Athens: Difference between revisions

In Greece, birth control is available at pharmacies, clinics or health centers without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth]</ref> However, modern contraceptive methods, like birth control pills, IUDs or injectables, are less commonly used in Greece than in many other Southern European countries. It's been estimated that 68.7% of Greek women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use any form of birth control, including traditional methods, and about 10% of women had unmet family planning needs. By far, the most common contraceptive methods are condoms (33.9%) and withdrawal, also known as the "pull-out method" (21.7%). Meanwhile, there are low usage rate for most other modern contraceptive methods, such as birth control pills (4.8%), IUDs (3.6%), female sterilization (3.6%). There was an estimated 1.1% of women who used the rhythm method. According to 2015 data, there were practically no women who used contraceptive injectables (0.0%) or contraceptive implants (0.0%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref>  

'''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 [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception here] and [http://ec.princeton.edu/info/ecp.html here].

* In Greece, you can access dedicated emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). You can find anti-progestin ECPs, like ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). You can also find progestin-only ECPs, like NorLevo 1.5mg or Postinor 1500 (for bot of these brands, take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> <ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/greece/ International Consortium for Emergency Contraception - Greece]</ref>

* The longest-lasting EC is currently [http://www.ellaone.com/ ellaOne], and it's available in Greece. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.

* If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement ECPs. To do this in Greece, you can take any of the following pills (Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later): Eugynon, Neogynon, Nordiol or Ovral. You can also take any of these following pills (Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later): Microgynon-30, Nordette.<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>

* Copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex.