# Contraception

Mice trial raises hopes for 'on demand' male contraceptive pill

The new drug candidate rendered male mice infertile within an hour and wore off in less than a day.

10.6k

Feb 15th 2023, 8:43 AM

Last year

2022

# reproductive health

Free contraception scheme to include women aged 26 from 1 January 2023

The scheme will be further expanded to include 27 to 30-year-olds from 1 September 2023

6.4k

Dec 16th 2022, 6:00 AM

Over 700 GPs still waiting for free contraception contracts to be finalised

The scheme was opened to women aged 17 to 25 last month.

5.5k

Oct 28th 2022, 7:42 AM

# reproductive health

Healthcare: Public IVF services and expansion of free contraception to women aged 16 to 30

This could see savings of up to €470 on the cost of prescription contraception.

17.9k

Updated

Sep 27th 2022, 8:42 PM

# Healthcare

Free contraception scheme for women aged 17 to 25 begins today

The National Women’s Council has welcomed the move but said it’s ‘crucial’ that the age bracket is widened.

20.5k

Updated

Sep 14th 2022, 12:51 PM

# Healthcare

Cabinet green lights free contraception plan for young women

Legislation enabling a free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25 is to be published in the coming days.

13.0k

Jun 28th 2022, 3:45 PM

# new report

Almost half of pregnancies worldwide ‘unintended’, report finds

The report by the United Nations Population Fund was hosted by the Irish Family Planning Association.

15.0k

Mar 30th 2022, 7:15 AM

All time

# Your Say

Poll: Should free contraception be extended to all ages over 25?

It was announced this week that the contraceptive pill will be free of charge for women in the 17-25 age cohort.

26.1k

Oct 15th 2021, 7:57 AM

Voices

Opinion: For too long, contraception has been a woman’s private and personal responsibility

Director of the National Women’s Council, Orla O’Connor says while this week’s announcement is welcome, we must move fast to provide universal contraception.

10.7k

Oct 15th 2021, 7:00 AM

Donnelly says free contraception for 17-25 year olds 'is just the start'

The health minister said the roll out of such a measure would’ve been ‘unthinkable to do in the past’.

9.0k

Oct 14th 2021, 5:16 PM

# The Budget

'Over 25s have sex': Criticism of decision to limit free contraception scheme to young women

The roll out of free contraception to women aged between 17 and 25 was announced today.

28.6k

Oct 12th 2021, 9:32 PM

# Women's Health

Free contraception to be made available for young women

Two GP appointments per year relating to contraception will also be free.

39.3k

Oct 12th 2021, 2:06 PM

# budget 2022

Roll out of free contraception expected to be given green light for Budget 2022

The roll out of free contraception is key promise in the programme for government.

18.9k

Oct 5th 2021, 6:00 AM

# Andrew Sabisky

Boris Johnson faces calls to sack adviser who made controversial remarks about contraception and race

Andrew Sabisky once suggested enforcing the uptake of contraception to stop unplanned pregnancies “creating a permanent underclass”.

45.7k

Feb 17th 2020, 11:08 AM

# ge2020

Q&A: Here's where Ireland's parties stand on women's healthcare ahead of the election

Where do the parties stand on issues like maternity and infant services, contraception and IVF?

7.8k

Feb 7th 2020, 12:29 PM

# jason evert

US chastity speaker cancels trip to Ireland 'due to illness' after number of talks were axed

A number of talks by Jason Evert had already been cancelled amid criticism of his stance on homosexuality and other issues.

73.6k

329

Updated

Jan 14th 2020, 5:46 PM

# Research

Scientists develop monthly contraceptive pill, but it's only been tested on pigs so far

The pill sits in the stomach and dissolves slowly, releasing the hormones required to prevent pregnancy.

11.4k

Dec 5th 2019, 8:56 AM

No money in next year's budget for free contraception, committee heard

A recent report recommends that free contraception rollout should target young women first.

26.2k

Updated

Nov 27th 2019, 9:06 PM

# hard pill to swallow

Free contraception recommended for young women only, due to cost

Making contraception free for everyone could be “an ineffective use of scarce resources”, a report has found.

19.8k

Oct 29th 2019, 12:44 PM

# Women's Health

Minister sets up period poverty committee: 'Menstruation is not a choice'

The health minister said women are facing significant costs paying for sanitary products.

22.5k

Oct 7th 2019, 6:10 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should VAT be removed on condoms and menstrual cups?

The idea is backed by Minister for Health Simon Harris.

28.7k

Aug 12th 2019, 9:05 AM

Harris wants VAT removed on condoms and menstrual cups

Currently,13.5% VAT applies to condoms, but the minister wants this brought down to 0%.

22.7k

Aug 12th 2019, 12:10 AM

Harris announces public consultation on increasing access to contraception

A working group on the matter was established by government earlier this year.

9.9k

Jul 9th 2019, 10:53 AM

# may mcgee

'I'd rather see her using contraceptives than be throwing flowers on her grave'

May McGee’s fight to overturn Ireland’s ban on contraception is the subject of a documentary on RTÉ One this evening.

43.6k

Jun 4th 2019, 4:55 PM

# Birth Defects

Calls for free folic acid to be given to Irish women as minister considers it ahead of Budget

Taking folic acid every day helps prevent your unborn baby from developing serious and possibly fatal conditions.

14.0k

May 27th 2019, 6:10 AM

There’s been a major breakthrough in the male contraceptive pill and thank Christ for that

The future is here.

12.3k

Mar 27th 2019, 10:56 AM

Harris announces group to examine how to make contraception cheaper

The group will examine the extent to which cost is a barrier to accessing reliable methods of contraception in Ireland.

9.4k

Mar 4th 2019, 6:58 AM

Working group to investigate how to roll out free contraception for Irish women

People with outside expertise will sit on the new group, with a chairperson to be appointed shortly.

20.4k

Feb 17th 2019, 8:00 AM

# male contraception

Researchers in Scotland need men to trial a male contraceptive gel

Previous trials have shown some success

17.7k

Feb 1st 2019, 5:35 PM

# sexual health

Quitting contraception: why women are throwing out the pill

And why we should investigate our options first.

11.9k

Jan 29th 2019, 2:59 PM

# health minister

Harris lobbied by pharmacists' group and pharma company on free contraception

The Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment recommended free contraception for all women.

17.7k

Jan 26th 2019, 12:05 AM

You don't have to take a 7 day break on the contraceptive pill to appease the Pope anymore

Research shows the break provides no health benefit.

15.3k

Jan 21st 2019, 5:26 PM

# Obamacare

Trump's order to block some women's access to free contraception blocked by judge

It was estimated that over 70,000 women would be affecting by the repeal of the Obama-era provision.

22.9k

Jan 15th 2019, 7:06 AM

Voices

Opinion: I was always adamant I'd never have the snip ... but I did

It was incomprehensible to me that I would ever intentionally harm such a vital part of my body. I’d sooner lose a leg, writes Eric Nolan.

31.7k

Jan 11th 2019, 7:00 AM

New self-lubricating condoms can reduce infection risk and withstand '1,000 thrusts'

This condom was more likely to retain its “slipperiness”, researchers found.

47.3k

Oct 17th 2018, 2:45 PM

# Safe sex

Giving women free access to the pill will require a change in the law

As part of this year’s budget talks, the minister plans to increase the availability of free condoms.

14.4k

Sep 27th 2018, 2:52 PM

# rollback

Irish pharmacists want condoms to be made VAT-free

Currently they have a VAT rate of 13.5%.

12.3k

Sep 14th 2018, 1:25 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Should the contraceptive pill be available for free without prescription?

Fianna Fáil has added to calls to make the pill more freely available.

31.8k

124

Aug 16th 2018, 8:28 AM

# bishop of elphin

Minister on bishop's comments: 'Contraception is fact of life now for women'

Mary Mitchell O’Conner said she agreed with the health minister that religion should not determine health and social policy in Ireland.

17.2k

Aug 8th 2018, 6:20 AM