How To Get The Morning After Pill In Ireland | Eirdoc

Women is Showing the morning after pill in hands

Get the morning after pill in Ireland online with Eirdoc. Fast, private, and trusted medical support from Irish doctors.

Introduction: Why Access to Emergency Contraception Matters in Ireland

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. A missed pill, a broken condom, or unprotected sex can leave you worried about pregnancy. In Ireland, it gives women a safe and effective way to lower that risk.

The pill works best when taken quickly. That is why easy access is so important. With Eirdoc, you do not need to visit a pharmacy face-to-face. Instead, you can have a private online chat with a licensed Irish doctor and get a prescription to collect near you.

In this guide, we will explain how the morning after pill works, its price, details about the free contraception Ireland scheme, and why Eirdoc’s online service is a simple and discreet choice.

What is the Morning After Pill?

It is a trusted form of emergency contraception in Ireland. It prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or if regular contraception does not work. It is not the same as the abortion pill because it cannot end an existing pregnancy. Instead, it acts to stop or delay the ovulation process. This means no egg is released for fertilisation.

In Ireland, there are two main types:

  1. Levonorgestrel (LNG)
  2. Ulipristal acetate (UPA)

Both are safe, approved by Irish health services, and available in pharmacies across the country. Which one is best may depend on when the unprotected sex happened, your health, and any medicines you take.

It is important to note that the morning after pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It should only be used when needed and not as a regular method of birth control. For long-term protection, options such as the daily pill, a coil, or an implant may be better choices.

How Does the Morning After Pill Work?

The morning after pill in Ireland works by delaying ovulation. If ovulation has not yet started, the pill stops or slows the release of an egg so that fertilisation cannot take place.

Here are the key things to know:

  • It cannot end a pregnancy that has already started.
  • It is not meant to replace regular contraception.
  • Timing is very important because the sooner you take it, the better it works.

The two types act in slightly different ways. Levonorgestrel gives your body a dose of synthetic progesterone to block ovulation early in the cycle. Ulipristal acetate changes how progesterone works in your body, so it can delay ovulation even when hormone levels are already rising.

The emergency contraception Ireland pill is a safe short-term solution after contraceptive failure. With Eirdoc, you can get fast online advice and a prescription without delay.

Effectiveness and Timing of the Morning After Pill in Ireland

The morning after pill in Ireland is very effective, but how well it works depends on when you take it.

  • Levonorgestrel (LNG): Works best when taken within 12 hours of unprotected sex, with about 99% effectiveness. After 24 hours, it becomes less effective, and by 72 hours, the protection is much lower.
  • Ulipristal acetate (UPA): Can work for up to 120 hours, which is five days after unprotected sex. It is more effective than LNG, especially between days three and five.

There are a few things that can reduce how well the pill works. A higher body mass index can sometimes affect how the pill is absorbed. Certain medicines for epilepsy, tuberculosis, or HIV can also make it less effective. If UPA is taken in the same cycle as other hormonal contraceptives, it may not work as well.

The good news is that the morning after pill does not affect fertility in the long term. Your natural cycle will return quickly, and your ability to become pregnant in the future is not harmed. With Eirdoc, quick online access helps you take the pill as early as possible, which gives the best results.

Accessing the Morning After Pill Online in Ireland

In the past, most women in Ireland got emergency contraception by visiting a pharmacy in person. This is still possible, but for many it can feel stressful or awkward. Online healthcare now gives a private and easier choice.

With Eirdoc, women can get the morning after pill in Ireland safely and discreetly without the need for a face-to-face consultation in a pharmacy. You can quickly book your appointment with Eirdoc by filling out a form to request the treatment. A licensed doctor will be available for your consultation within a few hours. Our GP will assess your condition and give you an electronic prescription to collect the medicine from a pharmacy. 

This is one of the easiest ways of ordering morning after pill online. This process allows you to get a prescription without needing a face-to-face consultation, though you will need to provide your details for the online appointment.

How Much is the Morning After Pill in Ireland?

The morning after pill price is different for different brands, but it normally ranges between €15 and €50. Some of the most common brands and their starting prices are listed below.

  1. Ulipristal acetate:  estimated price is €15.00
  2. Levonorgestrel: estimated price is between €15- €35
  3. Levonorgestrel 1.5mg: estimated price is €13.99

You can get this pill free of cost if you are aged between 17 and 35 from any participating pharmacy in Ireland.  You can get it without a doctor’s prescription after a private consultation. Morning after pill price can also vary depending on the pharmacy you choose in your neighbourhood. 

Eirdoc saves you from the hassle, as you can book an online consultation with an Eirdoc GP to recommend the morning after pill. You can get an order of the morning after pill online through the Eirdoc services. 

Free contraception in Ireland 

If you need a free morning after pill in Ireland, you can get it over the counter free of cost. The criteria for being eligible for free contraception are:

  1. Your age must be between 17 and 35 
  2. You must live in Ireland 
  3. You must have  a PPS number 

Please note that you do not need a medical card to avail this service. You can make an appointment with your  Eirdoc GP to discuss your options for contraception. 

Safety, Side Effects, and What to Expect

Morning after pill is very safe, and serious side effects are rare. Emergency contraception is generally effective and safe, and the safety profile of this pill is excellent. 

The common side effects of the morning after pill include: 

  • You may observe changes to your normal menstrual cycles
  • You can have light vaginal bleeding
  • Some women experience nausea and vomiting
  • It can also lead to breast tenderness
  • This can cause headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and cramping. 

The side effects of the morning after pill are short-term and they go away on their own, without special treatment. If the side effects persist for a longer period, an Eirdoc online e-consultation with a GP can help you understand your medical condition. The expert on the matter can guide you on whether you should continue taking the pills or not. 

You must remember that:

  • Emergency contraception does not develop long-term health issues.
  • It has nothing to do with your ability to get pregnant. 
  • It does not harm a pregnancy that has already started.
  • For most women, the morning after pill is safe, and the online consultation offers reassurance and answers to any worries.

Alternatives to the Morning After Pill in Ireland

The morning after pill in Ireland is the most common form of emergency contraception, but there is another option called the copper intrauterine device, or IUD.

  • It can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex.
  • It is very effective, even more so than pills.
  • Once fitted, it provides long-term contraception.

An IUD must be placed by a healthcare professional, so it is not available online through Eirdoc. 

Conclusion

The morning after pill is safe, and it lowers your chances of getting pregnant after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Online services like Eirdoc make it simple for you to act quickly and get help. 

  • 1. Can I get the morning after pill free in Ireland?

    Yes, you can have it under the free contraception Ireland scheme, which allows women aged 17 to 35 to get it free of cost. 

  • 2. How much does the morning after pill cost in Ireland?

    The pricing depends on the type of pill an Eirdoc GP prescribes and the pharmacy where you collect it. In Ireland, it costs between  €15 and €50.

  • 3. Can I order the morning after pill online in Ireland?

    Eirdoc Consultation allows you this freedom, as you can have it after an online consultation with an Eirdoc GP.

  • 4. Is the morning after pill suitable for everyone?

    It is usually safe for all, but you must consult your doctor for better medical advice if you have certain health conditions.