Cue confusion, because the last time we checked you can get emergency contraception for free in the UK - if you know where to look.
The idea that the morning after pill is unaffordable is a misconception, which got us thinking about other emergency contraception myths that need busting...
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Myth #1: It's only available from your GP
Fact: The morning after pill is available both on prescription from your GP and over the counter from most local pharmacies.
"You can also access it from your A&E department," explains Dr Helen Webberley, the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy.
"Many people choose to use online doctor services linked to pharmacies as it often costs less, as well as being more discreet and convenient."
Myth #2: The morning after pill is expensive
Fact: While the price of the morning after pill ranges from £25-£30 at most pharmacies, the majority of sexual health clinics and GP surgeries will offer emergency contraception for free.
Fact: The age of consent may be 16 in the UK, but people under the age of 16 can get emergency contraception.
"There is no lower age limit on getting the morning after pill, as long as the person is deemed 'competent' to make medical decisions about their health," Dr Webberley says.
Myth #4: You have to take it very soon after having sex
Fact: According to the NHS, there are two kinds of emergency contraceptive pill. Levonelle has to be taken within 72 hours (three days) of sex, and ellaOne has to be taken within 120 hours (five days) of sex.
However, it is advisable to take emergency contraception as soon as you are able to.
Myth #5: You can only take the morning after pill twice in 12 months
Fact: There is no limit to the number of times you can take the emergency contraceptive pill during a lifetime.
However, according to sexual health charity Brook depending on which pill you have taken, there are restrictions on how many times you can take it during a single menstrual cycle.
Levonelle can be taken as many times as you need to in your menstrual cycle, but ellaOne cannot be used more than once per menstrual cycle, or in the same cycle as taking Levonelle.
However some pharmacists will not issue the morning after pill twice in the same month because they have special licensing laws.
Dr Webberley also insists the progesterone-only emergency pill is "very safe".
Myth #6: Emergency contraception only comes in pill form
Fact: While the morning after pill may be the most well-known form of emergency contraception, you can also have an IUD or coil fitted to prevent pregnancy.
According to the NHS, the IUD can be inserted into your uterus up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have ovulated.
"The coil is good because it then goes on to act as a contraceptive for the next 10 years if needed," Dr Webberley adds.
Myth #7: It is the same as having an abortion
Fact: "Abortion occurs after implantation has taken place. Emergency contraception is designed to prevent ovulation, if it has not already occurred," Dr Webberley explains.
"It then also has a back-up of preventing fertilisation and implantation. It is not intended to affect a fertilised egg that has already implanted, so it is not an abortion."
Contraception Myths Explained
Myth(01 of11)
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1 in 2 women believe that all types of contraception require you to do something regularly to be effective (credit:Alamy)
Fact(02 of11)
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"Some long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant or intrauterine contraceptives do not require regular administration in order to be effective."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(03 of11)
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Almost 1 in 5 women don’t realise they can get pregnant if they miss a pill (credit:Alamy)
Fact(04 of11)
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"Missing a pill can significantly impact the risk of becoming pregnant particularly if you have unprotected sex around the time of the hormone free interval. If you do miss a pill, follow the instructions on your packet of pills."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(05 of11)
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"Around 1 in 4 women believe that long acting reversible contraception (LARCs) are permanent and irreversible contraception solutions." (credit:Alamy)
Fact(06 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. For example once an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed, there is no evidence to suggest a delay in the woman's fertility return."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(07 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women believe that all contraception requires a monthly visit to their Healthcare professional (HCP) (credit:Alamy)
Fact(08 of11)
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"That's not the case - for example following the fitting of an intrauterine contraceptive, women should return to their healthcare professional for a check at about 6 weeks and then they don't need to make another appointment until it needs changing."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Fact(09 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. There is no evidence of delay in return of fertility when an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed. There could be a delay of up to one year in the return of fertility after a woman stops having the contraceptive injection."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(10 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women think that long term methods all need surgical insertion into the uterus. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(11 of11)
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"The intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD) are inserted into the uterus. Injectable contraceptives are however given by injection either into the large muscle in the bottom or in the upper arm and the contraceptive implant is fitted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)