Johannesburg

South Africa / Gauteng / Johannesburg

OVERVIEW

Contraception

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 South Africa, you need a prescription to obtain birth control. It is estimated that 60-65% of married or in-union women are using some form of contraception, and about 18% of South African women use oral contraceptives.

According to a 2013 report from the South African government, "Although almost all women in South Africa know about contraception, most have a limited knowledge of the range of contraceptive methods available. This hampers their ability to make informed choices about methods most suitable for them, as individuals. It may also impact negatively on their uptake of a particular contraceptive method."

In 2014, the South African government revealed a new family planning strategy. Under this new plan, contraception options were expanded, including the introduction of Implanon Nxt (contraceptive implant). The government also sought to increase demand for less popular contraceptives, like IUDs and condoms.

As reported by Bhekisisa: "According to Thompson, 'the central challenge we see women face around contraception is pushback from partners. A great many of the abortion clients we see are survivors of gender-based violence, a struggle that keeps many women from accessing the contraception they may well wish for.' Manyonga says the government's new contraception and fertility planning policy, which was launched earlier this year, is a significant improvement on the previous 2001 policy. It recognises 'power imbalances that make it difficult for some women to negotiate condom use and seeks to make contraceptive services available that will not fuel women's vulnerability to HIV infection'."

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes South Africa: "We have a wide range of contraceptive methods for you to choose from. Whether you’re interested in a monthly option like the pill or patch or a long acting method like an implant or IUD we can help find something that suits your lifestyle. We offer: • Tablets • Injectables • Patches • Implants • IUDs and IUSs “loop” • Emergency contraception If you are starting to use contraception for the first time, or looking into a new method it’s a good idea to make time for a full consultation. Schedule time with one our friendly nurses who can give you a run down of all of your options." Questions or Bookings: 0800 11 77 85

Here are some of the oral contraceptives you can expect to see in South Africa:

Monophasic Low Dose: Minesse®, Mirelle® 15mcg or 60mcg, Femodene ED®, Harmonet®, Melodene®, Minulette® 15-30mcg or 75mcg, Marvelon®, Mercilon® 20-30mcg or 150mcg, Yasmin®, Yaz 20-30mcg or 3mg, Cilest® 35mcg 250mcg, Diane-35®, Ginette®, Minerva®, Diva-35®, Adco-Fem 35®,, Cyprene 35-ED® 35mcg or 2mg,

Triphasic High Dose: Nordiol®, Norinyl-1/28®, Ovral® 50mcg or 250mcg-1mg

Low Dose: Tri-minulet®, Trioden®e, Logynon ED®, Triphasil® 30-40mcg or 50-125mcg, Tricelest® 35mcg or 180-250mcg, Trinovum® 35mcg or 500-1000 mcg

High Dose: Biphasil® 50mcg or 180-250mcg

Emergency Contraception

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

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.