Can you buy contraception in ireland

This pill is available from pharmacies without a prescription or from a doctor or family planning clinic. It must be taken within 72 hours 3 days of unprotected sex but is most effective the sooner it is taken. It must be taken within hours 5 days of unprotected sex but is most effective the sooner it is taken. Both methods of the ECP are available on a medical card from pharmacies without a prescription or from a doctor or family planning clinic.

Both methods of the ECP work by preventing or delaying ovulation, thereby preventing fertilisation. There are no long-term effects from using the ECP. However, some women may feel sick, dizzy or tired, or may get headaches, breast tenderness, diarrhoea or lower abdominal pain. These symptoms should improve within a few days. You may have some bleeding before your next period is due or your period may come early or up to one week late.

A very small number of women will vomit. See Taking the Emergency Contraceptive Pill. There is no evidence to show that taking the ECP will affect your future fertility or that repeated use makes it less effective or causes harmful effects to your body. An IUCD, also known as a copper coil, works as a method of emergency contraception as it may stop an egg being fertilised or implanted in your uterus womb.

A trained doctor fits an IUCD in your uterus womb up to 5 days after you have had unprotected sex. An IUCD is the most effective method of emergency contraception available. Read More. Registered Company: Legal Information. All Rights Reserved. Report an issue. What are my rights to sexual healthcare in Ireland? Learn more about your rights when it comes to sexual health information and treatment. Written by Children's Rights Alliance.

Factsheet Fact checked by experts and reviewed by young people. At what age can I consent to sexual health treatment? At what age can I buy condoms? Any age. There is no age restriction on buying condoms. At what age can I get other forms of contraception? Where can I get information about sexual health and STIs? You can find impartial and factual information on relationships and sex at: B4UDecide Spunout.

Does the doctor have to tell my parent or guardian if I ask for contraception? Where can I go if I have been the victim of a sexual assault? Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer Or leave us a message and we will email you back. If you have a medical card , you are entitled to free GP services including contraceptive advice and prescriptions for contraceptive drugs and devices.

There is a prescription charge for items you get from pharmacies under the medical card scheme. If you do not have a medical card, you may be able to get help with prescription costs through the Drug Payment Scheme or tax relief on medical expenses. Voluntary and private family planning clinics also provide contraceptive services. The voluntary providers usually have charges but may waive them or have lower fees in certain cases. The decision to have a sterilisation operation for family planning purposes is a matter for the patient in consultation with their doctor or specialist.

Your entitlement to free services is the same as for public hospital services generally. These procedures are also available in some private hospitals, where the full cost is payable.