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Sexual Health & Contraception

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At Navan Women’s Health Clinic, contraception choices include long acting reversible
contraception in addition to combined oral contraceptive pill/ progesterone only pill/
contraceptive patches/ vaginal ring/ depo injection.


Navan Women’s Health Clinic also offers emergency contraception (copper coil).

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We also offer sexual health advice including STI screening and support.

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Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options.

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You can also find more information here

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Pills/ hormonal patches/ vaginal ring/ Depo injection


The combined contraceptive pill (COCP) contains both oestrogen and progesterone.
Generally the COCP is taken daily for 21 days followed by a 4 day break. However some
patients may opt for a tailored regime with fewer breaks. There are also pills available where a break is not taken at all.
Sometimes COCP is used to help acne, heavy periods, painful periods, premenstrual syndrome or endometriosis.


The progesterone only pill only contains one hormone and must be taken daily, with no breaks. It may be used if someone is unable to take COCP eg patients with migraine with aura


Hormonal patch contains both oestrogen and progesterone. The patch is placed on a clean area of dry hairless skin that is unlikely to get rubbed against tight clothing e.g. top of arm/ back or tummy.
The patch is replaced weekly for 3 weeks followed by a patch free week.

National Free Contraception Service

Women and people with a uterus aged 17 to 35 can get contraception for free. You do not need a medical card to access this service. 

 

Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options for contraception. If you are aged 17-35, you do not have to pay for your GP visit or any prescriptions you get.

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What costs are covered?

The costs covered include:

  • GP appointments - to talk about contraception options and for repeat prescriptions when needed

  • any prescriptions given by your doctor - these 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 needed, relating to your implant or coil

  • emergency contraception (morning after pill)

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

 
Short-acting contraceptives

Short-acting contraceptives are are types of contraception that depend on you remembering to take or use them regularly or each time you have sex. These include the:

 
LARCs

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are types of contraception that you do not have to remember to take everyday. These include the:

 
How to get free contraception?

Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options for contraception. If you are aged 17-35, you do not have to pay for your GP visit or any prescriptions you get. You do not need a medical card to access this service.

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To access free contraception you need to be:

  • a woman or person with a uterus  

  • aged between 17 to 35

  • living in Ireland

 
Your information

You will need to give us your PPS number, name, date of birth and address. We need this to make sure that you are in the 17 to 35 age group covered by the free contraception service. You will also need to present your PPSN in the pharmacy when you collect your prescription.

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Emergency contraception from pharmacies

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraception fails. For example, a condom slipped/broke or you missed a pill. If you need the emergency contraceptive pill (the morning after pill), this can be given over-the-counter at participating pharmacies for free. You will need to give your PPS number, name and address at the pharmacy. They need this information to make sure that you are in the 17 to 35 age group covered by the free contraception service.

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Useful Links & Resources

This content of this page (and links to other sites) is for general information purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. While we endeavour to keep this website up-to-date, errors may occur. We advise all patients to discuss their health concerns with their GP. If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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