Sexual Health Clinics:
In France, you almost always have to book an appointment to get tested for STIs. You will often have to come back a week after the date of your tests to pick up the results. If you need treatment, you may have to come back after you’ve finished the course of treatment in order to check that the infection has left your system.
In France, you almost always have to book an appointment to get tested for STIs. You will often have to come back a week after the date of your tests to pick up the results. If you need treatment, you may have to come back after you’ve finished the course of treatment in order to check that the infection has left your system.
|
Red Cross (La Croix Rouge)
43 Rue de Valois Paris 75001 Métro: Palais Royale (Line 1) or Bourse (Line 3) Monday-Friday 01.42.61.30.04 - Must phone and book an appointment Le Checkpoint Paris 36 Rue Geoffroy L’Asnier Paris 75004 Métro: Saint Paul (Line 1) or Pont Marie (Line7) Monday-Saturday 01.44.78.00.00 - Must phone and book an appointment Centre médio-social Belleville 218, Rue de Belleville 75020 Paris 01 40 33 52 00 - Must phone and book an appointment |
Centre médio-social Riddier
3 Rue de Ridder 75014 Paris 01 58 14 30 30 - Must phone and book an appointment Centre médico-social Boursault 54 bis Rue Boursault 75017 Paris 01 53 06 35 60 - Must phone and book an appointment Centre médico-social le Figuier 2 Rue du Figuier 75004 Paris 01 49 96 62 70 - Must phone and book an appointment |
Gynaecologists:
ALL English speaking GPs who specialise in gynaecology (both female)
Dr de Beco
Cabinets Médicaux
10 Passage Lisa 75011
01 49 29 47 47
Dr Simone Radenne
13 Place d’Aligre 75012
01 43 45 69 77
ALL English speaking GPs who specialise in gynaecology (both female)
Dr de Beco
Cabinets Médicaux
10 Passage Lisa 75011
01 49 29 47 47
Dr Simone Radenne
13 Place d’Aligre 75012
01 43 45 69 77
Contraception:
Emergency Contraception:
Emergency contraception is only to be used if you have had unprotected sex - usually because your other method contraception has failed (i.e: the condom broke) or contraception was not used at all. It should not be relied on as regular contraception because it is unreliable and creates unsustainable changes in the body. Emergency contraception must be taken with 72 hours of the unprotected sex taking place - the sooner you take it, the more likely it is to be effective.
If you do need emergency contraception, it is available from most pharmacies in the city. You can find your nearest pharmacy or, if it’s a Sunday, the pharmacie de garde by clicking here. You’ll need to ask for the morning after pill (la pilule de lendemain) or emergency contraception (la contraception d’urgence).
If you ask for the morning after pill, it is normal for them to ask several questions about what happened, whether the sex was consensual and where you’re currently at in your menstrual cycle. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about - they’re just making sure that you’re safe and that they’re giving you the right medication.
You’ll either be given Norlevo (usually 10 euros or so) or EllaOne (usually 20 euros or so).
If you ask for emergency contraception, there is a small chance that the pharmacy will offer to insert an IUD. These are made of copper and are sort of t-shaped. They act by releasing cooper into the womb so as to make it uninhabitable for sperm. They can stay in the body for up to 10 years. They have to be fitted in the uterus by a healthcare provider and are 99% effective. This may cost around 30 euros.
Condoms:
External condoms (those that go on a penis or sex toy as opposed to internal condoms, which sit inside the vagina) Typically made of latex and worn on the penis, external condoms are 98% effective when used correctly. They’re the only type of contraception that will protect you and your partners from STIs as well as pregnancy and should be used during sex whenever a penis is involved. They can also be used on sex toys in order to help better protect your body from any chemicals and bacteria lingering on the surface.
These types of condom are sold in most supermarkets and pharmacies. They are freely available in the SU office. If you’re ever in the UK, you can register for the condom distribution scheme - meaning you can pick up free condoms and lube from local libraries and youth centres.
They are available from most supermarkets and dispensers often found outside pharmacies and public bathrooms.
Combined Pill:
When taken correctly, the combined pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It contains a combination of progesterone and oestrogen which act to change the thickness of the lining of the womb to make it harder for sperm to penetrate the egg and harder for eggs to survive.
While they all achieve the same goal, there is some variation between the different types of combined pill in terms of how you take them. As always, there may be side effects but your healthcare provider should warn you of these.
Progesterone-Only Pill:
Unlike the combined pill, the POP doesn’t contain oestrogen. If taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective in thickening the lining of the womb to make it harder for sperm to penetrate the egg. Some types of progestogen-only pills will also act to prevent ovulation. Again, like the combined pill, the POP doesn’t act to prevent STIs and you may experience side effects so make sure your healthcare provider fully explains the pros and cons before you make the decision.
Both types of pill cost around 15 euros per month from a pharmacy, GP or gynaecologist.
Contraceptive implant:
The contraceptive implant is inserted into your upper arm by a healthcare professional and releases progestogen into the body. Once it has been fitted, it doesn’t need to be replaced for another three years and is 99% effective. The implant does, however, often come with side effects such as bruising when it’s first fitted and changes to your menstrual cycle.
The implant will cost around 107 euros from a GP.
IUD / IUS:
IUDs are made of copper and sort of t-shaped. They act by releasing copper into the womb so as to make it uninhabitable for sperm. They can stay in the body for up to 10 years.
An IUS, however, releases progesterone to alter the lining of the womb. There are two brands available - Mirena and Jaydess - which vary in terms of how long they can stay in the body (between 3-5 years).
Both IUS’ and IUDs have to be fitted in the uterus by a healthcare provider. They are 99% effective but many people report that the insertion process is painful.
The IUD costs around 30 euros but the IUS costs around 125 euros.
REMEMBER:
- It may be easier to pick up hormonal contraception from the UK as you will have to check whether the cost is covered by your health insurance.
- If you take your empty pill packaging to a pharmacist, they’ll be able to renew your prescription for you.
- When in the UK, you can ask your GP for six months worth of contraception if you explain that you live abroad
