Riga

Latvia / Riga

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.

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 Latvia, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is required.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, and they are sold over-the-counter. Some brands you may find are Escapelle, Postinor Duo, and Postinor PI.
• 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.

Costs

• You can expect to pay between €15 to € 25 per one pill of emergency contraception at pharmacies, as of 2017. Generally speaking, the cheaper pills tend to be LNG pills, such as Postinor PI, and the more expensive pills are UPA pills, such as ellaOne.
• The cost of emergency contraceptive pills are not covered or reimbursed by social security in Latvia.

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 Latvia, 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.

Support

• UNAIDS Latvia
• AGIHAS (People Living With HIV/AIDS Support Group): Address: 3, Linezera Str., Riga LV-1006. Telephone: +371 29163913. Email: agihas@agihas.lv
• Association HIV.LV: Address: 19 k-8 Str. Gaismas, 201, Kekava, Kekava district, LV 2123. Telephone: +371 26062077. Email: apvieniba@apvienibahiv.lv
• Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia - - Slimību profilakses un kontroles centres: HIV/AIDS Counselling Cabinet - HIV/AIDS konsultāciju kabinets. Address: Klijānu iela 7 (ieeja no mazās Klijānu ielas), Rīga. Telephone: +371 67298080. Email: info@spkc.gov.lv
• DIA+LOGS NGO: Support centre for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Address: Dzirnavu Street 135, Riga, LV-1050. Telephone: +371 67288500. Fax: +371 67243101. Email: dialogs@diacentrs.lv

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 Latvia, abortion is permitted upon request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can read an English translation of the law here.

List of Additional Resources

• Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia
• The Latvian Association for Family Planning & Sexual Health (LAFPSH): "The Latvian Association for Family Planning & Sexual Health (LAFPSH) focuses on information, education and training activities for health personnel and the general public, and sex education for teachers and young people."
• Equaldex - Latvia: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Latvia.