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What to do if…
a partner interferes with or controls your contraception, medication, or pregnancy choices

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Reach a place where you can speak safely and privately, and call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Contact a pharmacist, clinician, or reproductive health clinic promptly about any affected medication, contraception, or pregnancy care rather than guessing what to take or do next.

Do not do these things

  • Do not confront your partner while alone if that could increase the danger.
  • Do not take pills or use contraception that appears damaged, replaced, unfamiliar, or altered.
  • Do not double a medication dose, replace a missed dose, or stop ongoing treatment without advice from a pharmacist or clinician.
  • Do not let pressure from your partner force an immediate pregnancy decision.
  • Do not make sudden changes to passwords, location sharing, or shared accounts if those changes could alert your partner and make you less safe.
  • Do not feel that you must leave the relationship or make a report before seeking healthcare or specialist support.

What to do now

  1. Reach a safer pause. Go somewhere your partner cannot overhear or interrupt you, such as a trusted person’s home, workplace, clinic, pharmacy, or public place. Call 911 if you need immediate police, fire, or ambulance assistance.

  2. Get advice about affected medication. Call the dispensing pharmacy or prescribing clinician if medication is missing, damaged, replaced, mixed with unfamiliar pills, or possibly altered. Tell them what you noticed, the medication and usual dose, when you last took it, and whether another dose is due.

  3. Contact Poison Control after a possible wrong or unknown dose. Call 1-800-222-1222 or use its online tool if you may have swallowed an unexpected medication or incorrect amount. Call 911 immediately if you collapse, have a seizure, have trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened.

  4. Arrange reproductive healthcare promptly if contraception may have been interfered with. Contact a sexual and reproductive health clinic and explain what happened and when. Ask about emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, STI services, replacement contraception, and any time-sensitive care that may apply.

  5. Ask to speak with healthcare staff without your partner present. Tell reception staff, a nurse, pharmacist, or clinician that you need a private conversation. Ask what information can be kept private and whether calls, messages, patient portals, mail, or insurance communications could be seen by your partner.

  6. Seek private support about pregnancy choices. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, tell a clinician that someone is pressuring or controlling your decision. Ask about the services available where you live and any time-sensitive factors, without making a decision while your partner is present.

  7. Contact a specialist advocate from a safer phone or device. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), by texting START to 88788, or through online chat. If sexual contact without consent or sexual assault is part of the situation, RAINN can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), by texting HOPE to 64673, or through online chat.

  8. Tell one trusted person what would help immediately. This could be private transportation, company at a clinic, temporary safekeeping for medication, a place to stay briefly, or a check-in at an agreed time.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to end the relationship, report what happened, pursue legal action, tell other people, or choose a long-term contraception plan. Focus first on immediate safety, accurate medical advice, and space to consider your own choices privately.

Important reassurance

Interference with contraception or pregnancy decisions is often called reproductive coercion or reproductive abuse. Controlling access to medication can also be part of a wider pattern of abuse. You are not responsible for your partner’s actions, and you do not have to make decisions about leaving or reporting before taking the next safety or healthcare step.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, healthcare contact, and specialist support only. Later decisions about treatment, pregnancy care, housing, reporting, legal options, finances, or the relationship may require qualified local help.

Important note

This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Medication risks, privacy protections, pregnancy-related care, healthcare access, and laws vary by individual circumstances and state, so seek advice from a qualified clinician, pharmacist, advocate, or attorney where needed.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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