The contraceptive pill is one of the most widely used methods of preventing pregnancy, and the patch and the vaginal ring work in a similar way. With Global Health you can request contraception online in Portugal. You complete a secure questionnaire about your health, a licensed doctor reviews your answers, and if a method is clinically suitable the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can use at any pharmacy in Portugal. If it is not suitable, the doctor explains why and suggests a safer option or next step.
What is included
- A review of your medical questionnaire by a licensed doctor
- A prescription for the combined pill, the progestogen-only pill, the patch or the vaginal ring, if clinically suitable
- An electronic prescription in your Global Health account, which you can use at any pharmacy in Portugal
- Written advice on how to start your contraception and what to do if you miss a dose
- Secure messaging with the doctor about your request
The request fee covers the doctor's review. The contraception itself is paid for separately at the pharmacy.
Who this service is not suitable for
Our doctors cannot safely prescribe contraception online if you:
- are under 18, or need emergency contraception (the morning-after pill is available from pharmacies in Portugal without a prescription)
- are pregnant or think you might be
- cannot provide a blood pressure reading taken in the last 12 months
- have had a blood clot in a leg or lung, a stroke, a heart attack or heart disease (combined methods only)
- have migraine with aura, very high blood pressure, or are 35 or over and smoke (combined methods only)
- have had breast cancer, serious liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- gave birth in the last six weeks or are breastfeeding a young baby, unless discussed with your doctor
If any of these apply, please book a video consultation with a GP so a doctor can assess you properly.
How it works
- Complete the questionnaire. Answer questions about your health, your blood pressure, your periods and any medication you take. It takes about five minutes.
- Doctor review. A licensed doctor reviews your answers against clinical guidance and may message you if more information is needed.
- Prescription issued. If contraception is suitable, the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can take to any pharmacy in Portugal.
What is hormonal contraception?
Hormonal contraception uses man-made versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. When used perfectly, the pill, patch and ring are each more than 99% effective. With typical use, such as missed or late doses, they are less effective, so taking them consistently matters.
How does the contraceptive pill work?
Combined methods contain oestrogen and a progestogen. They stop the ovaries releasing an egg each month, thicken the mucus at the neck of the womb so sperm cannot get through, and thin the womb lining. The progestogen-only pill contains no oestrogen. Some types mainly thicken cervical mucus, while others also stop ovulation.
Types of hormonal contraception
- The combined pill: one tablet a day, often for 21 days followed by a seven-day break, or taken continuously
- The progestogen-only pill: one tablet every day with no break, suitable for many people who cannot take oestrogen
- The contraceptive patch: a small sticky patch changed once a week for three weeks, then a patch-free week
- The contraceptive ring: a soft, flexible ring placed in the vagina for three weeks, then removed for a week
Contraception treatment options
Your doctor will recommend a method based on your age, health, blood pressure, weight and preferences. If you smoke, have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, or have a family history of blood clots, a progestogen-only method may be safer than a combined one.
How you start matters. If you start on the first day of your period, you are usually protected straight away. If you start at another time, use condoms for the first seven days with combined methods, or two days with the progestogen-only pill. Each method has clear rules for missed or late doses, and your pharmacist and the leaflet will explain them.
Many people also use combined methods to control their periods. Running packs together without a break is a recognised way to skip a bleed, and it can help with heavy or painful periods. Using the contraceptive pill to stop periods this way is safe for most people, and your doctor can advise whether it suits you.
Hormonal contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Using condoms as well lowers that risk. Longer-acting options, such as the implant, injection or coil, need to be fitted or given in person.
Contraceptive pill side effects and safety
Contraceptive pill side effects are usually mild and often settle within the first three months. They can include spotting between periods, sore breasts, headaches, nausea and mood changes. The patch can irritate the skin, and the ring can cause vaginal discharge. If side effects continue, a different method or type may suit you better.
Combined methods carry a small increased risk of blood clots (venous thromboembolism) and, more rarely, stroke. The risk is higher if you smoke, are over 35, have a high BMI, have migraine with aura, or are immobile for a long time, for example after surgery or on a long flight. This is why your doctor needs a recent blood pressure reading and checks your history before prescribing.
Vomiting, severe diarrhoea and some medicines, including certain epilepsy and HIV treatments and some herbal remedies, can make the pill less effective. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what else you take.
When to see a doctor in person
Call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department if you have pain or swelling in one leg, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, a sudden severe headache, weakness on one side of the body or problems speaking. These can be signs of a blood clot or stroke. See your family doctor if you have bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods that does not settle, or a new type of migraine. For non-urgent advice you can call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24. You can also meet our doctors or see all online prescription services.