Contraceptive pills and patches

You can also get the contraceptive pill directly from selected pharmacies without seeing a doctor or nurse. See Get the contraceptive pill without a prescription.

Contraceptive pills

There are two main types of contraceptive pill:

• The combined hormonal contraceptive pill (also known as ‘the pill’). Go to the Contraception Choices website: combined pill for more information.
• The progesterone only pill (also known as ‘the mini pill’). Go to the Contraception Choices website: mini pill for more information.

Please note that, whilst we stock a large number of different pill brands, we cannot stock them all. If you are on a particular version that we don’t stock (for example Yasmin® or Dianette®), we can prescribe a similar version. See your GP if you want to continue to use a specific type of pill that we don’t have.

It is possible to take the pill so that you have fewer or no bleeding episodes. It may also be easier to take and more effective as contraception. Read the leaflet below for more information:

Different ways to take the combined contraceptive pill leaflet (pdf)

We can also discuss this with you at your appointment.

Get the contraceptive pill without a prescription from selected pharmacies

You can now get the contraceptive pill directly from selected pharmacies without seeing a doctor or nurse. The pill is free of charge, with or without a prescription.

Who can use this service?

You can use this service if you are:

• Starting the pill for the first time
• Restarting the pill after a break
• Already taking the pill and need more supplies

How to access

You can:

• Be referred by your GP, sexual health clinic or urgent treatment centre
• Self-refer by visiting a participating community pharmacy and asking for an appointment

What to expect

• A trained pharmacist will help you choose the most suitable pill
• With your consent, the outcome can be shared with your GP to update your records. Your consultation can still go ahead if you don’t want your information shared.

Find a pharmacy

Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – the NHS website

The contraceptive patch

This method uses the same hormones that are in the combined contraceptive pill but, instead of taking a pill, you apply a patch to your skin once a week.

It may be a good method if you sometimes forget to take pills. Go to the Contraception Choices website: patch for more information.

Pills for period control

If you are not sexually active and are using the pill purely to control your periods, you must see your GP for this. We cannot prescribe the pill in these circumstances.

Planning a pregnancy

If you want to get pregnant in the near future and are looking for information, see the pregnancy page.