Contraception is available via family doctors, sexual health clinics, pharmacies, and online
- There may be fewer contraception choices available in some areas, to minimise contact between patients and health care staff
- Contraceptive pills, the patch or ring (and sometimes the injection) can be obtained after a discussion with a doctor or nurse (by telephone or online)
- Some clinics may not currently be fitting or removing contraception implants, the copper IUD or hormonal IUS
- New guidance suggests that many brands of the implant, the copper IUD and hormone IUS are effective for longer than the usual expiry dates
- It is not harmful to keep fitted methods in for longer than usual, but some methods may stop working – it is important to check this with a healthcare professional
- Contact a family doctor or a sexual health clinic by phone or online to discuss your situation
- Electronic prescriptions can be collected at a pharmacy, or delivered (if the pharmacy offers this)
- A clinic appointment will be arranged for anyone who needs to be seen
- It is important not to travel to a GP surgery, clinic or hospital unless you are asked to
- Each local area has different arrangements for condom distribution, and this is changing rapidly
- Some areas offer online registration for free condoms: See for example Come Correct (for some areas of London, UK)
- Condoms can be bought online to avoid visiting shops: for example via NHS Freedoms website
- The once-daily progestogen-only pill is a safe option for almost everyone
- Contact your famiily doctor or sexual health service by telephone or online to discuss the options
- Electronic prescriptions can be collected at a pharmacy, or delivered to your home (if the pharmacy offers this)
- The combined pill, patch or ring (which all contain estrogen) are safe for most people (although not for some, because of their medical history or family history)
- If your blood pressure was measured in the last year and was normal, and you know your weight and height, it may be possible to get a prescription
- Contact your family doctor or sexual health service by telephone or online to discuss the options
- Electronic prescriptions can be collected at a pharmacy, or delivered to your home (if the pharmacy offers this)
- Depo contraception injections do not work properly after 14 weeks
- There is one type of contraceptive injection that you can inject yourself (Sayana Press®).
- See video: How to inject Sayana Press
- A doctor or nurse might be able to teach you to do this via a videolink
- You’ll need a small sharps box to dispose of the needle safely
- If you cannot renew your injection, the progestogen-only pill is a suitable option
- Contact your family doctor or sexual health service by telephone or online to discuss the options
- Electronic prescriptions and sharps boxes can be collected at a pharmacy, or delivered to your home (if the pharmacy offers this)
- Clinics may not be fitting or removing contraceptive implants or IUD/IUS coils (unless there are serious problems), to reduce the risk of Coronavirus spreading from person to person
- New guidance suggests that many brands of the implant, the copper IUD and hormonal IUS are safe and effective for longer than the usual expiry dates
- It is not harmful to keep fitted methods in for longer than usual, but some methods may stop working – it is important to check this with a healthcare professional
- Contact your family doctor or sexual health service by telephone or online to discuss the options
- A clinic appointment will be arranged for anyone who needs to be seen
- It is important not to travel to a GP surgery, clinic or hospital unless you are asked to
Many fitted contraception methods are thought to be effective for longer than the usual expiry date:
- Contraceptive Implants are licensed for 3 years but are likely to be effective for up to 4 years
- Many brands of IUS (hormonal coil) are licensed for 5 years, but are likely to be effective for up to 6 years
- Copper IUDs which are licenced for 10 years are likely to be effective for up to 12 years
- Condoms or the progestogen-only pill can be used in addition to fitted methods (after their expiry dates)
- Some methods can’t be relied on after their expiry dates (e.g. 5-year Copper IUDs, and low progestogen IUS Kyleena® and Jaydess)
If you are having problems with a fitted method, or would like it removed:
- There may be solutions to some problems – for example, irregular bleeding can often be settled with a short course of the progestogen-only or combined pill
- Contact your GP or sexual health service by telephone or online to discuss your concerns
- It is important not to travel to a GP surgery, clinic or hospital unless you are asked to
- Contact sexual health clinics and GP services by phone or online
- Doctors and nurses can issue electronic prescriptions for you to collect at a pharmacy, or for home delivery (if the pharmacy offers this)
- Some contraception methods can be bought online – check that the source is trustworthy, since fake medicines are common
- It is important not to travel to a GP surgery, clinic or hospital unless you are asked to
