Sexual health and wellbeing
Having good sexual health is an important part of staying physically and emotionally healthy.
Sexual health information and services
There is a range of free and confidential services which are delivered in a safe and non-judgemental way to support you.
Visit the Health Surrey website to find out more information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Contraception, HIV support, pregnancy advice.
Find out more about Sexual Wellbeing in Surrey.
Call the Surrey sexual health booking office on 01483 675389 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm). Visit Surrey Sexual Health for more information.
Male and female sterilisation
Vasectomy (male sterilisation)
A vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy.
It's usually carried out under local anaesthetic, where you're awake but don't feel any pain, and takes about 15 minutes.
In rare cases, you may have a general anaesthetic, where you're asleep during the operation.
In most parts of the UK, a vasectomy is available free of charge from the NHS. But waiting lists can be several months, depending on where you live.
Speak to your GP or ask at your local contraception clinic for more information.
Female sterilisation
Female sterilisation is an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. The fallopian tubes are blocked or sealed to prevent the eggs reaching the sperm and becoming fertilised.
Depending on the method used, you would either have a general anaesthetic, where you're asleep during surgery, or local anaesthetic, where you'd be awake but not feel any pain.
Women seeking information on sterilisation should speak to their GP.
Where to get more information on sterilisation
You can get more information on sterilisation from:
- GP surgeries
- contraception clinics
- sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
- some young people's services