Have you ever felt uncomfortable taking the morning after pill?

Have you ever felt ashamed for taking the morning after pill? We took to the streets of London to find out what people have to say.

@ellaoneukHave you ever felt ashamed of using the morning after pill? We took to the streets of London to find out what people think! ellaOne® film-coated tablet. Ulipristal acetate. Emergency contraception. Always read label. #S3xualHealth #S3xEducation #ellaOne #TheMorningAfter #MorningAfterPill #Contraception #EmergencyContraception♬ original sound – ellaOne UK

“It was almost like shame associated with why I was getting it as opposed to ideally I would just go in, grab it and then leave.” When you go to get the morning after pill from a pharmacist, you will be asked a few questions. The questions you will be asked include:

• How long ago did you have unprotected sex/contraceptive failure?
• How old are you (below or over 16)?
• Could you be pregnant?
• Are you breastfeeding?
• Are you taking any medication?
• Do you have any existing health conditions?

It can feel awkward, uncomfortable and embarrassing to be asked questions like this, but there is a good reason for it. The pharmacist needs to check whether the morning after pill is the right choice for you and give you any additional information you might need.

Some medications may make morning after pills less effective, so it’s important that you tell the pharmacist, doctor or sexual health practitioner if you are taking any medication and also if you are allergic to anything.

Whether or not you want to have children in your lifetime, there’s no denying that if/when you do it will be a life changing experience. It’s important that people can access contraception and emergency contraception so they can help prevent unplanned pregnancy if they don’t want to have a child right now.

Some people unfortunately do report feeling shame around accessing emergency contraception for a variety of reasons, even though they are actually taking care of themselves and their futures. Have you ever taken the morning after pill? Share your experience below to help shape the narrative around emergency contraception.