Morning After Pill Guide: Is It Free in Ireland?

The morning after pill has become a popular necessity for couples. But they are confused about its price, where to get it, whether it is free in Ireland, and many other questions related to its usage, side effects, and effectiveness. Morning after pill or contraception is the solution to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure. You can use it as an emergency contraceptive pill as it helps delay and prevent ovulation.

In this guide, you will find out the details related to the cost of the morning after pill, free accessibility, effectiveness, side effects, and how to get support from your physical doctor or online doctor services in Ireland, like Eidoc.

What Counts as a Contraceptive Emergency?

Situations Where You May Need the Morning After Pill

If you are not planning to have kids, and you have unprotected sex with your partner, you are most likely to choose contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Moreover, you may also need the morning after pill if you discover that your normal contraceptive, like a condom, has failed during intercourse.

You may also need the morning after pill if you have forgotten to consume your regular daily birth control pills and missed contraceptive patches. You also need to consider taking morning after pills if you have unprotected sex for the first time or if you have faced an incident of sexual assault.

Why Timing Matters

Emergency contraception is most effective when you take the morning after pill as soon as you have unprotected sex. There are some categories of emergency contraceptives that can be taken even after 3 to 5 days of unprotected sex. However, using the morning after pill within the first 12 to 24 hours makes it more effective for you.

What Is the Morning After Pill and How Does It Work?

Morning after pill is one of the safest methods to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. This is also effective if your birth control method has failed. As the name suggests, the morning after pill is an emergency solution to your unprotected sex as it controls the chances of pregnancy happening after sex without contraception.

Morning after pill must be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, or your contraception has failed. However, you must note that the morning after pill does not end the existing pregnancy, and it is not recommended as a regular contraception option to avoid pregnancy.

How Does It Work

The morning after pill works by delaying ovulation. You can understand it simply by knowing that the sperm cannot fertilize without the egg, and the morning after pill prevents ovulation, which involves the release of an egg from the ovary. Therefore, it must be clear that the morning after pill will not work if you have an existing pregnancy.

In other words, the morning after pill affects your hormones that control the release of an egg from the ovary. Therefore, it only prevents fertilization and does not terminate the implantation. It also does not provide STD protection.

Main Types Available in Ireland and Recommended Options

In Ireland, the morning after pill is available in different versions and categorised based on the timing of taking the pill.

• Type 1: Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestogen effective for hormonal contraception and hormone therapy. It is generally taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
• Type 2: Ulipristal Acetate is an emergency contraceptive used for treating uterine fibroids. This is most effective when taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse.

The recommendation for each type of the two morning after pills is based on the timing of intercourse, your medical history, whether you are using any other medication, and your weight. You can discuss the matter confidentially and responsibly by using online doctor services in Ireland. Your doctor can advise you to take the most appropriate emergency contraceptive option.

Is the Morning After Pill Free in Ireland?

Morning after pill is free in Ireland only for individuals who meet the criteria specified by the HSE. According to this provision, you can have the morning after pill free of cost without any need for a prescription.

You can easily get the morning after pill, free of cost, if you meet the following criteria.

• You are a resident of Ireland
• You are a woman or a person with a uterus aged between 17 and 35
• You hold a valid medical card, no matter what your age is.

If you meet these conditions, you can easily get the morning after pill without the need for payment or consultation for medication.

Where Free Access May Be Available

If you are looking for a free morning after pill and finding it hard to access the free services, you can go to any participating pharmacy and get a morning after pill free of charge. Moreover, it is also available with your GP clinics. In case you do not find it in your nearby pharmacies, you can use HSE-linked services to avail this opportunity.

However, if you are planning a private consultation and looking for the morning after pill outside of the hours, you need to pay for your consultation and the morning after pill. Online doctor services offer you consultation and morning-after-pill prescription, but charge you the standard price.

How Much Is the Morning After Pill in Ireland?

Morning after pill is absolutely free in Ireland for anyone aged between 17 and 35. Moreover, you do not require a prescription for the morning after pill. Additionally, this service is also free for all medical cardholders.

However, if you are planning a private consultation with your GP or considering online doctor services in Ireland, you need to pay the private fees for the consultation. The private fee for this consultation starts from €20 through online doctor services like Eirdoc.

If you are going private, you have to bear the cost related to the Pharmacy, consultation fee, and the prescribed brand of morning after pill. However, the true cost of the morning after pill depends on the type of emergency contraception, the location of the pharmacy, the time of consultation, and the private care cost.

Morning After Pill Side Effects: What to Expect

The morning after pill Ireland is safe for anyone. However, if you experience any symptoms, they are generally mild and go away on their own within 24 to 28 hours. Some of the most common side effects of the morning after pill include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Temporary changes to menstrual cycles
• Breast Tenderness

Immediately consult your doctor if you start noticing abnormal side effects after taking the morning after pill. If you discover any of the following, you need to consult your doctor for guidance and further treatment.

• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent vomiting
• The menstrual cycle is late by more than 1 week
• Severe abdominal pain

Can You Buy the Morning After Pill Online Safely?

Online doctor services in Ireland are becoming popular due to accessibility, confidentiality, affordability, and time-saving. You can buy the morning after pill online safely by consulting your online doctor service like Eirdoc. However, it is very important to verify if your doctor is IMC– registered, the provider is regulated in Ireland, and the website is verified.

Moreover, you must also confirm that the information that you provide to your GP remains confidential, that you are medically screened before the prescription, and that your online doctor sends the prescription directly to your selected pharmacy.

Conclusion

The morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive that you can take after unprotected sexual intercourse. You must note that it is not suitable for the regular contraceptive pills if you are having an existing pregnancy. Morning after pill in Ireland is free of cost if you fulfill the criteria defined by the HSE. Alternatively, you can consult your GP or book an online consultation with online doctor services like Eirdoc for prescription and further guidance. In any case, it is wise to discuss your medical condition with your doctor so that they can provide you with expert advice that keeps you safe after unprotected sex.