Pharmacy Contraception Service

When to book the Pharmacy Contraception Service

Walk in for a free NHS contraception consultation if you:

• Want to start the oral contraceptive pill for the first time
• Already take the pill and want to continue your supply through the pharmacy
• Have recently used emergency contraception and need ongoing cover
• Want to review whether your current pill still suits you

There is no age restriction, though women under 16 may need an additional safeguarding assessment. Our pharmacists follow strict clinical guidelines to make sure the pill is safe and appropriate for you.

What is the Pharmacy Contraception Service?

The Pharmacy Contraception Service is an NHS-funded scheme that lets pharmacists supply oral contraceptive pills directly. You get a consultation and your pill in a single visit, with no GP appointment and no waiting list.

• Combined oral contraceptive pill - contains oestrogen and progestogen, taken daily for 21 days followed by a seven-day break. Over 99% effective when taken correctly
• Progesterone-only pill (mini pill) - progestogen only, taken every day without a break. Suitable if you cannot take oestrogen, including while breastfeeding or if you are over 35 and smoke

How the service works

• Consultation - we ask about your medical history, current medicines and any risk factors
• Blood pressure check - to confirm the pill is safe for you
• Pill selection - your pharmacist recommends the most suitable option
• Supply - you receive your pill with instructions, including what to do if you miss a dose
• Follow-up - a review, typically after three months, to check how you are getting on

Side effects

• Headaches or migraines
• Nausea, which usually settles after a few weeks
• Breast tenderness
• Mood changes
• Spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods

Most side effects are mild and temporary. If they persist, we can advise whether a different formulation or another method would suit you better.

Your other contraceptive options

The pill is one of the most popular methods in the UK, but not the only one. Long-acting reversible contraceptives such as the implant, injection and intrauterine devices, and barrier methods such as condoms, all have their own advantages. We can talk through your options and refer you to a sexual health clinic or your GP for methods we cannot supply directly. We can also advise on when to start contraception after having a baby and which methods are safe while breastfeeding.

Find the Pharmacy Contraception Service near you

Free, confidential and complete in one visit, in a private consultation room with pharmacists trained in women's health. Nothing is shared with anyone, including your GP, without your permission. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.