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Tehran: Difference between revisions
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Iran, you can purchase various forms of birth control at pharmacies without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> You can also purchase condoms at supermarkets without a prescription. However, some women feel uncomfortable purchasing contraceptives, such as condoms or birth control pills, in their local pharmacies or supermarkets, where they may be observed by neighbors or family members, | In Iran, you can purchase various forms of birth control at pharmacies without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> You can also purchase condoms at supermarkets without a prescription. However, some women feel uncomfortable purchasing contraceptives, such as condoms or birth control pills, in their local pharmacies or supermarkets, where they may be observed by neighbors or family members. Furthermore, pharmacists are known to sometimes question locals, asking why they are purchasing contraception and if they married.<ref>[Information provided by local sources, December 2017]</ref> This type of questioning is done to both men and women, but women receive a greater amount of stigmatization and shaming, according to locals. For this reason, local women may they travel to other neighborhoods to purchase contraceptives.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mDfKDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA171&lpg=PA171&dq=buying+birth+control+iran&source=bl&ots=EdQpYSS7Zj&sig=iWR7BqcVKhpGIiTuoezL11Fgbf0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBsq6e-ZbYAhWEiFQKHWRxDfA4ChDoAQgrMAE#v=onepage&q=buying%20birth%20control%20iran&f=false Contemporary Iran: Economy, Society, Politics]</ref> | ||
According to a 2015 report, 76.6% of Iranian women (who are of reproductive age and married/in unions) use some form of contraception. The most common forms of contraception are withdrawal/"the pull out method" (16.9%), birth control pills (15.6%), female sterilization (14.8%), male condoms (13.7%) and IUDs (8.4%). Overall, it is estimated that 6.5% of Iranian women (who are of reproductive age and married/in unions) have unmet family planning needs, a rate that is lower than many Western European countries.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> | |||
From a historical perspective, Iran has frequently changed its family planning policies. In the 1960s, Iran recognized that it was experiencing rapid population growth, and national family planning policies were introduced. Yet, following the Iranian Revolution (1979), the newly formed Iranian government, under Ayatollah Khomeini, focused on a traditional, pro-natalist approach. Family planning clinics were closed down, birth control policy was suspended and abortion was re-criminalized.<ref>[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/583de01e29687f52b5487598/t/59a647219f8dcef77913d3eb/1504069410527/Aloosh+and+Saghai+2016+Birth+Control+Policies+in+Iran.pdf Birth control policies in Iran: a public health and ethics perspective - Mehdi Aloosh, Yashar Saghai]</ref> | From a historical perspective, Iran has frequently changed its family planning policies. In the 1960s, Iran recognized that it was experiencing rapid population growth, and national family planning policies were introduced. Yet, following the Iranian Revolution (1979), the newly formed Iranian government, under Ayatollah Khomeini, focused on a traditional, pro-natalist approach. Family planning clinics were closed down, birth control policy was suspended and abortion was re-criminalized.<ref>[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/583de01e29687f52b5487598/t/59a647219f8dcef77913d3eb/1504069410527/Aloosh+and+Saghai+2016+Birth+Control+Policies+in+Iran.pdf Birth control policies in Iran: a public health and ethics perspective - Mehdi Aloosh, Yashar Saghai]</ref> | ||
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* If you want '''condoms''', you can buy them in drug stores and supermarkets in Iranian cities, according to official reports<ref>[http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60596-7/fulltext Population control policies in Iran]</ref> and local sources.<ref>[https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293998-i9139-k10311367-Condoms_or_contraceptives_in_bag_on_arrival-Iran.html Iran Forum: Condoms or contraceptives in bag on arrival?]</ref> Some of the brands you can expect to see are Kapoot, Good Life and Nach.<ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> You can also find special condom brands, like Fiesta, which are manufactured locally in Iran, come in nine different flavors/types and were launched by DKT Iran (an NGO).<ref>[https://www.dktinternational.org/country-programs/iran/ DKT International: Iran]</ref> In the past, Iran even launched condom vending machines in Tehran, which were meant to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, but they were later considered to be promoting "immoral acts" and were removed.<ref>[https://iranwire.com/en/features/1278 Iranians in the Dark as AIDS Cases Rise]</ref> | * If you want '''condoms''', you can buy them in drug stores and supermarkets in Iranian cities, according to official reports<ref>[http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60596-7/fulltext Population control policies in Iran]</ref> and local sources.<ref>[https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293998-i9139-k10311367-Condoms_or_contraceptives_in_bag_on_arrival-Iran.html Iran Forum: Condoms or contraceptives in bag on arrival?]</ref> Some of the brands you can expect to see are Kapoot, Good Life and Nach.<ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> You can also find special condom brands, like Fiesta, which are manufactured locally in Iran, come in nine different flavors/types and were launched by DKT Iran (an NGO).<ref>[https://www.dktinternational.org/country-programs/iran/ DKT International: Iran]</ref> In the past, Iran even launched condom vending machines in Tehran, which were meant to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, but they were later considered to be promoting "immoral acts" and were removed.<ref>[https://iranwire.com/en/features/1278 Iranians in the Dark as AIDS Cases Rise]</ref> | ||
* If you want '''birth control pills''', you can find | * If you want '''birth control pills''', you can easily find them in pharmacies. Typically, Iranian, German and Dutch brands are sold, such as Aboreihan or Abidi (produced by Iranian companies), Lynestrenol (produced by Organon, a Dutch company) or Yasmin and Yaz (produced by Bayer, a German company).<ref>[Information provided by local sources, December 2017]</ref> | ||
* If you want an '''IUD''', you can find a variety of options in Iran, both locally-produced and from international manufacturers. For example, you may find the Pregna brand, which is a locally-produced IUDs | * If you want an '''IUD''', you can find a variety of options in Iran, both locally-produced and from international manufacturers. For example, you may find the Pregna brand, which is a locally-produced IUDs that was launched launched by DKT Iran (an NGO).<ref>[https://www.dktinternational.org/country-programs/iran/ DKT International: Iran]</ref> Furthermore, you may find internationally recognized IUD brands like Mirena.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163262/ Iranian Study: Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD versus copper IUD in control of dysmenorrhea, satisfaction and quality of life in women using IUD]</ref> | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* For a pack of birth control pills, you can expect to pay around 260,000 IRR | * For a pack of birth control pills, you can expect to pay around 260,000 IRR-350,000 IRR.<ref>[Information provided by local sources, December 2017]</ref> While some articles may claim that the Iranian government subsidizes birth control pills, locals have confirmed that this not the case, as of December 2017. | ||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Iran, emergency contraception (morning after pill) is available without a prescription.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/iran/ EC Status and Availability: Iran]</ref> | In Iran, emergency contraception (morning after pill) is available without a prescription at pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/iran/ EC Status and Availability: Iran]</ref> Some people may feel judged by the pharmacists or uncomfortable when purchasing emergency contraception. For this reason, while emergency contraception is technically available, it may not be sought out by all women, or some women may choose to purchase emergency contraception outside of their neighborhoods where they can find more anonymity and privacy. | ||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* In Iran, you can purchase emergency contraception (morning after pill) without a prescription at pharmacies. You'll find that the brands being sold are typically produced by Iranian pharmaceutical companies. The most common brands are Longil and Ovocease. | * In Iran, you can purchase emergency contraception (morning after pill) without a prescription at pharmacies. You'll find that the brands being sold are typically produced by Iranian pharmaceutical companies. The most common brands are Longil and Ovocease.<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Testing Facilities=== | ===Testing Facilities=== | ||
* Tip from a local: "You have to go to a doctor, which we call a 'women's doctor,' to give you a prescription for STD tests. And, of course, they are not free but pretty expensive."<ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> | |||
* You should be able to find HIV and some other STI tests in most blood/urine testing labs in Iran.<ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> | * You should be able to find HIV and some other STI tests in most blood/urine testing labs in Iran.<ref>[Conversation with Tehran Local, December 2017]</ref> | ||