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OVERVIEW
In Cambodia, you can purchase contraception (birth control) without a prescription. You can also obtain emergency contraception (the morning after pill) without a prescription at a pharmacy, or at a health center. There are no travel or residency restrictions attached to STD/STI status. You can get tested for STDs/STIs at health care facilities in the city, which we recommend below, and there are some HIV-related NGOs and organizations in the city. There is currently no PrEp program in Cambodia. There is an HPV vaccination pilot program. Regarding menstrual products, you should be able to find pads throughout Cambodia. You can tampons in larger cities, like Phnom Penh, as well as some menstrual cups. Abortion is legal for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
In Cambodia, you can purchase birth control pills without a prescription. In 2015, it was estimated that 57.9% of Cambodian women used some form of contraception, and that 40.4% used modern contraceptive methods. Furthermore, 12.5% of Cambodian women have unmet family planning needs.[1]
During the Khmer Rouge period (1975-79), the Cambodian health care system was destroyed. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge to Vietnamese forces, the government entered a period of Vietnamese control, which showed little progress related to family planning. However, in 1994, Cambodian family planning efforts were finally reinstated with international support. Since 2000, the efforts of the Cambodian government along with non-governmental agencies have helped boost contraceptive usage, ushering in improved reproductive health and lower fertility rates. Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of contraceptive use jumped from 11% to 24%, and the fertility rate dropped from 4.0 to 3.4.[2]
According to a 2010 Guttmacher Institute report, "Despite these gains, shortcomings in family planning service delivery and acceptance in Cambodia remain." Generally speaking, Cambodian women who are older, more educated, living in higher income brackets and living in urban areas are more likely to use contraceptives. Women in rural areas are less likely to use contraceptives. Furthermore, while most Cambodian women report knowing a modern contraceptive method, and while there are many low-cost contraceptive options in Cambodia, they are not always adopted by women. This can be partially attributed to social and cultural influences. It has been found that many women are heavily reliant upon the opinions of their husbands, communities and elders when deciding whether to use contraceptives.[3]
According to one contributor: "Contraception is officially legal in Cambodia. However, there is still a big social stigma regarding women's sexualities. [Depending on the province or region], contraceptives can sometimes hard to find, expensive, and they might not be efficient."
What to Get & Where to Get It
The easiest way to get a contraception is to use condoms. You can buy them at shops, supermarkets, for instance on 7/11 or else. Other contraceptives might be hard to find
Costs
Emergency Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Medication & Vaccines
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Menstruation
Laws & Social Stigmas
Menstruation is still taboo, less betweem women.
What to Get & Where to Get It
You can get sanitary pads at local street markets - around 3000 riels for a pack. Tampons are harder to find, Khmer women barely use them. But you might find some at supermarkets, international shops for tourists and expats.
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
STD Tests
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Pregnancy
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Abortion
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
- Marie Stopes International Center - "We offer state of the art, high-quality, affordable and welcoming sexual and reproductive health services in eight centres across Cambodia." No. 68, Ta Phul Village, Sangkat Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap City, Siem Reap, Tel: 063 963 454, 077 959 174, Email:, centersr@mariestopes.org.kh(http://www.mariestopes.org.kh/our-centres)
Testimonial on Marie Stopes: "I don’t know what I would have done without these guys. They provide a full range of quality reproductive and sexual health services. They provide access to safe abortion services where it’s legal and post abortion care." Source: Teacake Travels, Pregnant: Where to Get an Abortion in Asia