7.3 Contraceptives

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) produce eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, see UKMEC.
Most contraceptive failures are due to poor compliance which is strongly influenced by acceptability. Women requiring contraception should be given information about and offered a choice of method including long acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods see NICE CG 30.
Patients aged 16 years and over can order contraception including COCs and POPs via SH:24. Repeat issues of the contraceptive injectable Sayana Press can also be obtained. This is a free HSC funded service where medical eligibility is assessed by HCPs and contraception supplied via posth24. There are some requirements such as a blood pressure check before COC.
Drug interactions, including enzyme-inducing drugs, should be considered when prescribing contraceptives, see FSRH.
Ask about weight loss injections as patients may be receiving these privately. FSRH are advising that individuals use contraception whilst using GLP-1 agonists. Those using tirzepatide and oral contraception should switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or add a barrier method of contraception, for four weeks after initiation and for four weeks after each dose increase. There is no need to add a barrier method of contraception when using semaglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide or liraglutide. See FSRH.