Can you separate fact from fiction?

In recent years, we've seen a major shift in Irish attitudes towards sexuality. Gone are the days when women's pleasure was considered a taboo topic and a cloud of shame surrounded conversations about sex.

As we continue to promote and platform open conversations about sex, it's vital that the facts take centre stage, and knowledge really is power. According to recent research* conducted by morning after pill brand ellaOne®**, 59% of Irish women aged 18-35 are having sex 2-3 times a week or more, while 9% of those surveyed are having sex more than 4 times a week.

However, taking risks around unplanned pregnancy appears to remain high. Almost three quarters 73% of respondents said that they have had unprotected sex where either no contraception was used or the contraception failed.

Elsewhere, the study found that two thirds of the women surveyed have taken the morning after pill, however 41% said that there were other occasions where they could have taken the morning after pill but decided not to.

Of this group, a third (33%) said that they decided to take a risk that they wouldn't get pregnant, while almost the same number (32%) said they were too embarrassed to ask a pharmacist for it. And, while women between the ages of 17-35 can avail of free emergency contraception through the government's Free Contraception Scheme, 27% of those surveyed said they didn't avail of the morning after pill as they couldn't afford it. Ladies, if you're feeling too embarrassed to ask your pharmacist, you can avail of emergency contraception via click and collect at certain pharmacies across Ireland and it is more accessible than ever. Remember, no prescription is required.

Also, don’t let the phrase ‘morning after’ fool you, ellaOne® can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, although like all other forms of emergency contraception, the sooner it is taken, the better.

So, how much about the morning after pill do you really know? Reckon you're able to separate fact from fiction? Take this quiz and see if you're able to debunk some common contraception myths!

If you'd like to brush up on your knowledge, visit ellaone.ie.

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*The research was conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of ellaOne®  through an online survey across 1,213 females, aged 18-35 years, in May 2023.

**ellaOne® is an emergency contraceptive pill that is available from pharmacies, and online through pharmacy. Click & Collect services, without a prescription. No other morning after pill is more effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.* Glasier A et al. Lancet 2010; 375(9714):555-62

ellaOne®consists of one film-coated tablet which should be taken as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Each film-coated tablet of ellaOne® contains 30 mg ulipristal acetate. Always read the label.