Contraception

Contraception is designed to protect you from pregnancy. There are many different methods and it's important to find the right one for you, your sexual activity and lifestyle.

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 – Portsmouth Pharmacy Pilot

Up to 10 pharmacies in Portsmouth are currently taking part in the Pharmacy Oral Contraceptive Pilot which allows residents full access to oral contraception for free, at a pharmacy local to them.

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

Tier 1 – If you need a repeat supply of oral contraception, you can get these for free from pharmacies across Portsmouth.

Tier 2 – If you need to start or change oral contraception, 8 pharmacies across Portsmouth can initiate up to 3 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 pilot 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 Oral and Emergency Contraception

Portsmouth Pharmacy (A-Z)Phone NumberRepeat Oral Contraception Supply (Tier 1)Initiation of Oral Contraception (Tier 2)Emergency Contraception
Bobat Pharmacy 92 Tangier Rd, Portsmouth, PO3 6HU 02392 663945
Boots the Chemist 194-204 Commercial Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 1HB 02392 825245
Boots the Chemist 31-33 Palmerston Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 3QQ 02392 821046
Boots the Chemist 48 High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3AG 02392 375118
Boots the Chemist Unit 85A and B, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ 02392 750223
Copnor Pharmacy 336 Copnor Rd, Portsmouth, PO3 5EL 02392 662511
Cosham Community Pharmacy Cosham Park House Surgery, Cosham Park Avenue, Portsmouth, PO6 3BG 02392 378341
Drayton Pharmacy 264B Havant Rd, Drayton, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA 02393 070624
Everetts Chemist 58-60 High Street, Cosham, PO6 3AG 02392 375979
Goldchem Pharmacy 147-147A Albert Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0JW 02392 731680
Laly’s Chemist 1 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2RY 02392 297293
Laly’s Chemist 145-147 Somers Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 4PT 02392 831911
Laly’s Chemist 162-166 Fawcett Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0DW 02392 781400
Laly’s Chemist 3-5 Kingston Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 5RX 02392 831112
Laly’s Chemist 6 London Rd, Portsmouth, PO2 0LH 02392 666625
Laly’s Chemist 67 Milton Rd, Copnor, Portsmouth, PO3 6AN 02392 816993
Laly’s Chemist 8E Fratton Way, Pompey Centre, Fratton, Portsmouth, PO4 8TA 02392 815206
Laly’s Chemist 52 High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3AG 02392 383429
Lloyds Pharmacy 122 Highlands Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 9NQ 02392 830926
Lloyds Pharmacy Fitzherbert Rd, Portsmouth, PO6 1RR 02392 377272
Rowlands Pharmacy 1 Festing Buildings, Highland Rd, Portsmouth, PO4 9BZ 02392 731389
Rowlands Pharmacy 187-189 Eastney Rd, Southsea, Porstmouth, PO4 8EA 02392 734999
Rowlands Pharmacy 294 London Rd, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9JN 02392 660534
Rowlands Pharmacy 30 Osborne Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3LT 02392 823118
Rowlands Pharmacy 92 Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 8AL 02392 663017
Rowlands Pharmacy 94-98 Fratton Rd, Portsmouth, PO1 5BZ 02392 821745
Sovereign/Drayton Prime Pharmacy 274 Havant Rd, Drayton, Portsmouth, PO6 1PA 02392 210211