The Lowdown is a contraception review platform and community that provides women and users of contraception with user generated data and medically reviewed content to help inform their reproductive healthcare decisions. Special advisor to the Self Care Forum Dr Melanie Davis-Hall is a GP and medical director at The Lowdown. 

The calculator has been endorsed by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) and the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum, and built using guidelines from the FSRH in order to provide evidence-based information to those who have missed taking their contraceptive pill.  Around 10,000 users have already used the calculator in the last 12 months, demonstrating the demand for access to reliable health information in an easy to use digital format.

The calculator can be used as part of a holistic consultation to support understanding of the risk of unplanned pregnancy and effective decision making around contraceptive choice and use.  It takes the guesswork out of what to do and helps clinicians and patients feel confident to understand whether to use emergency contraception or extra contraceptive precautions.  The calculator makes clear that decisions regarding contraception choices should always include discussion with a healthcare professional and is not a substitute for taking medical advice.   

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