Sofia

Bulgaria / Northwest Bulgaria / Sofia

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 Bulgaria, you need a prescription to birth control pills and most other forms of contraception. However, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at markets, pharmacies, and from online vendors.

In 2015, it was estimated that 67% of Bulgarian women (who were married/in unions and of reproductive age) used any form of contraception, including traditional methods, which was slightly lower than the Eastern European average (about 69% of women). Furthermore, about 13.5% of women had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Eastern European average (about 10%). The most common forms of contraception was, by far, male condoms, which were used by 26.5% of women. Many women chose to use withdrawal, also known as the "pull-out method," as their main form of contraception (about 18% of women). This was followed by IUDs (about 11% of women) and birth control pills (about 7% of women). There were rather low rates of usage for all other forms of contraception, including female sterilization (2.5% of women), the rhythm method (about 1% of women), male sterilization (less than 1% of women), and female barrier methods (less than 1% of women). There were practically no women who were found to be using contraceptive injectables (0.0% of women) and contraceptive implants (0.0% of women).

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 Bulgaria, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is necessary for people over 16 years old. However, for minors, a prescription is typically required. Furthermore, for some ECP brands, you can directly view and obtain the pills without even going through a pharmacist.

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.

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.

List of Additional Resources

• Equaldex Bulgaria: This website provides information on LGBTQ rights and laws in Bulgaria. As of 2018, homosexuality is legal in Bulgaria and it is legal to change gender (but a surgery is required to do so). There are laws against employment or housing discrimination based on sexual-orientation or gender. However, gay marriage is not legal in Bulgaria.
• Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association: "The Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) focuses on advocacy, and on information and education activities for the whole community, but with a particular emphasis on young people. The organization runs comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care clinics in Sofia and other cities. The clinics function as training centres for health personnel and social workers. BFPA is working in close partnership with the government on a project designed to extend these facilities to other parts of the country."
• Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria: "The CRW is a non-profit organization with mission to assist newly recognized refugees in the process of their initial adaptation and integration." Call: +359 87 676 6588. Email: office@crw-bg.org.
• Bulgarian Fund for Women: "Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) is the only indigenous donor in Bulgaria that raises funds and gives grants to local NGOs working to advance women’s and girls’ rights, eliminate gender stereotypes, gender-based violence and discrimination, achieve gender equality in all spheres of life and make a social change." Address: 37B Parchevich Str., Sofia 1000. Phone: +359 2 986 47 10. Email: office@bgfundforwomen.org
• Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation: "The organization works in the field of gender equality, prevention of domestic violence, reproductive rights and anti-discrimination by providing information, elaboration and production of researches, analyses and draft laws, conducting campaigns and lobbying for legislative changes, provision of training and consultations for professionals and working in wide networks in cooperation with other organizations, public institutions and experts." Address: 33 Vasil Levski Blv. 1142 Sofia, Bulgaria. E-mail: office@bgrf.org. Telephone: 02 963 53 57. Fax: 02 963 53 57. Mobile Phone Number: 0878 567 620
• Center of Women's Studies and Policies: "CWSP continues and enhances the work on women's, gender and equal opportunities issues in Bulgaria and further develops new areas of expertise and activities. It implements its own or joint projects with similar domestic or international organizations." Address: Sofia 1000, 38 Tsar Asen street. Phone: ++359 2 981 04 73. E-mail: cwsp@cwsp.bg.