Useful contraception resources in Ireland

Contraception has always been a hot topic in Ireland, especially during the 20^th century. However, things have evolved, and these days, the government is more lenient when it comes to this matter. Contraceptives are not banned as they were decades ago, and even abortion is legal, albeit with some limitations. It’s very important to educate yourself about the use of contraceptives in Ireland, and here’s what you need to know.

Learn about the different types of contraceptives

The Sexual Wellbeing website does a very good job at educating everyone about the different options when it comes to contraceptives. There are still many young people these days that don’t have adequate sexual education. Thankfully, the government has created SexualWellbeing.ie, which is a great website with tons of information.

You get to learn more about the different types of contraceptives and other options that can prevent pregnancy. It also educates readers about unplanned pregnancies, and they also have different articles and guidelines for professionals and parents. It can be one of the top options to consider if you’re looking to learn about contraception in Ireland.

The HSE website

Of course, the HSE.ie website is the ideal place where you can learn everything related to contraception. They also detail the Free Contraception Contract Scheme on their website. The service is designed for people that are 17 to 35 years old. It’s very helpful since it can make it easier for young people to plan their family, avoid an unwanted pregnancy, while also getting direct access to the contraceptives they need, according to their GP’s guidelines. The Irish government also has an extensive guideline on the matter as well.

Non-governmental organizations

If you want to learn more about contraception, there are some non-governmental organizations like Spunout or the Irish Family Planning Association that can offer comprehensive information and also support on this topic.

It’s very important to educate yourself on the topic and access all the latest contraception resources where possible. Adequate education can help prevent unwanted mistakes and problems, while also alleviating any concerns that you might have. It also helps with family planning, while also helping you access programs that might assist with the process. Plus, enrolling in the Free Contraception Contract Scheme can be particularly useful, and it has the potential to help a lot more than expected. We highly recommend accessing these resources right away, while also talking with your GP for personalized support as well!

Contraception and Ireland

Contraception has been a hot topic for people in Ireland, and for a very good reason. While contraception is legal these days, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, between 1935 and 1980, Ireland banned contraception, although after 1980, the ban was lifted. Even at that point, there were very strong restrictions, although they got looser as time went by. The ban was a reflection of the catholic teachings regarding sexual morality.

Why was contraception illegal in Ireland?

Contraception became illegal under Section 17 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act in 1935. The act stated that advertising or selling any contraceptive goods was illegal. That made any contraceptives prohibited goods. Over a decade later, in 1946, a Censorship of Publications Act banned books related to contraceptives and family planning. It’s also important to keep in mind that there was no sex education in schools at that time, either.

During the 1960s and 1970s, contraceptive pills were very popular, especially in the US. In Ireland, however, those kinds of pills were banned. They were only prescribed by doctors for period regulation. But that became a loophole for people who wanted to plan their families. Even so, people were feeling conflicted because they either had to choose contraception or their religion. The Catholic Church has always been against condoms or contraception pills, as they were a proponent of natural family planning.

How are things now?

It’s important to keep in mind that during the 70’s and onward, there were many societal changes in regards to condoms. Abortion was outlawed in 1983, when a law was created to equate the fetus’s life to the life of his mother. On top of that, selling condoms to people under 18 years old was not allowed, at least until May 1990. That’s when a new law passed where people over 16 years of age would be allowed to buy condoms.

Nowadays, things are less restrictive in Ireland, at least when it comes to contraceptives. You can find them in a variety of stores, although there are still certain rules to abide by. With that in mind, abortion was also legalized in 2018 within Ireland. Yet there are some restrictions, like a 3-day waiting period and 2 GP visits. Despite that, we clearly see that Ireland made significant changes when it comes to its stance regarding contraceptive use. Things will continue to evolve, and it’s great to see that people have more control over their sexual health, along with more options to consider as well when it comes to using contraceptives!