Register with your GP!
Registering with a GP practice will give you access to free contraception, confidential sexual health advice, and sexual health screening.
You can use GP Finder to find out your local GP surgery, Find a GP – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you’re a student, it’s likely you can register with Leeds Student Medical Practice online, if this is the GP surgery you would prefer to register with. Find out if you are eligible here New Patients – Leeds Student Medical Practice and register here New Patient Registration (Leeds Student Medical Practice) – OneContact Patient Portal
Even if you don’t need support with your sexual health right now, it’s always a good idea to register with a GP when you’re new to a city, they can provide you with lots of support and help you stay well.
There are many other GP surgeries in Leeds which will accept registrations from students, depending on where in the city you live. Please use GP finder to see where you might be able to register in your local area: Find a GP – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Leeds Sexual Health Service
Leeds Sexual Health clinics offer contraception, testing and treatment for all STIs and HIV, pregnancy choice advice, vaccinations to protect from hepatitis or MPOX and support after sexual assault.
This service is also free to use and completely confidential.
You can use the sexual health service website to access all of these services, with some methods of contraception available online.
Pharmacy
Pharmacies in Leeds offer emergency contraception (“the morning after pill”). Some pharmacies in Leeds are Sexual Health Pharmacies and can give the emergency contraceptive pill to Leeds residents for free, without a prescription. You will be required to have a 15 minute confidential consultation with the pharmacist when accessing these services. Use the Service Finder and view ‘Emergency Contraception’ to see them on a map Service Finder – Leeds Sexual Health or visit Sexual Health Pharmacies – Leeds Sexual Health for more information.
What happens if I am pregnant?
The earlier you see a health professional, the sooner you can talk confidentially about your pregnancy and access support.
There are many options available to you if you’re pregnant in Leeds. You can find out more about these here Pregnancy and maternity services – Leeds Health and Care Partnership (healthandcareleeds.org)
If you’re not sure whether you’re pregnant or want some advice you can contact the Sexual Health Service as above. Leeds also offers a Pregnancy Choices Advocacy Service who can talk through your options with you in confidence. Pregnancy Choices Advocacy Service (womenshealthmatters.org.uk)
If you would like to access abortion services, details for MSI, BPAS or NUPAS can also be found on this website. You do not need to see your GP first and can book yourself in with these providers, if this is what you choose Pregnancy and maternity services – Leeds Health and Care Partnership (healthandcareleeds.org)
Sexual assault and rape
This can happen to anyone. We all have the right to not want sex or any other kind of sexual activity. We also all have the right to change our minds at any time, or to consent to doing one sexual thing with someone but not another, even if you are in a relationship with that person. No consent to sexual activity of any kind is always sexual violence.
Information on Leeds services can be found here I’ve been sexually assaulted or raped – Leeds Sexual Health and Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds offer a women only (inclusive of trans women) safe space and specialist support for any women and girls in Leeds who have been affected by sexual violence of any kind at any time in their lives Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds (supportafterrapeleeds.org.uk). You can also find your nearest Rape Crisis Centre at https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ for support for all genders.
MESMAC
Yorkshire MESMAC is a sexual health promotion service, working with most at risk populations, with a focus on LGBT+, BME and other marginalised communities. They offer:
- Free point of contact HIV tests / chlamydia & gonorrhoea postal test kits / condoms
- PrEP (a pill you can take to protect yourself from HIV.) consultations
- Nurse led clinics – Hep A, B & HPV vaccine, STI full screens, 3 site testing
- Peer support groups
- Monthly drop ins at Leeds University & Leeds Beckett University plus bespoke such as welcome week
- For more information visit mesmac.co.uk or call 01132444209
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs)
You can find out more about the symptoms of STIs here: The not-so-sexy side effects of sex (feelbetterleeds.org.uk)
If you’re worried about any of the symptoms above, pay a visit to your GP practice or sexual health clinic as soon as possible.
