Baku

Azerbaijan / Baku

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Azerbaijan, a prescription is required to obtain oral contraceptives (birth control pills). However, condoms can be easily purchased without a prescription.

According to a 2015 UN report, it was found that about 58% of Azerbaijani women (who are of reproductive age, and who are married or in unions) use any form of contraception, including traditional methods, and about 14% of women had unmet family planning needs. The most common contraceptive method was withdrawal, also known as the "pull-out method," which was used by about 30% of women. This was followed by IUDs, which were used by approximately 15% of women, and the rhythm method and condoms, both which was used by about 4% of women. All other contraceptive methods had very low rate of usage, such as birth control pills (about 2% of women) and female sterilization (0.7% of women). There were practically no recorded users of contraceptive injectables or implants.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Azerbaijan, you can purchase emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) without a prescription at pharmacies. You will typically find ECPs for sale behind the counter at pharmacies (not in the shelves), so you will need to directly after the pharmacist for them. The use of ECPs and IUDs as a form of emergency contraception is included in Reproduktiv sağlamlıq / Ailə planlaşdırılması üzrə klinik protokollar, which translates to "National Reproductive Health/Family Planning Clinical Protocol."

However, knowledge of emergency contraceptive pills remains low in Azerbaijan. In 2011, it was estimated that only about 7% of women (ages 15-49) had knowledge of ECPs.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can legally purchase emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is required. Some of the brands you can expect to see Escapelle and Postinor. For updated information on how to take these pills, you can visit the Princeton EC website.
• If you cannot access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control pills. However, a prescription is typically required for birth control pills in Azerbaijan. You can use pills like Ovidon (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later), Microgynon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later) and Rigevidon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). For updated information on how to take these pills, you can visit the Princeton EC website.
• You can also use an intra-urine device (IUD) as a a form of emergency contraception. You should consult with your physician or gynecologist to learn more information.

Costs

• For Postinor pills, you can expect to pay around € 4.79, as of 2015. For Escapelle pills, you can expect to pay around € 5.22, as of 2015.
• The cost of emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) is not covered by social security in Azerbaijan.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Azerbaijan, there are no travel or residency restrictions related to HIV/AIDS. This means that, if you're a foreigner, you will not need to provide a medical certificate or be subject to HIV tests if you choose to enter or reside in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, if you take an HIV test and you test positive, you will not be deported due to your results. You can also carry antiretroviral medication for personal use. However, if you wittingly infect another person with HIV, you can be punished by the law.

Testing Facilities

Support

• UNAIDS - Azerbaijan

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.