This table includes a list of countries by emergency contraceptive availability. [1]
(LNG refers to Levonorgestrel and UPA refers to Ulipristal acetate).
Country | Region | Availability | Over the counter | Non-prescription | Age restriction | Cost | Awareness | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Asia | Import only | [2] | |||||
Albania | Europe | None [3] | €15,60 (UPA) €4,50 (LNG) | 66-75% [4] [5] | "Currently, Postinor-2 (LNG) is the only EC brand available in Albania as there is a stock out of NorLevo in the country for unknown reasons." [6] | |||
Algeria | Africa | (LNG only) | [7] | |||||
Andorra | Europe | (16 and over) | Under 16s require parental consent [8] | €20 – €26 (UPA) €6,1 – €7,8 (LNG) | [9] | |||
Angola | Africa | (34%) | 580 - 2950 AKZ | 23.5% [10] [11] | [2] | |||
Antigua and Barbuda | Caribbean | Some restrictions | [12] | |||||
Argentina | South America | Over 14 | Free at all public hospitals in Buenos Aires | [13] [14] | ||||
Armenia | Caucasus | |||||||
Aruba | Caribbean | None | [15] | |||||
Australia | Oceania | (LNG only) | None [16] | $20–$30 (LNG) [17] | 97% [18] | [19] "Pharmacists can refuse supply on religious grounds, but must refer the woman to another supplier" [16] | ||
Austria | Europe | None | €31,90 (UPA) €12,90–13,50 (LNG) | ≥84% [20] | [21] Common claim that it acts like an abortifacient [20] | |||
Azerbaijan | Caucasus | |||||||
Bahamas | Caribbean | (LNG only) | Only available in family planning clinics [15] | |||||
Bahrain | Asia | [2] | ||||||
Bangladesh | Asia | None | ৳24,00 Free (government clinics) [22] | "Relatively unknown", 2001 [23] | [24] | |||
Barbados | Caribbean | (LNG only) | Access restricted due to misinformation [25] [26] | |||||
Belgium | Europe | None | €24,99 (€15,99 if <21 years old) (UPA), €8,55–€9,85 (€0–€0,85 if <21 years old) (LNG) | Fully reimbursed under prescription if under 21 [27] [21] | ||||
Belarus | Europe | (LNG only) | None | €17 (UPA) €10 (LNG) | [28] | |||
Belize | Central America | (LNG only) | [29] | |||||
Benin | Africa | |||||||
Bhutan | Asia | Over the counter EC introduced in 2018 [30] | ||||||
Bolivia | South America | None | Bs55.50 | [31] | ||||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Europe | €25,30–30,00 (UPA) €14,50–22,50 (LNG) | Anecdotally available without prescription [32] | |||||
Botswana | Africa | (LNG only) | [33] | |||||
Brazil | South America | None | Free at most public hospitals, R$35 otherwise | [34] [35] | ||||
Brunei | Asia | 30BND (LNG) | Available with a Drs prescription from private clinics [2] | |||||
Bulgaria | Europe | None (UPA) Over 16 (LNG) | €22,00 (UPA) €15,00 (LNG) | ≥84% [20] | [36] | |||
Burkina Faso | Africa | |||||||
Burundi | Africa | [37] | (31%)[11] | 22.9% | Women can be refused service by providers, and it is disapproved of by church leaders. Many are secretive about contraceptive use. [37] [38] | |||
Cameroon | Africa | |||||||
Cambodia | Asia | |||||||
Canada | North America | (except Saskatchewan) | (LNG only) | [39] [40] | ||||
Canada (Quebec) | North America | [39] [40] | ||||||
Cape Verde | Africa | Possibly due to small population [2] | ||||||
Central African Republic | Africa | |||||||
Chad | Africa | |||||||
Chile | South America | None | [41] | |||||
China | Asia | |||||||
Colombia | South America | |||||||
Comoros | Africa | Import only | [2] [11] | |||||
Congo, Democratic Republic of | Africa | (LNG only) | XOF 1200 | 23% (2015, Kinshasa) [42] | ||||
Costa Rica | Central America | Due to active opposition [2] | ||||||
Croatia | Europe | LNG only available without prescription if over 16 years old | €25,60 (UPA) €21,40 (LNG) | [43] [21] | ||||
Cuba | Caribbean | [44] | ||||||
Curaco | Caribbean | (LNG only) | None | [45] | ||||
Cyprus | Europe | None | €29,42 (UPA) | Only UPA is available due to financial crisis [46] [21] | ||||
Czech Republic | Europe | † | None (UPA) †Under 17s need a prescription (LNG) | €24,50 (UPA) €21,00 (LNG) | ≥84% [20] | [47] [48] | ||
Denmark | Europe | None | €23,36 (UPA) €12,45 (LNG) | 45% [49] | [50] [21] | |||
Djibouti | Africa | |||||||
Dominican Republic | Central America | |||||||
East Timor | Oceania | Due to conflict in the region [2] | ||||||
Ecuador | South America | (only at public health clinics) | None | Free at public health premises | [13] [14] | |||
Egypt | Africa | [51] | ||||||
El Salvador | Central America | |||||||
Equatorial Guinea | Africa | Import only | [2] Pregnant girls are forced to leave school. [52] | |||||
Eritrea | Africa | Import only | [2] | |||||
Estonia | Europe | (LNG only) | €18,73 (UPA) €15,79 (LNG) | [53] | ||||
Ethiopia | Africa | |||||||
Fiji | Oceania | Import only | [2] | |||||
Finland | Europe | None | €33,60 (UPA) €18,87 (LNG) | >90% [54] | Sometimes provided free of charge in hospitals and family planning clinics [55] [56] [21] | |||
France | Europe | LNG and UPA available for free without prescription to minors and adults alike in pharmacies, family-planning clinics, secondary school and university infirmaries [57] [58] | ||||||
Gabon | Africa | 49% [59] | ||||||
Gambia | Africa | Import Only | [60] [11] | |||||
Georgia | Caucasus | |||||||
Germany | Europe | Parental consent if under 14 years old [61] | €30 (UPA) €18 (LNG) | If under 20 years old, free with prescription [62] [63] | ||||
Ghana | Africa | None | 4-19 Cedis | 64% [59] | [64] | |||
Greece | Europe | None | €25.77 (UPA) €7 (LNG) | [21] [65] | ||||
Guatemala | Central America | (LNG only) | None | [66] | ||||
Guinea-Bissau | Africa | Import only | [2] | |||||
Guinea-Conakry | Africa | |||||||
Guyana | Caribbean | (LNG only) | Guy $1000-$2500 | 30% | [67] | |||
Haiti | Caribbean | 19% [68] / 58% [69] | [2] | |||||
Hungary | Europe | Anecdotally easy to get without prescription along borders [70] | ||||||
Honduras | Central America | N/A | N/A | After having been available one for cases of rape, it became legal for universal access in March 2023. [71] [72] | ||||
Hong Kong | Asia | [73] | ||||||
Iceland | Europe | (LNG only) | [74] | |||||
India | Asia | <33% | [75] | |||||
Indonesia | Asia | |||||||
Iran | Asia | |||||||
Iraq | Asia | Import only | [2] | |||||
Ireland | Europe | No age restriction [76] [21] | ||||||
Israel | Middle East | None | ILS 166 (UPA) ILS 55-100 (LNG) | [77] | ||||
Italy | Europe | [21] | ||||||
Ivory Coast | Africa | |||||||
Jamaica | Central America | |||||||
Japan | Asia | [78] [79] | ||||||
Jordan | Middle East | [2] | ||||||
Kazakhstan | Asia | €15,10 (UPA) €5,54 (LNG) | Easy to get without prescription along borders [80] | |||||
Kenya | Africa | None | Ksh200 | 59% [59] | [81] | |||
Kiribati | Polynesia | Import only | [2] | |||||
Kosovo | Europe | |||||||
Kuwait | Asia | [82] | ||||||
Kyrgyzstan | Asia | [83] | ||||||
Laos | Asia | |||||||
Latvia | Europe | [84] | ||||||
Lebanon | Asia | |||||||
Lesotho | Africa | 35% | [59] | |||||
Libya | Africa | Due to conflict in the region [2] | ||||||
Lithuania | Europe | (LNG only) | ≥84% [20] | [85] | ||||
Luxembourg | Europe | Available for free without prescription at pharmacies [86] | ||||||
Madagascar | Africa | [87] | ||||||
Malawi | Africa | 45% [59] | ||||||
Malaysia | Asia | $1.30-5.00 (LNG) | ||||||
Maldives | Asia | Import only | [2] [11] | |||||
Mali | Africa | |||||||
Malta | Europe | €37,94 (UPA) €19,90 (LNG) | Available since 2016 after a judicial protest from the Women's Rights Foundation [88] [89] There remains a common misconception that it is an abortifacient[ citation needed ] | |||||
Mauritania | Africa | |||||||
Mauritius | Indian Ocean | |||||||
Mexico | North America | (LNG only) | None | Free in family planning centres | 75% | [90] | ||
Micronesia | Oceania | Possibly due to small population [2] | ||||||
Moldova | Europe | €17,03 (UPA) €8,04 (LNG) † | 62% (2012) | † Free for women under 21 and in cases of rape at Youth Friendly Health Centres [91] | ||||
Montenegro | Europe | Possibly due to small population [2] | ||||||
Morocco | Africa | [92] | ||||||
Mozambique | Africa | |||||||
Myanmar | Asia | None | Under Ks1,000 | Sale was stopped by authorities during holidays [93] [94] | ||||
Nepal | Asia | (LNG only) | Rs. 100-150 [95] | 28% (2011) | [96] Sales increased rapidly from 2015, so awareness data is possibly out of date [95] | |||
Netherlands | Europe | None | €35 (UPA) €15 (LNG) | Reimbursed under prescription [21] | ||||
New Zealand | Oceania | (LNG only) | None [97] | $35–$50 [98] | [99] | |||
Niger | Africa | 4% (2012) | [100] | |||||
Nigeria | Africa | (LNG only) | None | ~$1.00 | 30% (2013) | [101] | ||
North Korea | Asia | Due to conflict in the region [2] | ||||||
Norway | Europe | None | €32,80 (UPA) €24,60 (LNG) | Often free of charge of needy patients [102] [103] | ||||
Oman | Middle East | [104] | ||||||
Pakistan | Asia | |||||||
Papua New Guinea | Oceania | Import only | [2] | |||||
Paraguay | South America | Free at some public hospitals, Gs. 35.000 otherwise | [105] | |||||
Peru | South America | None | Free | Many found to be counterfeit [106] | ||||
Philippines | Asia | Due to active opposition [2] | ||||||
Poland | Europe | [107] | ≥84% [20] | [108] Common misconception that it acts like an abortifacient [20] | ||||
Portugal | Europe | Free from family planning centres, €12 otherwise | [109] [21] | |||||
Qatar | Middle East | [2] | ||||||
Romania | Europe | None | €20 (UPA) €13 (LNG) | ≥84% [20] | [110] [21] | |||
Russia | Asia | €7,55 (LNG) | ≥84% [20] | De facto sold over counter, only LNG available [111] | ||||
Rwanda | Africa | Import only | [2] [11] | |||||
Saint Kitts & Nevis | West Indies | Possibly due to small population [2] | ||||||
Saint Vincent & Grenadines | Caribbean | Import only | [2] | |||||
Samoa | Oceania | † | 4.7% [112] | †Available only at the TTM National Referral Hospital in Apia, reportedly to discourage ‘abuse’ by either nurses or client. [113] | ||||
São Tomé and Príncipe | Africa | Import only | [2] [11] | |||||
Saudi Arabia | Middle East | 6.2% [114] | Prescription may have been available in the past, but it appears to be banned. [114] [115] [116] | |||||
Senegal | Africa | None | $10.36 (UPA) $7.50 (LNG) | 13% [117] | [118] | |||
Serbia | Europe | |||||||
Seychelles | Africa | Import only | [2] | |||||
Sierra Leone | Africa | (LNG only) | 6.2% [119] | 30% of girls have their first child before turning 18. Pregnant girls are forced to leave school. [52] [120] | ||||
Singapore | Asia | [121] | ||||||
Slovakia | Europe | None | €27 (UPA) €22 (LNG) | [122] [21] | ||||
Slovenia | Europe | [21] | ||||||
Solomon Islands | Oceania | Import only | [2] | |||||
Somalia | Africa | Due to conflict in the region [2] | ||||||
South Africa | Africa | R86,68–100,75 (LNG) | 23% | [123] [124] | ||||
South Korea | Asia | [125] | ||||||
South Sudan | Africa | Import only | [2] | |||||
Spain | Europe | None | ≥84% [20] | [126] [21] | ||||
Sri Lanka | Asia | (LNG only) | Rs.90-150 | [127] | ||||
Sudan | Africa | Due to conflict in the region [2] | ||||||
Suriname | South America | |||||||
Sweden | Europe | None | €25 (UPA) €17 (LNG) Free from youth centres | [128] [129] [21] | ||||
Switzerland | Europe | €32,85 (UPA) €17,50 (LNG) | [130] | |||||
Syria | Asia | Import only | [2] | |||||
Taiwan | Asia | [131] | ||||||
Tajikistan | Asia | |||||||
Tanzania | Africa | (LNG only) | $5.00 | 11.8% [132] | Twenty percent of 15-19-year-old girls become pregnant, and are forced to leave school. [52] [133] | |||
Thailand | Asia | |||||||
Tonga | Polynesia | Import only | [2] | |||||
Tunisia | Africa | |||||||
Turkey | Asia | €12 | [134] | |||||
Tuvalu | Polynesia | Possibly due to small population [2] | ||||||
UAE | Middle East | N/A | N/A | Banned because of the claim that it is an abortifacient. [135] [136] | ||||
United Kingdom | Europe | Over 16 without prescription | Free from health care professionals | ≥84% [20] | [137] [21] | |||
United States of America | North America | [138] | (80%)(LNG only) | (LNG only) | None [139] | $40–50 USD (LNG) [140] [141] | 45% [142] | [141] "roughly 1 in ten teens were incorrectly told they were too young to get [emergency contraception] without a prescription." [138] |
Uruguay | South America | Adult only | [143] | |||||
Uzbekistan | Asia | |||||||
Vanuatu | Oceania | 1000 Vatu | Personal experience in Port Vila, Efate 2018 | |||||
Venezuela | South America | † | †Technically available, but rare and prohibitively expensive due to economic collapse [144] [145] [146] | |||||
Vietnam | Asia | (LNG only) | [147] | |||||
West Bank and Gaza | Middle East | Import only | [2] | |||||
Western Sahara | Africa | Due to conflict in the region and a small population [2] | ||||||
Zambia | Africa | Free of charge at public health institutions [148] | 7.5% [148] | [149] | ||||
Coitus interruptus, also known as withdrawal, pulling out or the pull-out method, is a method of birth control during penetrative sexual intercourse, whereby the penis is withdrawn from a vagina or anus prior to ejaculation so that the ejaculate (semen) may be directed away in an effort to avoid insemination.
Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combined hormonal contraception. The pill contains two important hormones: a progestin and estrogen. When taken correctly, it alters the menstrual cycle to eliminate ovulation and prevent pregnancy.
Family planning is the consideration of the number of children a person wishes to have, including the choice to have no children, and the age at which they wish to have them. Things that may play a role on family planning decisions include marital situation, career or work considerations, financial situations. If sexually active, family planning may involve the use of contraception and other techniques to control the timing of reproduction.
Levonorgestrel is a hormonal medication which is used in a number of birth control methods. It is combined with an estrogen to make combination birth control pills. As an emergency birth control, sold under the brand names Plan B One-Step and Julie, among others, it is useful within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The more time that has passed since sex, the less effective the medication becomes, and it does not work after pregnancy (implantation) has occurred. Levonorgestrel works by preventing ovulation or fertilization from occurring. It decreases the chances of pregnancy by 57–93%. In an intrauterine device (IUD), such as Mirena among others, it is effective for the long-term prevention of pregnancy. A levonorgestrel-releasing implant is also available in some countries.
Male contraceptives, also known as male birth control, are methods of preventing pregnancy that are used by males or people who produce sperm. The main forms of male contraceptives available today are condoms, vasectomy, and withdrawal, and these methods combined make up less than one-third of global contraceptive use.
Progestogen-only pills (POPs), colloquially known as "mini pills", are a type of oral contraceptive that contain synthetic progestogens (progestins) and do not contain estrogens. They are primarily used for the prevention of undesired pregnancy, although additional medical uses also exist.
Drospirenone is a progestin and antiandrogen medication which is used in birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and in menopausal hormone therapy, among other uses. It is available both alone under the brand name Slynd and in combination with an estrogen under the brand name Yasmin among others. The medication is an analog of the drug spironolactone. Drospirenone is taken by mouth.
Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones, although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The original hormonal method—the combined oral contraceptive pill—was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960. In the ensuing decades, many other delivery methods have been developed, although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular. Hormonal contraception is highly effective: when taken on the prescribed schedule, users of steroid hormone methods experience pregnancy rates of less than 1% per year. Perfect-use pregnancy rates for most hormonal contraceptives are usually around the 0.3% rate or less. Currently available methods can only be used by women; the development of a male hormonal contraceptive is an active research area.
Controversy over the beginning of pregnancy occurs in different contexts, particularly as it is discussed within the debate of abortion in the United States. Because an abortion is defined as ending an established pregnancy, rather than as destroying a fertilized egg, depending on when pregnancy is considered to begin, some methods of birth control as well as some methods of infertility treatment might be classified as causing abortions.
There are many methods of birth control that vary in requirements, side effects, and effectiveness. As the technology, education, and awareness about contraception has evolved, new contraception methods have been theorized and put in application. Although no method of birth control is ideal for every user, some methods remain more effective, affordable or intrusive than others. Outlined here are the different types of barrier methods, hormonal methods, various methods including spermicides, emergency contraceptives, and surgical methods and a comparison between them.
Contraceptive security is an individual's ability to reliably choose, obtain, and use quality contraceptives for family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The term refers primarily to efforts undertaken in low and middle-income countries to ensure contraceptive availability as an integral part of family planning programs. Even though there is a consistent increase in the use of contraceptives in low, middle, and high-income countries, the actual contraceptive use varies in different regions of the world. The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of contraception and describes all choices regarding family planning as human rights. Subsidized products, particularly condoms and oral contraceptives, may be provided to increase accessibility for low-income people. Measures taken to provide contraceptive security may include strengthening contraceptive supply chains, forming contraceptive security committees, product quality assurance, promoting supportive policy environments, and examining financing options.
Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unintended pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in the 20th century. Planning, making available, and using human birth control is called family planning. Some cultures limit or discourage access to birth control because they consider it to be morally, religiously, or politically undesirable.
Ulipristal acetate, sold under the brand name Ella among others, is a medication used for emergency contraception and uterine fibroids. As emergency contraception it should be used within 120 hours of vaginally penetrating intercourse. For fibroids it may be taken for up to six months. It is taken by mouth.
An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as intrauterine contraceptive device or coil, is a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting reversible birth control (LARC). One study found that female family planning providers choose LARC methods more often (41.7%) than the general public (12.1%). Among birth control methods, IUDs, along with other contraceptive implants, result in the greatest satisfaction among users.
Birth control in the United States is available in many forms. Some of the forms available at drugstores and some retail stores are male condoms, female condoms, sponges, spermicides, and over-the-counter emergency contraception. Forms available at pharmacies with a doctor's prescription or at doctor's offices are oral contraceptive pills, patches, vaginal rings, diaphragms, shots/injections, cervical caps, implantable rods, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Sterilization procedures, including tubal ligations and vasectomies, are also performed.
Reproductive coercion is a collection of behaviors that interfere with decision-making related to reproductive health. These behaviors are meant to maintain power and control related to reproductive health by a current, former, or hopeful intimate or romantic partner, but they can also be perpetrated by parents or in-laws. Coercive behaviors infringe on individuals' reproductive rights and reduce their reproductive autonomy.
A medical abortion, also known as medication abortion or non-surgical abortion, occurs when drugs (medication) are used to bring about an abortion. Medical abortions are an alternative to surgical abortions such as vacuum aspiration or dilation and curettage. Medical abortions are more common than surgical abortions in most places around the world.
Combined birth control pills that contain natural estradiol or an estradiol ester include:
Combined hormonal contraception (CHC), or combined birth control, is a form of hormonal contraception which combines both an estrogen and a progestogen in varying formulations.
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