ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION IS VITAL

By Meera Narendra

For a long time, women’s sexual health services have not received the attention nor funding it deserves, with it often being seen as an “after-thought.” To add to that, the global pandemic has only further exacerbated how difficult it can be for a woman to access contraception.

Marie Stopes, a leading UK abortion provider polled 1,000 women and discovered that over a third of UK women (36%) are unsure on how to access contraception during the coronavirus pandemic. Following years of cuts to public health funding in England, many women have been left to fend for themselves navigating the complex system just to receive basic healthcare.

The diversion of resources to the COVID-19 response combined with the chronic underfunding of sexual health have seen GP surgeries and sexual health centres across the country cancelling ‘non-urgent’ contraception appointments. Many have had to close their doors completely leaving many women unable to access their usual methods of contraception. Around 1 in 7 women (14%) stated there were no available appointments to access a contraceptive service in their area, and just under 1 in 10 (9%) stating that the clinics in their area were closed.

After failed attempts to access contraception many of these women will have fallen pregnant. Katherine O’Brien, a spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory, the UK’s largest abortion provider, told The Independent: “No woman aspires to have an abortion and ideally no woman would have to access abortion services. It is much better for women if they are able to avoid an unplanned pregnancy and an abortion. For some women, an abortion will be a difficult experience.”

However, abortion services have also become restricted since the pandemic. New restrictions include the delay or denial of abortion to women with COVID-19 symptoms, or living with those who had them, and decreased availability of surgical abortion. To resolve this issue, the UK set up a temporary legislation allowing women easier access to conduct medical termination in their own homes.

“Abortion is an essential component of women’s sexual and reproductive care. While extremely safe under recommended procedures, it is responsible for substantial maternal morbidity and mortality when women do not have access to safe abortion care,” researchers at BMJ explained.

“It is much better for women if they are able to avoid an unplanned pregnancy and an abortion. For some women, an abortion will be a difficult experience.”

After failed attempts to access contraception many of these women will have fallen pregnant. Katherine O’Brien, a spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory, the UK’s largest abortion provider, told The Independent: “No woman aspires to have an abortion and ideally no woman would have to access abortion services. It is much better for women if they are able to avoid an unplanned pregnancy and an abortion. For some women, an abortion will be a difficult experience.”

However, abortion services have also become restricted since the pandemic. New restrictions include the delay or denial of abortion to women with COVID-19 symptoms, or living with those who had them, and decreased availability of surgical abortion. To resolve this issue, the UK set up a temporary legislation allowing women easier access to conduct medical termination in their own homes.

“Abortion is an essential component of women’s sexual and reproductive care. While extremely safe under recommended procedures, it is responsible for substantial maternal morbidity and mortality when women do not have access to safe abortion care,” researchers at BMJ explained.

COVID-19 has made an already difficult situation worse whilst highlighting the need for significant investment and focus on contraceptive services. A woman's need for contraception does not stop during an emergency, thus it is of the utmost importance that local and national authorities ensure that women have access to the full range of contraceptive methods available.

Accessing contraception during COVID:

  • Sh24.org.uk - an online sexual health service

  • Book a phone consultation with your GP

  • Order from an online pharmacy

  • If you need more supplies of contraceptive pills: Phone or check the website of your GP or sexual health clinic.

Accessing abortion services during COVID:

  • You can request an abortion directly from your local abortion care provider, meaning you do not need to have an appointment with your GP first.

  • Marie Stopes International UK: +44 (0) 345 300 8090

  • British Pregnancy Advisory Service: +44 (0) 3457 30 40 30

  • National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service: +44 (0) 333 004 6666