Women turning to unregulated contraception during lockdown ‘deeply worrying’, says charity

‘Medication purchased on sites like eBay might be fake, may offer no protection against unplanned pregnancy, and could be unsafe,’ says Tracey Forsyth

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Women being forced to turn to unregulated sources of contraception during lockdown “is deeply worrying”, a charity has said.

Clinics have reduced their opening hours or shut entirely during the pandemic, meaning many women are struggling to access family planning services.

Tracey Forsyth, lead contraceptive nurse the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, is urging women to avoid buying contraception from unverified sources online.

“Medication purchased on sites like eBay might be fake, may offer no protection against unplanned pregnancy, and could be unsafe,” she said.

“There is no guarantee that the pills in the packet are what is being advertised.

“If women are struggling to get their usual method through their usual route, they should seek help from regulated online pharmacies who can provide up to a 6-month supply of the contraceptive pill, delivered to their door.”

The Independent found one seller on eBay, based in the UK, who had listed a month supply of unbranded "contraceptive pill" for £10.99.

Another seller, also based in the UK, according to their eBay profile, is listing the Gynaecosid contraceptive emergency tablet pill for £10.00.

Sexual health clinics have been shut or are running skeleton services during the pandemic, as staff have been deployed to help in other areas of hospitals surgeries.

An unverified seller listing the morning after pill on eBay (eBay)

Contraceptive pill listed by unverified seller on eBay

High absence rates among GPs has also resulted in missed appointments at clinics.

Last month, a study carried out by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV found that 86 per cent of clinics could not offer effective long-acting contraceptive choices such as the coil or implant.

Only two-thirds could still fit a coil for emergency contraception, according to the study.

Peter Greenhouse, spokesperson for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said: “The longer the lockdown goes on, the worse the situation will get for women’s sexual health.”

“Anything that limits availability and choice of contraception harms women’s health and Covid’s had a huge impact on sexual health services.”

He added: “Our UK-wide live survey found that two-thirds of clinics had less than 20 per cent capacity for face-to-face consultations.

“A third of services have stopped giving three-monthly contraceptive injections (Depoprovera), 86 per cent of clinics couldn’t offer the most effective long-acting choices of a coil or an implant, and only two-thirds could still fit a coil for emergency contraception.

“Although 90 per cent offer telephone advice on choice and supply of pills, switching methods during the current crisis is more difficult and only one in five clinics can provide pills or patches online.

“So while social distancing is reducing opportunities for the spread of STIs, women who need to adjust their contraception, or manage heavy or severely painful periods, will have a much more challenging time.”