This is one of the best known forms of contraception. It consists of 2 hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – which are taken in the form of one pill orally every day for three weeks, followed by a one week “pill-free” interval. It is a very effective form of contraception if taken correctly. The pill should ideally be taken at the same time of the day. However you have up to 12 hours to remember to take it if you have forgotten. It works by stopping ovulation from occurring. It has few side effects and most young women can safely use it. It is not recommended in women over the age of 35 who are smokers or overweight.

There are several different brands available in Ireland. The most common brands available are Yasmin, Yasminelle, Yaz, Ovranette, Mercilon, Logynon, Microlite, Ovreena, Qlaira, Minulet, and Cilest.

This is an oral form of contraception which contains only progesterone. This is a slightly less effective form of contraception but is ideally suited for women who cannot take the combined pill for instance breast feeding mums,women who smoke over 35, or overweight women. It works by thickening cervical mucus and therefore making a more hostile environment for sperm to survive. It must be taken daily and it can be associated with breakthrough bleeding. Unlike the combined pill,you must take it within the same three hour period every day to ensure maximum contraceptive effect.The most common brands include Cerazette, Azalia. Desogestreland Noriday,

The contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch that releases hormones into your body through your skin to prevent pregnancy.
The patch releases a daily dose of hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.
It contains the same hormones as the combined pill – oestrogen and progestogen – and works in the same way by preventing the release of an egg each month (ovulation).
It also thickens cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to move through the cervix, and thins the womb lining so a fertilised egg is less likely to be able to implant itself.
Apply your first patch and wear it for 7 days. On day 8, change the patch to a new one. Change it like this every week for 3 weeks, and then have a patch-free week.
During your patch-free week you’ll get a withdrawal bleed, like a period, although this may not always happen.
After 7 patch-free days, apply a new patch and start the 4-week cycle again. Start your new cycle even if you’re still bleeding.
Where to put the patch
Stick the patch directly onto your skin. You can put it onto most areas of your body, as long as the skin is clean, dry and not very hairy. You shouldn’t stick the patch onto:

• sore or irritated skin
• an area where it may get rubbed off by tight clothing
• your breasts

It’s a good idea to change the position of each new patch to help reduce the chance of skin irritation.

Monthly NuvaRing is a small, flexible vaginal ring used to prevent pregnancy. And it’s easy to use. You insert and remove it yourself. Just put it in for 3 weeks, take it out, then put a new one in a week later. Once NuvaRing is in your vagina, it releases a continuous low dose of hormones. The exact position of NuvaRing inside the vagina is not critical for its function. It’s just as effective as the pill when used as directed, and you don’t have to think about taking it every day.
NuvaRing is not suitable for those who smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old. Smoking increases your risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems from combination hormonal contraceptives (CHCs), including heart attack, blood clots, or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes smoked.

For more information visit: https://www.nuvaring.com

High dose progesterone can be given as a three – monthly injection (Depo Provera) which is injected into your bum or arm. This is a very effective form of contraception. It is suitable for most women and is ideal if remembering to take pills is proving difficult.
The injectable contraception contains an artificial form of the progesterone hormone. Progestogen is slowly absorbed from the muscle into the blood over a course of 12 weeks.
It is:

• Over 99% effective when you use the method correctly every time
• Over 94% effective when you don’t always use the method correctly

It works by:

• stopping ovulation (an egg being released from your ovaries)
• thickening the mucus at the neck of the womb (uterus) so that it is difficult for sperm to enter the womb
• thinning the lining of the womb and this prevents a fertilised egg from settling (implanting) in the womb

Once this prescription is sent to your local pharmacy they’ll be able to administer the injection for you.

The Government has decided to provide a free contraception service for women and people aged 17 to 25 years inclusive. This new service will allow those eligible to receive a doctor’s appointment for free and receive free contraceptive medication.

As smartscripts is a private online doctor service we don’t get reimbursed for the doctor’s appointment so our fee of €20 still applies but all our prescriptions will allow you to receive free medication in the pharmacy.