Shanghai

China / East China / Shanghai

OVERVIEW

Contraception

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

In China, you don't need a prescription to purchase birth control. However, if you do want to consult with a doctor beforehand, you can typically schedule an appointment with a doctor at a Western hospital for 600-700 yuan or with a Chinese doctor for much cheaper.

When you go into a Chinese pharmacy, ask for 避孕药 (pronounced "bì yùn yào"), which translates to "contraceptive pill." You can also say 节制生育 (pronounced "jíe zhì shēng yù"), which means birth control, but it refers to all birth control, including condoms, IUDs, etc. There are four main oral contraceptives in mainland China, all of which are combined pills (contain both estrogen and progestin). According to SmartShanghai, "even if you go to a foreign-operated hospital like United Family or Parkway Health, chances are you won’t find more than these brands at their pharmacies."

Here's the brands:

• Marvelon (mā fù long 妈富隆): 1.5 mg desogestrel + 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol
• Mercilon (měiyì bì, 美意避): 1.5 mg desogestrel + 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol
• Yasmin (yōu sī mín, 优思明): 3mg drospirenone + 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol
• Diane-35 (dá yīng sān shí wŭ, 达英-35): 2mg cyproterone acetate + 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol

If you are interested in getting an IUD in China, here's a personal account of the experience. This woman got her IUD at Xinhua Hospital (insertions are done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1pm, as of September 2014). For additional recommendations for clinics to fit the IUD, check out the "Gynecological Exams" section.

While there are many pharmacies in Shanghai, here are some major and trusted pharmacies:

• Shanghai Huashi Pharmacy 上海华氏药房
• Shanghai Guoda Pharmacy Chain 国大药房
• Shanghai Lianhua Fosun Pharmacy 上海联华复星药房
• Parkway Health: "carries the Big Four over at its pharmacies, but you’ll need to set up a consultation with a doctor before you can buy it there. A pharmacist here explained to me that the pills they carry are manufactured in this country by Bayer (Germany) and Merck (United States)."
• [shanghai.ufh.com.cn/department_city/pharmacy United Family]: "carries them too, though their pharmacist tells us that the versions they have are imported, so they’re a bit more costly: Diane-35 (150rmb), Yasmin (231rmb), Marvelon 63rmb), Mercilon (108rmb) and Postinor (81rmb). They also have a triphasic offering too, locally-made: 左炔诺孕酮炔雌醇(三相)片 —it translates directly as “levonorgestrel ethinylestradiol (three phase)—at 100rmb a box. Again, if you want to get your pills here, then you’ll need a prescription after meeting with one of United’s doctors for a consultation."

Warning: Some pharmacies in Shanghai have reportedly sold fake pills. So, if possible, try to purchase from a larger, well-known pharmacy.

Costs

In 2015, here were the prices for some birth control pills: Diane-35 (69rmb), Yasmin (138rmb), Marvelon (23rmb) and Mercilon (68rmb).

Emergency Contraception

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. 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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

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.

In Chinese, the morning after pill is 避孕药 (pronounced "bìyùn yào"). If you go into a Chinese pharmacy, the pharmacist will probably ask if you want birth control pills for "every day" or "just one time." The "just one time" pills are emergency contraception/morning after pills.

Costs

In 2015, Yu Ting (毓婷 / Yùtíng) was 36rmb and Postinor (左炔诺孕酮 / Zuǒ quē nuò yùn tong) was 49rmb.

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.

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.