Contraception: Pills & Birth Control Options

Our Online Doctor service offers a range of hormonal contraception options, including the pill (progestrogen-only and the combined oral contraceptive), the patch, and the ring.

You'll complete a consultation and one of our GPs will recommend the best option for you if you're not sure, or assess your suitability for your preferred contraceptive method if you have one.

We also provide a range of sexual health products, including condoms, at our Pharmacy shop.

There are different factors to consider when deciding what contraception you want to use.

It's best to familiarise yourself with the options available first and the NHS has a comprehensive guide to contraception to get you started.

If you decide you want to try a hormonal contraceptive such as a combined oral contraceptive (often called the pill), or a progestogen-only contraceptive (known as the mini-pill), our GPs can help. We'll ask you some health-related questions to ensure you're given the best options. If you don't want to rely on taking a daily pill, you might want to consider a patch (changed weekly) or a vaginal ring (replaced monthly).

Factors including your age, your health history, your family's health history, and whether you're a smoker or not will help our GP determine which contraceptive is best for you.

While contraceptives provide effective protection from pregnancy when used as advised by your clinician, only condoms offer protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are known as a barrier method of contraception and as well as preventing sperm from entering the vagina, they also help reduce the risk of passing on or contracting STIs. It's important to know that even condoms don't provide 100% protection from STIs. If you have a new sexual partner or you're concerned you might have an STI, you can contact your local sexual health clinic for a free screening and the latest sexual health advice.

Our Online Doctor service is designed to offer you safe, high-quality care that’s both convenient and clinically robust. Depending on the condition you're seeking treatment for and the consultation programme in use, we work in partnership with trusted third-party healthcare providers to deliver the service.

While Pharmacy2U facilitates the process, your consultation and treatment are provided directly by a dedicated team of registered clinicians. This separation ensures that prescribing decisions are made independently and in your best interest, in line with healthcare regulations.

Our clinical partners:

• Expert Health Ltd provides the clinical and prescribing aspects for many of our services. Expert Health is registered in England and Wales (company number 04058287), with its registered office at Lumina, Park Approach, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8GB. Expert Health is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which means its services meet high standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient care. For healthcare regulatory purposes, the Expert Health’s Online Doctor Service is overseen by their Registered Manager.

Dispensing:

Prescriptions issued as part of the Online Doctor service are dispensed by Pharmacy2U, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This ensures your medicines are dispensed safely, securely, and to the highest professional standards. 

If you have any questions about your consultation, prescription, or delivery, our customer care team is here to help.

Metabolic Healthcare Limited (MHL) is a part of the Pharmacy2U Group, providing pharmacy services within the group. MHL operates under the trading name LloydsDirect, a registered pharmacy and a trusted brand in the UK for dispensing and dispatching prescribed medications. It is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) under registration number 9011437.