Where can I get the morning after pill?
Most people know that you can get the morning after pill from your GP, or you can buy it from your nearest pharmacy, but there are several more discreet and convenient places to get emergency contraception, like our Online Doctor service.
In this article we’ll look at where to get the morning after pill and emergency coil, on the NHS, privately and online.
| Type of emergency contraception | Where to get it |
| ellaOne |
|
| Levonorgestrel |
|
Types of emergency contraception
There are three main types of emergency contraception available in the UK:
Morning after pill
Levonorgestrel
Levonogestrel (generic Levonelle) is a tablet and it should be taken within three days (72 hours) of having unprotected sex, but try and take it as soon as possible.
ellaOne
ellaOne can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex and is thought to be more effective than Levonorgestrel if taken after the initial 24 hours have passed.
Emergency copper coil
The copper coil (IUD) effective up to 5 days after sex and acts as a persistent contraceptive. However, it must be fitted by a trained medical professional.
The emergency IUD is the most effective emergency contraception.
How to get the morning after pill
There are lots of different ways you can get emergency contraception. Lots of people will visit their GP or local sexual health clinic, but you can also get it from some high street pharmacies, as well as online healthcare services.
1. Can you get the morning after pill online?
Yes, there are a variety of services that offer the morning after pill online. Some of these are free, and some are private services like LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
Simply complete a short consultation online and a clinician will review your information. If medically suitable, your order will be approved. You can choose next-day home delivery or local ParcelShop collection.
This is a good option for women who need the morning after pill quickly and conveniently. It's also convenient for women who don't want to talk to a doctor or pharmacist face to face.
2. Can you get the morning after pill over the counter?
If you want to get hold of the morning after pill quickly, you can go into most high street pharmacies and buy it over the counter. They typically offer both Levonorgestrel (sometimes known as Levonelle) and ellaOne.
You’ll have to talk to a pharmacist about your health before receiving your emergency contraception.
You cannot get the emergency IUD fitted at a high street pharmacy, but the pharmacist will have advice about where you could go for that service.
Where else to get the morning after pill
As well as online, you can get the morning after pill in person. Places where you can get emergency contraception include:
1.Your GP
Getting a prescription for the morning after pill through your GP also makes it free on the NHS. Typically, you can get both types of morning after pill (Levonorgestrel and ellaOne) from GP surgeries, and sometimes an emergency copper coil.
The obvious downside with getting the morning after pill from a GP is that it can be hard to get a last-minute appointment. Equally, some women prefer not to go to their family doctor for such discreet matters.
2. Family planning and sexual health clinics
These are clinics that cater specifically to contraception and sexual health issues. You will always be able to access emergency contraception from these clinics for free. Find the family planning clinic or sexual health clinic closer to you.
These types of clinic are the best place to go if you want to be fitted with the emergency IUD.
The main benefit to using these clinics is that you do not require an appointment and can simply walk in - although you may have to wait to be seen. On the downside, you may have to travel further from your home, and you will still need to speak with someone face to face.
3. Brook centres and other young person’s services
Brook centres cater to women under 25 and will always provide emergency contraception for free. As with sexual health clinics, you can simply walk into a Brook centre - although in some cases you can also make an appointment in advance.
Find the Brook Centre closer to you.
4. NHS walk-in centres & minor injuries units
In England, you can get emergency contraception at some walk-in clinics and minor injuries units. But, because it requires someone who is specifically trained in fitting the device, it might not be a widely available service.
Find the closest NHS walk-in centre to you in England.
How to ask for the morning after pill
Some people might be a bit worried about asking for the morning after pill, but usually it’s a very simple process, and there’s nothing to be concerned about.
How you ask for it depends on where you get it. You might need to book an appointment, ask a pharmacist in a shop or simply request it online. You can ask to be in a private room if you request your pill over the counter. Many pharmacies will offer this as standard.
Do you have to answer questions to get the morning after pill?
Yes, to get the morning after pill, or the emergency coil, you’ll have to answer a couple of questions. These make sure you need it and it’s clinically suitable. Think of these questions like the ones your GP might ask if you’ve booked an appointment for any other reason.
You might be asked:
- What you normally use as contraception
- Why you need emergency contraception
- How long it’s been since you had unprotected sex
- About your period
- If you could be pregnant
- About medical conditions or medication you’re taking
Will the morning after pill go on your health record?
No, the morning after pill will not be added to your health record. The only time you may need to talk about the morning after pill again is if you’re sick within 3 hours of taking it.
Conclusion
Depending on your circumstances there are a variety of places you can get the morning after pill. Taking emergency contraception, such as ellaOne as soon as possible after unprotected sex makes it more effective. This may affect the type of service you choose to use. You may prefer an online service rather than speaking to someone face to face.
References
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/where-can-i-get-emergency-contraception/
