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Sofia: Difference between revisions
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Bulgaria, you technically need a prescription to obtain birth control pills and most forms of contraception.<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, according to online sources, some pharmacies sell birth control pills over-the-counter.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/bulgaria/comments/2b9dfj/getting_birth_control_pills_in_bulgaria/ Getting birth control pills in Bulgaria?]</ref> <ref>[http://www.mybulgaria.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32750 Contraceptive pill]</ref> | In Bulgaria, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at markets, pharmacies, kiosks, and online vendors. You technically need a prescription to obtain birth control pills and most forms of contraception.<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, according to online sources, some pharmacies sell birth control pills over-the-counter, particularly if you have a box (including an empty box) of the birth control pill brand that you use on hand.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/bulgaria/comments/2b9dfj/getting_birth_control_pills_in_bulgaria/ Getting birth control pills in Bulgaria?]</ref> <ref>[http://www.mybulgaria.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32750 Contraceptive pill]</ref> According to one pharmacist in Sofia (November 2018): "If a woman asks for some of these pills, she needs to show a prescription, but if she comes from another country, or if she forgot the prescription and brings the package of the pills she's tasking, I am sure the pharmacist will give her the pills." | ||
Generally speaking, condoms are the most commonly used form of contraception. It was estimated in 2015 that 67% of Bulgarian women (who were married/in unions and of reproductive age) used any form of contraception, including traditional methods, which was slightly lower than the Eastern European average (about 69% of women). Furthermore, about 13.5% of women had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Eastern European average (about 10%). The most common forms of contraception was male condoms, which were used by 26.5% of women. Many women chose to use withdrawal, also known as the "pull-out method," as their main form of contraception (about 18% of women). This was followed by IUDs (about 11% of women) and birth control pills (about 7% of women). There were rather low rates of usage for all other forms of contraception, including female sterilization (2.5% of women), the rhythm method (about 1% of women), male sterilization (less than 1% of women), and female barrier methods (less than 1% of women). There were practically no women who were found to be using contraceptive injectables (0.0% of women) and contraceptive implants (0.0% of women).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> | Generally speaking, condoms are the most commonly used form of contraception. It was estimated in 2015 that 67% of Bulgarian women (who were married/in unions and of reproductive age) used any form of contraception, including traditional methods, which was slightly lower than the Eastern European average (about 69% of women). Furthermore, about 13.5% of women had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Eastern European average (about 10%). The most common forms of contraception was male condoms, which were used by 26.5% of women. Many women chose to use withdrawal, also known as the "pull-out method," as their main form of contraception (about 18% of women). This was followed by IUDs (about 11% of women) and birth control pills (about 7% of women). There were rather low rates of usage for all other forms of contraception, including female sterilization (2.5% of women), the rhythm method (about 1% of women), male sterilization (less than 1% of women), and female barrier methods (less than 1% of women). There were practically no women who were found to be using contraceptive injectables (0.0% of women) and contraceptive implants (0.0% of women).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* In Bulgaria, you can easily purchase '''condoms''' without a prescription at supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, and various stores. They are generally easy to find and you shouldn't encounter significant stigma or if you buy them. For Bulgarian women, condoms are the most common form of contraception. | * In Bulgaria, you can easily purchase '''condoms''' without a prescription at supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, and various stores. They are generally easy to find and you shouldn't encounter significant stigma or if you buy them. You'll be able to find international brands, such as Durex, and Bulgarian brands, which tend to be cheaper. For Bulgarian women, condoms are the most common form of contraception. | ||
* You can find '''birth control pills''' at pharmacies. From a legal perspective, a prescription may be required to purchase birth control pills, but some pharmacies may sell pills over-the-counter, according to multiple online sources. | * You can find '''birth control pills''' at pharmacies. From a legal perspective, a prescription may be required to purchase birth control pills, but some pharmacies may sell pills over-the-counter, according to multiple online sources, especially if you are foreigner or have a box of the pills you commonly use. Some of the brands that you can expect to see are Jasmin (Bayer), Logest (Bayer), Lindinette 30 (Gedeon Richter), Miligest (Gedeon Richter), Belara (Gedeon Richter), and Jazz (Bayer), among other brands. | ||
* You can find '''intra-uterine devices (IUDs)''' in Bulgaria. To learn more about the insertion procedures, brands available, or prices, you should contact a local gynecologist or clinic. | * You can find '''intra-uterine devices (IUDs)''' in Bulgaria. To learn more about the insertion procedures, brands available, or prices, you should contact a local gynecologist or clinic. | ||
* Pharmacies all sell contraceptive creams and vaginal tablets, but they are rarely used, according to a pharmacist that we spoke to. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* Here are the quoted prices for '''condoms''' from one Sofia pharmacy (November 2018): Durex - 3 pieces around 2 EUR, Bulgarian brands - 10 cents a piece. | |||
* Here are the quoted prices for '''birth control pills''' from one Sofia pharmacy (November 2018): Jasmin (Bayer) - around 7 EUR, Logest (Bayer) - around 5 EUR, Lindinette 30 (Gedeon Richter) - around 3-4 EUR, Miligest (Gedeon Richter) - 6 EUR, Belara (Gedeon Richter) - 11 EUR, Jazz (Bayer) - 11 EUR | |||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Bulgaria, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are generally available over-the-counter at pharmacies | In Bulgaria, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are generally available over-the-counter at pharmacies, though a pharmacist may first ask for a prescription. Furthermore, for some ECP brands, you can directly view and obtain the pills at pharmacies (i.e. they can be found on pharmacy shelves) without specially request the pills from pharmacists. According to one pharmacist in Sofia (November 2018): Emergency contraceptive pills are sold to "...anyone who really needs it. I mean, we are obliged to ask for a prescription, but if the person forgot it, or simply explains that she really needs it, we make exceptions." | ||
There may be restrictions related to age at some pharmacies, but this does not seem to be the case at all pharmacies. According to the European Consortium for Emergency Contraception, people under 16 years old in Bulgaria can purchase UPA morning after pill brands (such as ellaOne) without a prescription. However, minors (under 16 years old) may need a prescription to purchase LNG morning after pills (such as Postinor-Duo or Escapelle) from pharmacies.<ref>[http://www.ec-ec.org/emergency-contraception-in-europe/country-by-country-information-2/bulgaria/ ECEC: Bulgaria]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can get the emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill) at pharmacies in Bulgaria. You may be initially asked for a prescription, but you can usually purchase the pills over-the-counter if you do not have one. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Escapelle and Elaine. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* According to one pharmacy in Sofia, they sell Escapelle for 15 EUR and ellaOne for 18 EUR (prices from November 2018). | |||
==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)== | ==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)== | ||