There has been a sharp reduction in the number of women attending formal sexual health services since the morning-after pill became available over-the-counter at pharmacies, according to the Well Woman Centre.
The centre said just 800 women sought emergency contraception from its three clinics in Dublin last year, compared to an annual average of 4,000 in recent years.
Well Woman said the numbers seeking prescriptions for contraception has also fallen dramatically, particularly among women aged between 20 and 30.
It said emigration is also a factor in the falling numbers.
Well Woman Chief Executive Alison Begas said it was extremely important from an affordability and equity point-of-view that women can get the pill from their community pharmacy.
However, she said she would like to see a stronger connection between accessing emergency contraception and a programme of holistic sexual health.
"It has been our experience that emergency contraception appointments have acted as a woman's first route into sexual health services," she said.
"This entry-point is effectively no longer there with over-the-counter availability of emergency contraception."
