Pharmacy services

Contraception

A woman in a striped sweater sitting on a sofa/

Get contraception without fuss

Whether you’re just starting to use contraception or looking for an alternative to your current treatment, our in-store teams can help you explore and understand the benefits of a wide range of products.

There’s no need to make an appointment, just head into your nearest Well Pharmacy branch to start learning about the options that are available to you.

A woman laughing.

Save yourself a trip to your GP

We offer a broad range of contraception in our Well Pharmacy branches. If you head in-store, we can offer you a private consultation and you can get your prescription directly from your local pharmacist.

Find your nearest Well Pharmacy branch

Use our Well Finder to find a pharmacy in your local area. Walk into your local pharmacy and ask to discuss contraception options with one of our pharmacists.

Speak to one of our pharmacists

One of healthcare professionals will discuss your contraception options with you in a private consultation room.

Get advice that suits your needs

Depending on your experience and lifestyle, our pharmacists will recommend different products to you and let you know how you can find further support and information on contraception options.

Find us on Trustpilot

Order online prescriptions when it suits you

We offer a broad range of contraception in our Well Pharmacy branches. If you head in-store, we can offer you a private consultation and you can get your prescription directly from your local pharmacist.

Contraception can help you stay in control of your health and wellbeing. So whether you’re looking for a solution to your acne symptoms or want some relief from difficult periods or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), the right contraception can help.

Contraception delivered to your door

Our Online Doctor service allows you to order prescription treatments online when you need them.

To get started, you’ll need to answer a few questions about your medical history and current health. One of our pharmacists will review your responses and help you find a treatment that works best for you.

The best part? We’ll deliver your prescription free of charge with either our home delivery or Click and Collect service.

A woman in an orange turtleneck smiling.

Get support with emergency contraception

Using emergency contraception at the right time can help prevent pregnancy after having sex. If you need support, you can head into one of our pharmacies and get help from our team.

Sexual health support across the UK

We offer a range of sexual health services in-store. If you need emergency contraception our team can help and offer discreet advice if you need it.

A group of women smiling while sitting at a table together.

Call NHS 111

If you don’t know how to access emergency contraception, NHS 111 can help you find your local sexual health clinic and pharmacies

Visit the NHS website

Explore a range of resources to help you understand how emergency contraception works and where you can find support

Go to your nearest sexual health clinic

You can get judgement-free support, advice and resources at the sexual health clinic in your area

Learn more about contraception

Understanding how contraception works can help you stay in control of your health and wellbeing. Explore our FAQs and pharmacist-approved women's health resources so that you can feel confident in your choices

What types of contraception are there?

There are many different types of contraception. They are designed to meet the needs of different types of people. So, whether you’re looking for a short-term solution or a long-term option or are even considering family planning there are contraceptives available to suit you.

These include:

  • Long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs).These include intrauterine methods and implants. Some common LARCS include IUDs (coil), IUS (hormonal coil) and hormonal implants.
  • Hormonal methods.These rely on chemical messengers known as hormones to prevent pregnancy. They include medicines that are available in tablet-form like the progestin-only pill and combined and physical forms of contraception that need to be inserted or stuck to your skin like the vaginal ring or patch.
  • Barrier methods.This form of contraception provides a physical barrier between sperm and your uterus. They may be useful for people who aren’t able to use hormonal contraception. Both male and female condoms fall into this category.
  • Emergency contraception. This form of contraception is designed to be used after unprotected sex.
Where can I get contraception?

There are many places where you can get free contraception. These include:

  • Pharmacies
  • Some GP surgeries
  • Sexual health clinics
  • Young people's services
  • Contraception clinics

You can access contraception from these places even if you are under 16.

How can I figure out which type of contraception is right for me?

Finding a contraceptive method that works for you will depend on your lifestyle. Some people may prefer hormonal contraception, but for others, there may be undesirable side effects.

Some people find it reassuring to use daily contraceptive methods, while others prefer a longer-acting method they don't have to remember to use regularly.

Some contraception provides protection against STIs and others don’t.

If you are unsure about what might work for you, your pharmacist, your doctor or the staff at sexual health clinics will be able to help.

What should I do if the contraception I’m using doesn't suit me and my lifestyle? Accordion

Speak to a healthcare professional. They'll be able to give you advice about alternative methods of contraception and help you find an approach that works for you.

Can I get pregnant on contraception?

With perfect use, or when used as advised, most contraceptive methods are more than 95% effective. However, this decreases when contraception isn’t used properly. An example of this is when you miss taking the pill for a few days in a month.

How old do I need to be to get contraception?

You can get contraception even if you are under 16.

If you are under 16, you can speak to a healthcare professional like a GP or a pharmacist for advice. They won’t tell your parent or carer about it as long as they think you completely understand the decision you’re making.

Can certain types of contraception help with PCOS?

If you have PCOS, your GP may advise that you take contraception to help regulate your periods. Hormonal contraception can help with heavy and painful periods.

SIDE BAR