give you advice and help investigate any possible medical problems. Your GP may choose to refer you to a more specialised service.

Yes. Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and herpes are bacterial and can be passed on from oral sex. Using condoms for oral sex can reduce your risk. If you suspect you have an infection in your throat or have an usual discharge or mucus in your mouth that could be related to an STI contact our clinics: 0300 123 5474 

Reliable pregnancy test kits are available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets and give you the opportunity to take your test in a private and familiar environment. Sometimes your GP may be able to offer you a pregnancy test.

We can provide pregnancy testing to people who are unsure or worried they may be pregnant and possibly require an onward referral or support.

You can get infected with hepatitis B if you have had contact with an infected person's blood or other body fluids.

We can provide vaccinations to:

• people who inject drugs or have a partner who injects drugs
• people who change their sexual partners frequently
• men who have sex with men
• male and female sex workers

You will need to contact your GP if you require a hepatitis B vaccination for employment or travel purposes or adoption or fostering.

Emergency contraception (EHC) or the ‘morning after pill’, as it’s commonly known, is a tablet containing a hormone called progesterone.  There are two types of emergency contraception:

• Levonorgestrel - must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
• EllaOne - must be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex

Our partner pharmacies across Wirral provide free emergency contraception. It’s always advisable to call in advance to check they have a suitable pharmacist on duty who can administer emergency contraception. 

Your own GP can also provide you with emergency contraception by prescription, as can most NHS walk in centres.

The IUD (copper coil) is also a method of emergency contraception please contact our clinic for more information: 0300 123 5474 

Contraceptive implants are usually effective for 3 years and it’s important that you keep a close eye on your replacement/removal date. Our clinics do not send out reminders.

If you realise you have ran over the 3 years it’s very important that you visit one of our clinics as soon as possible and use an additional method of contraception such as condoms, until your implant has been replaced.  

To have your implant removed or replaced you will require an appointment at one of our clinics. We do not offer walk in sessions for the replacement or removal of implants.

There is no way of knowing how long ago you contracted the warts virus, as it can often lay dormant and show no signs or symptoms for years. There is no test to see if you have the virus, it’s only when the warts appear and you can see them visually that you know something is wrong.

If you feel you do not want to continue with the pregnancy please contact British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) on 03457 30 40 30 (calls are charged at a local rate) who can arrange an appointment for you. Phone lines are open 7 days a week.

If you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy and need to speak to somebody you can book a telephone consultation with one of our nurses or clinic appointment online.