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When I was 17, I used emergency contraception on 2 occasions, when other contraception failed us! I was still in college so the first time I used the college sexual health nurse who was great, but this was a part-time service so another time I had to walk a few miles to a pharmacy who asked me a lot of personal questions in front of their staff (thankfully no other customers at the time) and this questioning although part of the process made me feel guilty (although I had done nothing wrong). Sexual health support is poor in Cornwall- when I asked to go on the pill, my doctor told me only women who wanted to plan a family use a contraceptive pill (huh?) and would not provide me any options for long term contraception. I went to the one clinic we have in Cornwall who were brilliant and they installed the implant without judgement.

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I wasn't sure if the emergency contraception was free at my local pharmacy and i didn't want to pay for it. I called 111 NHS direct and they booked me in for an appointment with the GP at the walk-in centre in an hour. I managed to get my contraception really easily and for free, although the doctor was very judgmental and pushed me to go on the pill.

West Midlands, urban

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Please ANONYMOUSLY share your experience of accessing emergency contraception in the UK.

Let us know what you think are the barriers and issues when accessing emergency contraception or, if you had a positive experience, what was the contributing factor.

We would appreciate if could also tell us the region you are from and if it is a rural or urban area.
This input will be used to shape new research into the area.

All posts will be moderated before releasing to ensure your comment remains anonymous and any inappropriate comments excluded.

Just double click anywhere on the board and start typing!

Help and support

If you need help or advice, please access your local sexual health clinic, GP or 111 NHS direct as we are not able to offer online support.

There is information and advice available about emergency contraception  on the NHS Choices website.

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When I was 17 I had a horrible experience accessing the morning after pill from a pharmacy. The staff were very judgmental and, because I had never used it before, I did't realise you could get it for free.

Somerset, urban

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Looked online for information about where I could get it - lots of contradictory and confusing information. Found a page that listed pharmacies that did it for free, but when I went they said they didn't have it for free. So stressful that I ended up just buying it. Is it actually available for free in pharmacies???

London, urban

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Trans masc accessing morning after pill 

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Trans masc accessing morning after pill 

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After sending in my partner as I was too anxious of misgendering to go in myself, he was refused service and asked to bring in the “lady” it was for, “since it obviously isn’t for you”.
Not being a lady, I entered the conversation, obviously presenting and often read as male. The pharmacist immediately started using female oriented terms and rolling their eyes at me. It felt pretty obvious the pharmacist saw it as my fault we needed to access this service, key word there being “we”.
Thoroughly embarrassed and feeling dysphoria rise up in me I finally got what I needed.
Oh, and I had to pay at least £30 for this wonderful experience.
(Greater London)

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I have only accessed emergency contraception once, howerever, i had a positive experience in doing so. i got it from my local Boots store (East Midlands region). I was quickly seen to and the pharmacist O discussed it with appeared understanding and non judgemental, she provided information and asked minimal questions. The pill was free and didn't take long to do. She said I could take it there or elsewhere, I took it there for ease as she provided water.

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I went to a busy sexual health clinic in South London. You can’t book appointments there so you have to wait an entire day to be seen. Even if you go there by 9. A little bit discouraging.

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SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE VERY JUDGEMENTAL PHARMACISTS THAT STARED AT ME, MAKING ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE

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I found it hard at times. Recently, I was effectively bullied by a GP into trying to have a coil fitted, as in her opinion i was too old at the age of 44 to think about having a child! Despite my protests, and explaining the physical issues involved, she bulldozed me into it. It was extremely painful and she was unsuccessful in fitting either of two coils. I eventually got what I originally came for, an implant in my arm. I bled painfully and heavily for days, and I never want to go through that again. It's put me right off clinics. If you know what works best for you, stick to your opinion. Not every doctor is right.

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Just walked into my nearest pharmacy/doctors and asked for it. Waited 10mins before speaking to someone about it. Went through all the standard questions and then took the pill there.

- Brighton

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When i was 13 I had been with my boyfriend at the time for two years. We were by this point occasionally sexually active and would use condoms. The condom broke one day and I had a panic attack so a family friend drove us to the local hospital in order to ask for a free emergency contraceptive. I waited for roughly six hours as it turns out they were calling the police in! As you can imagine, I was petrified when they arrived and questioned me, I regretted going to the hospital for it. The police concluded after a total of about 8hrs in hospital that it was fine and the hospital staff gave me the pill and I was allowed to leave. This at a young age traumatised me and eventually began taking the pill juat over a year later once i plucked up the courage to ask!