Women and people with a uterus aged 17 to 35 can now get contraception for free.

How to get free contraception

To access free contraception, you need to:

  • Be a woman or person with a uterus
  • Be aged 17 to 35 years
  • Live in Irelan5
  • Have a PPS number

You do not need a medical card to access this service.

What costs are covered
The costs covered include:

  • GP or doctor’s appointments – to talk about contraception options and for repeat prescriptions when needed
  • Prescriptions given by your doctor – approved products will be given free of charge at participating pharmacies
  • Your choice of contraception – from the types covered below
  • Fittings and removals of implants and IUDs or IUSs (coils)
  • Any check-ups or other follow-up care, relating to your implant or coil
  • Emergency contraception (morning-after pill)

Types of contraception covered
There are many types of contraception covered by this service. You may need to experiment to find what works best for you. Emergency contraception (morning after pill) is also covered.

You can choose from a range of contraceptives listed below.
These include short-acting contraceptives and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).

Short Acting Contraceptives

Short-acting contraceptives
Short acting contraceptives are a category of contraception methods that are user dependent and need to be taken on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. They are very effective form of contraception against unplanned pregnancies when used correctly.

Methods of this contraceptive category require you to think about using or taking them regularly or each time you have sex.

They are reversible, meaning that once you stop using them the contraceptive effect wears off quickly and women can become pregnant as rapidly as those ones who have used no contraceptive at all.

Short-acting contraception includes hormonal methods such as the pill, the patch, the ring, and non-hormonal methods such as condoms, spermicides and the diaphragm. The pill, the patch and the ring are included in the state contraception programme for 17-35-year-olds.

These include the:

Progesterone only and combined contraceptive (the pill) Contraceptive patch A small, thin, skin-coloured plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week. Contraceptive ring A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Long Acting Contraceptives

LARCs
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are types of contraception that you do not have to remember to take every day.

LARC’s (Long Acting Reversible Contraception)

  • An IUS (intrauterine system), also called a hormonal coil, is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus). It stops pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen into your womb.
  • An IUS is not suitable for everyone.An IUS is over 99% effective and lasts for 3 to 8 years, depending on the type.
  • An IUS is safe to use while breastfeeding and can usually be fitted soon after giving birth.
  • After an IUS is removed your fertility returns to previous levels straight away.
  • An IUS can make periods lighter, shorter, and less painful. It can be an effective treatment for heavy periods.
  • An IUS can be used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause symptoms.
  • This information is about the hormonal coil. For information about the copper coil, see intrauterine device (IUD).

You can compare different methods, including how well they work and side effects, when choosing a method of contraception.

These include the:

Implant

  • The contraceptive implant is a small flexible plastic tube which is placed just under your skin.
  • It slowly releases a progestogen hormone and gives contraceptive protection for 3 years.
  • The implant is usually inserted in the inner part of the upper arm and while it can be felt
    under the skin it cannot be seen. There is only one implant available in
  • Ireland at this time – it is called Implanon.

Injection

  • Intrauterine device or IUD and intrauterine system or IUS (these are also known as coils)
  • Emergency contraception in the form of morning after pill is also covered by this scheme