Understanding Repeat Emergency Contraceptive Users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Repeat Emergency Contraceptive Users Ordering from an Online Sexual and Reproductive Health Service
IRAS ID
358349
Contact name
Rhiana Mills
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
SH:24
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
A small, but important group of people use emergency contraception pills (ECP) regularly and repeatedly. This way of using ECP may be more inline with ‘on-demand’ use than the ‘emergency’ use that ECPs are currently intended for. People may use ECPs in this way because current, regular methods of contraception do not meet their needs and do not allow for the flexibility and agency that ECPs can offer. In line with this, the WHO's guidelines for self-care recommend making over-the-counter ECPs available without a prescription to individuals who wish to use it as an on-demand method. Additionally, a peri-coital method of contraception, intended for ‘on-demand’ use around the time of sex (before or after), has been shown to be effective and acceptable.
Little is known about the practices, experiences, and motivations of this group of ECP users. Since ECPs are often obtained from pharmacies where no patient records are kept, free online sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services that do maintain records of ECP users provide a valuable opportunity to better understand this population. This study intends to administer a survey to regular ECP users ordering from an online SRH service, SH:24. SH:24 is commissioned and funded by NHS trusts. The survey will collect both qualitative and quantitative data and aims to gather information on ECP practices, experiences and motivations, as well as their acceptance of a potential peri-coital contraceptive offer. A small group of those completing the survey will participate in a follow-up interview, to add depth of qualitative understanding about this group. Quantitative data will be approached descriptively, and user demographics, ECP use practices, and ECP use patterns will be described. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically and will draw out understanding of how repeat ECP use is experienced and conceptualised.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0428
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion