Nairobi

Kenya / Southern Rift Valley / Nairobi

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Kenya, you can buy contraceptives (birth control) without a prescription.

In 2003, it was estimated that 39.3% of Kenyan women were using some form of contraceptive, with 7.5% on hormonal birth control pills, 16% using injectables/implants and 6.3% using the rhythm method, among other methods. Later, in 2008, it was found that 53.6% of Kenyan women used some form of modern birth control.

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Kenya, emergency contraception (morning after pill) is legal. No prescription is required and there are no age restrictions.

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.

Dedicated Products / Progestin Only Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• ECee2
• Emcon
• Levo-72
• Levogest
• P2
• Postinor-2
• Smart Lady (Pregnon)
• Truston-2

Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin Only

• Take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:
• Microlut
• Microval

Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin-Estrogen Combined Note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:

• Eugynon
• Neogynon

Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:

• Lo-Rondal
• Microgynon
• Microgynon-30
• Nordette

Costs

"A small survey of several pharmacies in Nairobi found prices between KSh 100 and Ksh 200, equivalent to $1.15 – 2.30 (July 2013)," according to the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception.

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

In Nairobi, you should be able to access pads, tampons and menstrual cups. You can find pads and tampons (with or without applicators) at major chain stores, such as Nakumatt. Generally speaking, pads will be much easier to find than tampons. You can expect to see brands like Always, Kotex and OB. But remember that, in smaller villages, you won't have such easy access to pads and tampons.

For menstrual cups, you may be able to access MoonCup through Maureen Maina (P.O.Box 18677 - 00500, Nairobi, Kenya , Telephone : +254 720 007738 , e-mail: maureenmaina1@yahoo.com) or Sajni Shah (Telephone : +254 735 061985, e-mail: shahsajni@hotmail.com). You can also get Lunette, another menstrual cup, through The Cup Foundation, which is "a non-profit organization with a mission to educate and empower girls living in challenging environments by giving them life skills training and access to menstrual cups," and they are listed as an official vendor on the Lunette website. However, if you want DivaCup or LadyCup, there are no known sellers in Kenya, so those brands should be bought online.

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.