Contraception

Contraception is designed to protect you from pregnancy. There are many different methods of contraception, both Long-acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) or methods you use daily. It is important to find the right one for you, your sexual activity and lifestyle.

Condoms

Condoms are the only form of contraception which can also protect you from STIs. Although they are not 100% guaranteed, when used properly they are extremely effective.

If you are under 25 (even if you are under 16) you can get free condoms at your local sexual health clinic – St Mary’s Health Campus.

For more options click here.

Long-acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

LARC is contraception that does not depend on you remembering to take or use it to be effective and this allows you to ‘fit and forget’.

These include:

• Injection
• Implant
• Coil

To find the best type of contraception for you, click here.

Oral Contraception

The combined oral contraceptive pill, often just called “the pill”, contains artificial versions of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are produced naturally in the ovaries.

When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Other methods of contraception, such as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), is better at preventing pregnancy.

The standard way to take the pill is to take one every day for 21 days, then have a break for seven days. During this week you will have a bleed like a period. You then start taking the pill again.

Find out more on the NHS website.

Accessing Oral Contraception

Pharmacy Oral Contraception Service

Pharmacies in Portsmouth can provide a first and repeat supplies of oral contraception for free, without the patient needing to speak with their GP practice.

This service aims to make it easier for residents to manage their contraceptive pill instead of having to wait for a GP or sexual health clinic appointment. All participating pharmacies have private consultation rooms and can give the same expert advice and checks.

When to use this service:

• If you need a repeat supply of oral contraception, you can get these for free from pharmacies across Portsmouth and surrounding areas.
• If you need to start or change oral contraception, pharmacies across Portsmouth can initiate up to three months of oral contraceptives for free, at a time convenient for you.

If you would like to find a pharmacy offering this service, see the table below.

Please note – This service aims to create additional capacity and is not a replacement for existing services.

Emergency Contraception

If you had unprotected sex or used contraception that may have failed, then you may need emergency contraception and you should access it as soon as possible (it should be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex for it to be effective, but the sooner it’s taken the more effective it will be).

Emergency contraception is available for free from:

• Sexual health services
• Pharmacies
• GP Surgeries

If you are wanting Emergency Contraception, see the table below.

Alternatively, you can visit Let’s Talk About It or call 0300 300 2016.

Please note – emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of contraception.

Portsmouth pharmacies offering free oral and emergency contraception