Contraception advice and pill prescription (Contraception consultation and prescribing)

What does a contraception consultation involve?

A contraception consultation is a discussion about preventing pregnancy and choosing the method that fits your health, your life and your preferences. It often ends with a prescription — commonly the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill — but the pill is only one of many options.

The clinician gives balanced, unbiased information about the full range, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): the implant, the hormonal coil (IUS) and the copper coil (IUD). These are the most effective methods because they do not rely on remembering to take something, and they are worth considering even if you came in expecting the pill.

Before prescribing the combined pill, the clinician checks a few things — such as your blood pressure, your weight, whether you smoke, your migraine history and any clotting risks — because for some people the combined pill is not the safest choice. This is about matching the method to you safely, using national eligibility criteria.

The appointment can also cover emergency contraception, which is time-critical, and is a good moment to discuss STI protection, as the pill does not protect against infections.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Typical-use effectiveness (rough guide)

LARC methods are the most effective because they do not rely on remembering. Only condoms also protect against STIs. Figures are general estimates from NHS information, not a personal prediction.

Preparing for your appointment

• Think about what matters to you: effectiveness, avoiding hormones, help with periods, ease of use, or future pregnancy plans.
• Note your periods, any current contraception, and the date of your last period or last unprotected sex.
• Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, as some affect how contraception works.
• Be ready to discuss your medical history: migraines (especially with aura), blood clots, high blood pressure, smoking, and family history.
• Know your rough weight and whether you smoke, as these affect which methods are safest.
• Consider whether you also want STI testing or protection, as contraception does not cover infections.
• If you need emergency contraception, do not wait for a routine appointment — it is more effective the sooner it is used.

What happens

The clinician (a GP, practice nurse or sexual health clinician) asks about your health, periods, any medicines and what you are looking for, then explains the full range of methods in a balanced way — including the most effective long-acting options, not just the pill.

If you are considering the combined pill, they usually check your blood pressure and ask about your weight, smoking, migraines and clotting risk, using national eligibility criteria to make sure it is a safe choice for you. For most methods, no internal examination is needed; fitting a coil is a separate appointment.

If a suitable method is agreed, you may leave with a prescription the same day, along with clear instructions on how to start it, what to do if you miss a dose, and when to seek review. The appointment is also a chance to discuss emergency contraception and STI protection.

Is this appointment right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

Most contraception is very safe, but the combined pill is not right for everyone: migraine with aura, a history of blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain other conditions, and smoking over 35 raise the risks, which is why a check is done first. Tell the clinician about these and about any medicines, as some (including certain epilepsy and some other drugs) reduce how well contraception works. Remember that no method except condoms protects against STIs.

Published figures to discuss

Contraceptive effectiveness varies a lot between methods and, crucially, between 'perfect use' and 'typical use'. Long-acting methods are more than 99% effective because they do not rely on the user remembering, whereas daily or every-time methods are less effective in real life. Serious risks such as blood clots with combined hormonal contraception are uncommon but real, and depend on individual risk factors, which is why assessment matters before prescribing. The figures below are general public-information estimates, not a personal prediction.

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

There is nothing to recover from after the appointment itself. 'Afterwards' is about starting your method correctly, settling through any early side effects, and knowing when to come back.

• Irregular or unpredictable bleeding in the first few months of a hormonal method
• Mild headaches, breast tenderness or mood changes that often settle
• Changes to your usual period pattern
• Needing a follow-up to check blood pressure on the combined pill

Aftercare

• Start your method exactly as instructed and use extra precautions for the first few days if advised.
• Take pills consistently; set a daily reminder, especially for the progestogen-only pill.
• Know the missed-pill rules and what to do if you vomit, have diarrhoea or start a new medicine.
• Keep emergency contraception in mind as a backup, and use it promptly if needed.
• Attend any blood-pressure or review appointment, particularly on the combined pill.
• Use condoms as well if you also need protection against STIs.
• Tell your NHS GP what you are using so it is on your record, especially if prescribed privately, and seek review if anything changes.

• Note of your last period and any unprotected sex
• List of current medicines and supplements
• Awareness of relevant history (migraine, clots, blood pressure, smoking)
• Clear instructions on starting the method and missed-dose rules
• Plan for any review or blood-pressure check
• Consideration of STI protection alongside contraception

⚠ Get urgent help if…

• Calf pain, swelling, redness or warmth in one leg — possible blood clot, seek urgent advice
• Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood — call emergency services
• A sudden severe headache, a new migraine with aura, or speech, vision or limb weakness — seek urgent care and stop the combined pill
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe abdominal pain
• Very heavy or prolonged bleeding, or severe pelvic pain
• Signs of pregnancy despite contraception, such as a missed period with pregnancy symptoms — do a test and seek advice
• Any severe or persistent side effect that worries you

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your GP gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good outcome is finding a method that prevents pregnancy reliably and fits your health and life, with side effects you can live with. Effectiveness depends heavily on the method and on how it is used: long-acting methods are more than 99% effective because they do not rely on memory, while methods that need daily or every-time use are less forgiving in real life.

No method is perfect, and even reliable methods can rarely fail. Contraception also does not protect against STIs, so condoms remain important for infection protection. The right method for you may change over time as your needs and health change.

How long a method lasts varies widely. Long-acting methods last for years — the implant about 3 years, hormonal and copper coils several years — while the pill, patch and ring are used on an ongoing basis. Fertility usually returns quickly after stopping most methods, although it can take longer after the injection. Plans should be reviewed as your health, age and pregnancy intentions change.

Related tests, treatments or support

Contraception is often discussed alongside STI screening and protection, since the pill and most methods do not prevent infections. Some methods help with other issues such as heavy or painful periods, acne or symptoms around the menopause, which may be part of the conversation. Emergency contraception and switching between methods are also commonly covered in the same appointment.

Follow-up & long-term care

Follow-up depends on the method. The combined pill usually has a blood-pressure and suitability review after starting and then periodically; other methods are reviewed as advised or if problems arise. Repeat prescriptions may need an occasional check. You can return at any time to review side effects, switch method, or discuss changing needs.

• Take or use your method consistently and on time for it to work.
• Attend blood-pressure and suitability reviews, especially on the combined pill.
• Replace long-acting methods (implant, coils) before they expire.
• Repeat the injection on schedule if that is your method.
• Review your choice over time as your health, age and pregnancy plans change.
• Keep your NHS GP informed of what you use, particularly if prescribed privately.

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

• Many people try more than one method before finding the one that suits them — switching is normal.
• Early side effects such as irregular bleeding often settle, so a fair trial is usually worthwhile.
• The combined pill may need stopping or changing if blood pressure rises or new risk factors appear.
• Methods may be reviewed and changed as health, age and pregnancy plans change.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

• Clear instructions on starting the method, missed-dose rules and when extra precautions are needed.
• A blood-pressure and suitability review for combined hormonal contraception, with a plan for ongoing checks.
• An open door to switch method if it does not suit, and balanced advice on alternatives.
• Advice on emergency contraception and STI protection, and sharing the prescription with the NHS GP record.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

• The length and type of appointment (a first consultation is usually longer).
• Whether it is in person or online, and at a GP, pharmacy or private clinic.
• The method chosen and whether fitting (for a coil or implant) is a separate, charged appointment.
• The cost of the prescribed contraceptive itself if obtained privately.
• Any blood-pressure or suitability review appointments.
• Whether STI testing or other services are added at the same visit.

• The consultation fee and whether a prescription is included.
• Whether the same advice and prescription are available free on the NHS.
• The cost of the medicine or device itself if supplied privately.
• Whether fitting a coil or implant is a separate appointment and fee.
• What follow-up or review appointments cost.
• Whether any STI testing or additional services are charged separately.

On the NHS? All contraception, including the pill, long-acting methods and emergency contraception, is free on the NHS through GPs, sexual health clinics and some pharmacies; private appointments are mainly for speed or convenience.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Consent traps and marketing red flags

These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.

Choosing a specialist safely

• Check the GP is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
• Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
• You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the GP who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
• Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
• You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Take this to your consultation. A good GP will welcome every one of these.

• Given my health and lifestyle, which methods are safest and most suitable for me?
• Would a long-acting method suit me better than the pill?
• Is the combined pill safe for me, given my migraines, blood pressure or clotting risk?
• What should I do if I miss a pill, vomit, or start a new medicine?
• How quickly does fertility return if I want to stop later?
• Do I also need STI protection, and what are my emergency contraception options?
• Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
• Will you be the GP who carries out my appointment, and who looks after me afterwards?
• What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
• What does a realistic result look like — and what can this appointment not achieve?
• What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
• Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
• What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Find a verified GP for contraception advice and pill prescription

Every consultant is GMC-checked and independently reviewed. Search by postcode and distance, or switch to a map. Ordered by rating, relevance and recency — never by who pays.

How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — Contraception NHS — How effective is contraception at preventing pregnancy? NHS — Emergency contraception FSRH — clinical guidance (UKMEC and method guidelines) NICE CKS — Contraception assessment

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.