Maseru

Lesotho / Maseru

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 Lesotho, you can purchase condoms and birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. While you may technically need a prescription for birth control pills, this is not typically enforced, and birth control pills are available over-the-counter. However, for other forms of contraception, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer various family planning methods (short-term and long-term). Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls

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 to prevent pregnancy. 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 Lesotho, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available, but a prescription is required. We still need to confirm whether these laws are commonly followed by pharmacists (if you know, update this page). You can find emergency contraceptive pills at pharmacies or programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. It is estimated that about 32% of women (of reproductive age) in Lesotho have knowledge of emergency contraceptive options, as of 2009-2010.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills), but you may need a prescription (we need to confirm this). One brand you may find at family planning clinics is NorLevo 0.75 mg.
• 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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Lesotho, there are no known travel or residency restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. This means that you can enter the country, regardless of your HIV status, and you should not be deported if you test positive for HIV while you are in the country.

Testing Facilities

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV. Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls

Support

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Treatment of opportunistic infections and minor ailments, Physical examination, Screening of reproductive cancers. Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls
• Community of Women Living with HIV & AIDS in Lesotho: "CW-Lesotho’s mission is to create awareness of services available to the communities, reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in Lesotho among the adult population and fight stigma and discrimination, coercion and violence towards HIV/AIDS infected women and girls. We are committed to deliver services which improve the quality of life and health of women and girls living with HIV/AIDS." Address: Dolphin House, Motsoene Rd,Industrial Area, Maseru, Lesotho, P.O.Box 13309 Maseru 100. Call: +266 2231 2321. Email: cwlesotho@rocketmail.com
• PSI Lesotho:"Since 2001, PSI/Lesotho has been a leader in high-impact, national-level and community-based HIV testing services programs. PSI began its operations in the Kingdom of Lesotho by launching a condom social marketing program and a network of HIV testing services. These remain a model of efficiency and government partnership, especially with the Ministry of Health. With field expertise that spans community-support, service delivery and social behavior change communication, PSI/Lesotho is an expert at navigating the Lesotho health system, and pushing for the health results that the Basotho community need in order to thrive." Address: PSI/Lesotho, 138 Moshoeshoe Road, Maseru, Lesotho 100. Phone: + 266-2232-6825. Fax: + 266-2231-1200. Email: info@psi.co.ls

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Lesotho, abortion law has some grey area. On the one hand, abortion is generally prohibited, except for cases when there is necessity for abortion. On the other hand, there is some disagreement regarding the definition of "necessity." Most experts agree that, if the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant person, this constitutes "necessity." However, it is difficult to definitively say what else falls under necessity.

According to a 2018 CNN report, many women in Lesotho find clandestine abortion providers online, particularly through Facebook.

List of Additional Resources

• Government of Lesotho - Ministry of Health
• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: "LPPA provides a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health including: family planning, the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), screening for cancers of the reproductive system, the distribution of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives, pregnancy testing, post-abortion care, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and the management of infections. Clients are referred to other centres for CD4 tests and ARV treatment."
• Equaldex - Lesotho: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Lesotho.
• Her Chance to Be Foundation: "Her Chance to Be Foundation is a non-profit organisation that is committed to improving the lives of women and girl children in Lesotho: focusing on health, education, agriculture, women’s rights, livelihood, and technology; prioritising the needs of women and girls whose lives are threatened or confined by poverty, cultural disparities, illiteracy or geographic location; thereby giving them a chance to be free and fulfilled women - a chance to dream, a chance to develop, a chance to make a difference in their own communities." Address: Her Chance to Be Maseru Lesotho. Phone: +266 5024 6830. Skype: Her_Chance_To_Be. Email: info@herchancetobe.org
• MenEngage Lesotho: "MenEngage Lesotho is a network of organisations and associations whose purpose is to engage men and boys in all efforts geared towards the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls. The network intends to facilitate and intensify the involvement of men and boys in advocacy and social mobilisation activities with the ultimate goal of eradicating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a major driver of poor maternal health." Contact Person: Mantsalla Ramakhula – Secretary of the network. Email: Shehivelesotho@yahoo.com. Phone: +26658687993 / +26628313910