Contraception · €25 GP review
Contraceptive pill online in Ireland, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP
Get the contraceptive pill, patch or ring online in Ireland with a review by an Irish-registered GP. For a €25 review, the GP checks that your method is safe and suitable for you, in line with the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC), and sends your prescription to your chosen pharmacy. If you are aged 17 to 35 and living in Ireland, you may be able to get your contraception free through the HSE Free Contraception Scheme, so it is worth checking that first.
Private GP assessment · A prescription is never guaranteed
A question about contraception? Ask our team
Irish-registered GPs
Every request is read by a doctor on the IMC register. Never automated.
Usually same day
Requests submitted before 6pm are typically reviewed the same day.
Sent by Healthmail
Your prescription goes securely to the pharmacy you nominate.
What contraception can I get online?
NOVAGP prescribes a wide range of contraceptive options — combined pills, progestogen-only pills, the patch and the vaginal ring. Tap a method to see how it works.
Oestrogen + progestogen
Combined pill (COCP)
Two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. Very effective at preventing pregnancy, and it also regulates periods, reduces period pain and can settle acne. Suits women who want a predictable monthly cycle.
Key benefits
- Highly effective when taken correctly
- Regular, lighter and less painful periods
- Can improve acne and PMS symptoms
The contraceptive injection, implants and coils are long-acting methods that must be given or fitted in person, so they can't be prescribed through this online service.
Is this service right for me?
You can use NOVAGP.IE for contraception if:
- You are aged 17 or older
- You are starting contraception for the first time and meet the safety criteria
- You need a repeat prescription for your current method
- You want a more convenient, private way to access contraception
Our doctors will only prescribe if it is medically safe and appropriate. If further review or tests are needed, we'll tell you and refund the fee.
Start your €25 consultation now
What's included
Included
- Prescriptions of up to 6 months for contraceptive products available in Ireland — pills, patches and rings.
- Review by an Irish-registered doctor, usually the same day.
- Your prescription sent directly to an Irish pharmacy of your choice by Healthmail for pickup and payment.
Not included
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) — the injection, implants and coils.
- The cost of the medicine itself, which you pay at your pharmacy.
- Cover under the Free Contraception Scheme — this service is €25.
Get your prescription online in 4 easy steps
No waiting rooms. No appointments.
- Step 1
Complete your online consultation
Answer a few quick health questions so our doctors can assess whether treatment is right for you.
- Step 2
Doctor review and prescription
An Irish-registered doctor reviews your answers. If suitable, your prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
- Step 3
Collect
Pick it up from your preferred pharmacy, or arrange delivery where your pharmacy offers it.
- Step 4
Ongoing support
Our doctors are available 7 days a week if you need follow-up help or advice.
Combined pill or mini pill: a simple comparison
There are two main types of pill. Which one suits you depends on your health and your history.
| Combined pill | Mini pill (progestogen-only) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hormones | Oestrogen and progestogen | Progestogen only |
| Who it may suit | Many people who can safely take oestrogen | People who cannot take oestrogen, such as some who are breastfeeding or get migraines with aura |
| How you take it | Usually in 21 or 28 day packs | One every day, at a similar time |
| What the GP checks | Blood pressure, migraines, smoking, weight and other factors | Your history and any interacting medicines |
Your GP advises which type is suitable for you. The patch and ring contain the same hormones as the combined pill, so the same checks apply.
Who is this service for?
An online review suits people who:
- are generally healthy
- know which method they want, often one they have used before
- have had a recent blood pressure check
The GP checks your age, blood pressure, whether you smoke, migraines, weight and other medicines, because these affect which method is safe for you. If the GP needs more information or an examination, they will ask you to be seen in person. This is what UKMEC-aligned means: a method is only prescribed where it is safe for your individual situation.
Starting, switching or renewing
- Renewing: if your current pill, patch or ring suits you, a review is often the quickest way to get a repeat prescription.
- Switching: if your current method does not suit you, the GP can advise on a change where appropriate.
- Starting for the first time: the GP makes sure the method is right for you before prescribing.
All three are a €25 review. Some methods need a blood pressure check or a review first, so a prescription cannot always be issued online. If so, the GP will tell you what to do.
The HSE Free Contraception Scheme
If you are aged 17 to 35 and live in Ireland, you may qualify for the HSE Free Contraception Scheme. It covers prescription contraception, including many pills, and you do not need a medical card. If you are eligible, this is usually the cheapest route, so it is worth checking first.
A NovaGP review is useful if you are outside the scheme, or you simply prefer the convenience of an online review.
Side effects and important safety
Most people use hormonal contraception without problems, but it can cause side effects, especially in the first few months. These can include light bleeding between periods, sore breasts, headaches, feeling sick or mood changes, which often settle with time.
- The pill, patch and ring do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use condoms as well if you need protection.
- Some medicines, including certain antibiotics and epilepsy medicines, can affect how they work. Tell your GP about everything you take.
- Stop and get urgent medical help if you have a severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness, or pain and swelling in one leg, as these can be signs of a rare but serious blood clot.
This is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own GP.
Emergency contraception (the morning after pill)
If you need emergency contraception, do not wait for an online review. The morning after pill works best when taken as soon as possible, and you can get it directly from a pharmacy without a prescription. If you are aged 17 to 35, it may be free under the Free Contraception Scheme.
More ways NovaGP can help
Contraception is one of several ways to get care from an Irish-registered GP. Explore the rest:
- GP consultation (€39): a live video or phone appointment for new or unclear symptoms.
- Smart Prescriptions (€25): a GP review for a prescription for a listed condition, sent to your pharmacy.
- Symptom checker (free): not sure what you need? Answer a few questions to find the next step.
- Mental health consultation (€50): a 30-minute consult for anxiety, low mood and sleep.
- Weight-loss treatment (€50): an initial video assessment, with suitability based on your GP assessment.
- Travel health (€50): vaccine and malaria advice before you travel.
- Verified sick leave (€25): a GP-issued certificate for your employer, after clinical assessment.
- HPV vaccine prescription (€25): a GP review for a private Gardasil 9 prescription, after checking the free HSE routes.
- All services and pricing: every service and fixed price in one place.
Available across Ireland
- Online by video, phone or secure form, wherever you live in the Republic of Ireland: no app download and no subscription.
- Every request is assessed by an Irish-registered GP on the Medical Council register.
- Prescriptions go to the Irish pharmacy you choose, through Healthmail.
- Sick certificates carry a QR code your Irish employer can check.
See an Irish-registered GP online in your area:
Frequently asked questions
Get your prescription online today
Sign in to your patient portal, choose contraception and answer the short questionnaire. €25, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP.