Where can I get the pill?

Ladeedah

Sorry for the stupid question, but I've just started sleeping with my boyfriend as i was wondering where to other than a gp i can get the pill?

Thanks!!

MagicMarker

Nowhere. You have to see a GP afaik.

Nightwish

the pill is prescription only, so you must see your GP. You need to get your blood pressure checked, and you'll be asked a few questions to try see which pill suits you. And if you're using it as contraception, make sure both you and your bf have been tested for STI's.

McSween

UK is over counter isn't it?

DubLegs

You could try the family planning centres if ur not comfortable talking to your GP. But the other posters are right you need to get blood pressure etc checked out.
The centres can be quite friendly and are used to dealing with these things.

Nevyn

McSween wrote: »

UK is over counter isn't it?

In the UK you must have been checked out and cleared to take the oral contraception pill by a dr first, you can't just walk in and buy it like a packet of cough sweets.

How Strange

Why do you not want to go to a GP? If its for personal reasons and you would be embarrassed then go to the Well Woman; afaik, all the doctors are female so nothing to be self conscious about. They have the same bits as you

If it's to save a few quid, don't even think about it. Realistically you are introducing hormones into your body which will have an affect on you. You have to get checked out before the doctor decides which one to give you i.e. if you are a smoker you can't take some of them and they will want you to come back after a month or two to check you out again.

BC

If you don't want to go to your usual GP then try a family planning clinic.

I can recommend the Well Woman Centre (www.wellwomancentre.ie)

There is also the Family Planning Centre http://www.ifpa.ie/


They have a number of GPs in the clinics and as with all doctors its fully confidential. You cannot get the pill without seeing a doctor either in a GP clinic or a clinic like the above.

*Page*

Wellwoman to me has always been the best.

I dont mean to sound patronising but you should have really considered contraception before you started sleeping with your bf.

You may not be able to get the pill if you are under 16.

Ladeedah

Thanks for your answers! The reason why I dont want to go to my own GP is because I'd feel more comfortable with a female one. I know its stupid not to have done this before, but Ifigure I'll get it sorted while my boyfriends on holidays.

lizzyvera

You don't have to go to your OWN GP, any will do.
They have to make sure you don't smoke or have any other problems that would make taking the pill a problem. There's also different types and only a doctor can decide which one would be best for you if you have acne, cramps, heavy flow etc. If you're prone to forgetfulness they can give you an injection instead, and talk about other methods.

Actually, you should change your GP to a woman if you're not comfortable telling your GP everything.

Toots

McSween wrote: »

UK is over counter isn't it?

UK is a long way to go just to get the pill

OP the pill is available on prescription only, they'll need to check your blood pressure and ask you some general health questions. If you are already sexually active they may request that you do a pregnancy test also. When I went to get my pill prescription they checked my breasts too.

I went to my GP, as there is a female doctor on a couple of days a week, but after the first couple of times I was comfortable enough to go to either one. If you don't want to go to a family doctor, try the wellwoman clinic. I think there's one just beside Pravda (over the ha'penny bridge on the northside of the liffey). When I was younger, a lot of my friends opted for the well woman clinic over the family GP, and they all found them very good. There are other methods of contraception that they can discuss with you as well as the pill, as it doesn't suit everyone. Just don't forget to use condoms for the first few weeks you're on the pill until enough of the hormone has built up in your body to provide protection, and until you've gotten into the habit of taking it every day. If either of you has ever slept/fooled around with anyone else, get an STI test before you do ANYTHING without condoms.

Good luck!!

dudara

I would thoroughly recommend that you go to a doctor to get the pill. This can be a women's health clinic, your GP or any GP.

This will include questions concerning blood pressure, family history of cancer and blood clotting. There are inherent risks in taking hormonal contraceptives and your suitability needs to be assessed.

I will lock this thread now as there really are no further comments to be made on this. Many posters have pointed out that you need to visit a doctor.