Getting Birth Control as a Visitor: My expereince

Talk about quick and painless!

I know there's been a lot of talk and questions about how to get BC as a visitor to the UK, and instead of replying to an old thread, I thought I'd start a new one.

From my prior research on UKY and other places, there are several options:

1) the Marie Stokes clinic.  Located only in large cities, this foundation helps young women with gaining access to birth control and exams.  From what I understand from the email I had with their London office, to me it seems very similar to Planned Parenthood in the US.  I was told I'd be charged £30 and receive an exam plus a 60-day supply of pills.  Unfortunately, they didn't have any clinics near Lincoln, and I wasn't going to travel up to Leeds just for birth control!

2) Dr Thom online ordering.  This was mentioned in a previous thread and so I went to check it out.  Unfortunately, you are ineligible for BC from Dr Thom if you are not currently on one of the pills they supply.  They will not give you a different pill or try to find a pill similar to what you are on.  They also require the name and address on shipping and billing to match, so if you are visiting the UK you would need to add the UK address you are staying at to your credit card.

3) Privately order pills from an online supplier.  This is expensive and again you run the risk of not being able to find the brand you are currently on.  The pills I was on cost over £60 for a three month supply.

4) Go to a family clinic. You might have to have an exam or pay a small fee, but you will  be able to register as a "temporary visitor".

I went with this last option, and I didn't have to pay  for my visit or pills...I was completely stunned.  The consultation took all of 10 minutes while the doctor looked at the pills I was on (so take your old pill pack) and looked up a suitable equivalent, asked me afew questions, and took my blood pressure.  no charge.  I then went next door to the co-op to have the prescription filled.  I was given three months right off the bat and was charged zero.  I was assigned the NIN number of zzzz 9999, which I assume is a code for someone without a NIN/foreigner.  I was never asked to show my passport to prove I had a visa waiver stamp or anything of the sort - I wasn't even asked for my US address, just a local address and phone number.

Quick, painless, and now I  can stop worrying about having extended my stay past my supply of BC I brought along!

Hope this helps someone else!

I was assigned the NIN number of zzzz 9999, which I assume is a code for someone without a NIN/foreigner. 

You were most likely talking about an NHS Number not a National Insurance Number. They're two different things.

Wow, AOTM! Cool. I had a similar experience in Spain a few years ago. Basically I told the Dr the name of my current pill, he looked up the ingredients in the big book of meds, then prescribed me something similar. I went to the pharmacy and it cost like 4 euros. This is when socialized medicine really rocks! lol

You were most likely talking about an NHS Number not a National Insurance Number. They're two different things.

Possibly.  I only glanced at the form before turning it over to the pharmacy, so you're probably right.

The fantastic and modern attitude towards birth control of the UK is just one of many reasons why I love it here! It's free and you don't get treated like you're a dirty whore = huzzah!

The fantastic and modern attitude towards birth control of the UK is just one of many reasons why I love it here! It's free and you don't get treated like you're a dirty whore = huzzah!

I wasn't even asked how many partners I've had in the past year (which my US doc always has to ask) or any questions about my sexual history.  I loved it.

I commented on LJ, but the clinics can also be called 'sexual health clinics'.  It probably varies from PCT to PCT, but that's what all the ones around here are called.

1) the Marie Stokes clinic.  Located only in large cities, this foundation helps young women with gaining access to birth control and exams. 

Just in case anyone tries to Google this, it should be Marie Stopes:  www.mariestopes.org.uk.
She was an early campaigner for contraception.

I commented on LJ, but the clinics can also be called 'sexual health clinics'.  It probably varies from PCT to PCT, but that's what all the ones around here are called.

*nods*  I also saw the comment about it being a family planning clinic, but planning wasn't in the name of the place I went and I wasn't even sure if there was such a thing as a "family planning clinic" here or not.

Just in case anyone tries to Google this, it should be Marie Stopes:  www.mariestopes.org.uk.
She was an early campaigner for contraception.

Thanks for correcting me...I even had it open in a tab and still spelled it with a K!

I wasn't even asked how many partners I've had in the past year (which my US doc always has to ask) or any questions about my sexual history.  I loved it.

Yeap, in Miami, with my Cuban Ob-Gyn, I had to always say it was for regulating my periods, which while true, what I really wanted it for was avoiding babies, especially because I wasn't married!  But he was a very good doctor and his appointments booked up for years in advance, so it was worth the slight hassle. 

Course here I just said to the GP, I've run out of BC, please give me a script. Ok, took my BP. That's it!

I always went to Planned Parenthood.  I was never treated like anything other than someone who wanted birth control. 

The only reason they ask about partners is because the more partners the more likely you have been exposed to HPV, so the greater the risk of cancer.  14% of female college students are infected each year, so it is a valid medical question.  If you have a problem with them asking then maybe the problem is yours.  The doctor doesn't care and has probably heard more outlandish tales.

I always went to Planned Parenthood.  I was never treated like anything other than someone who wanted birth control. 

The only reason they ask about partners is because the more partners the more likely you have been exposed to HPV, so the greater the risk of cancer.  14% of female college students are infected each year, so it is a valid medical question.  If you have a problem with them asking then maybe the problem is yours.  The doctor doesn't care and has probably heard more outlandish tales.

I've been to both Planned Parenthood and a regular doctor in the US and was never treated like "a dirty whore".

bookgrl is right. There is a very good reason your doctor is asking questions about your sexual partners, and it's not to judge your behaviour.

I've been to both Planned Parenthood and a regular doctor in the US and was never treated like "a dirty whore".

Same here.

Same here.

me three.  or is it me four.

me three.  or is it me four.

no, it's me four.