Your contraception guide

You can get contraception free of charge, even if you're under 16, from:

• contraception clinics
• sexual health or GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinics
• some GP surgeries
• some young people's services
• pharmacies

Find a sexual health clinic

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.

If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents or carer, as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given and the decisions you're making.

Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won't make you.

The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

Find out where to get contraception.