Beirut

Lebanon / Beirut

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

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 Lebanon, you can purchase hormonal birth control without a prescription. In 2007, it was estimated that 58% of Lebanese women use some form of contraception. In Beirut, it was estimated that 26% of women use oral contraceptives, 20% use IUDs, 24% use natural family planning (also known as the "fertility awareness method"), 16% use the withdrawal method and 15% use other methods.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you're interested in hormonal birth control, you can purchase birth control pills at pharmacies. Some brands you can expect to find are Microval, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral, Lo-Femenal, Microgynon-30 and Nordette.
• You can also buy condoms in stores and online. There's a Lebanese company, called Yalla Condoms, which lets you buy condoms online, if you don't want to go the store or don't feel comfortable. On their website, Yalla says: "We deliver your ordered condoms and complementary products to all Lebanon. Delivery fee is $5.00 for all orders below $30.00 and free above this amount... Our orders are usually delivered within 48 hours (2 working days). You will receive a confirmation email 24 hours following your order with details of the dispatch... Our Products Protect You, We Protect Your Privacy. We will never sell your email, phone number, or any of your other personal information to any individual or entity outside of our company. Orders are Shipped and Packaged Discreetly."
• IUDs are used by 20% of Beirut women, so you should be able to find IUD services at women's clinics or hospitals. See our "Gynecological Exams" section for a list of recommended gynecologists in Beirut.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

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 Lebanon, you need a prescription to purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill).

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, and it's available in Lebanon. 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.

Below, we have provided information about dedicated emergency contraception. If you cannot purchase emergency contraception, you may also use oral contraceptives as replacement emergency contraception, which we describe how to do below. Information provided by Princeton EC Website.

Dedicated Products / Anti-Progestin Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• ellaOne (you'll need a prescription, since this is dedicated EC)

Dedicated Products / Progestin Only Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• NorLevo 1.5mg (you'll need a prescription, since this is dedicated EC)

Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin Only Take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• Microval (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)

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:

• Neogynon (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)
• Nordiol (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)
• Ovral (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)

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

• Lo-Femenal (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)
• Microgynon-30 (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)
• Nordette (no prescription needed, so this is an oral contraceptive)

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

If you are traveling to Lebanon as a tourist, there are no travel restrictions related to HIV or STI status (i.e. no medical certificate or tests required). However, if you are applying for a work permit in Lebanon, you are required to submit paperwork proving that you are HIV negative (and potentially negative for other STIs as well). If you are found to be HIV+, you will be deported and the recruitment agency will cover the repatriation costs.

While STI tests are available in Lebanon, they are reportedly not very common. There is a common misconception that people who have been abroad or participated in "hek-hek" (so-so) relations should get tested, but that not everyone should get tested. Furthermore, some men are reportedly too "macho" too get tested.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• Marsa Sexual Health Center: Free Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT) for the detection of HIV1/2, Hepatitis B and C using the rapid test. Medical consultations and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) by a specialized Doctor. General STI screening for a subsidized price. "The main objective of the Marsa Sexual Health Center is to provide social, psychological, and medical services in complete confidentiality to all youth, adults and sexually active individuals in Lebanon; regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status and sexual orientation." Address: Myrtom House building, 2nd floor, Near Hagazian University, Clemenceau, Tel.: +9611737647. Email: visitus@marsa.me.
• [www.aubmc.org/ American University of Beirut Medical Center]: They do blood work so should be able to give an HIV test, as well as potentially test for other STIs. Note that this is one of the top private hospitals in Beirut, so it will probably be more expensive. Address: Lebanon, Phone: +961 1 374 374
• Dr. Ismail Clinic: Specializes in STIs. Not sure if he only does treatment or also does tests, but it's worth inquiring to see. Address: Hamra, Cairo Street (facing Costa Café), SGBL building (Masabki-Serhal), 2nd floor+961 1 755911, info@drismaelmaatouk.com

Support

• Marsa Sexual Health Center: Free Psychological counseling for People Living With HIV, Free social counseling and follow-up, Psychosexual counseling and couples therapy, Reiki relaxation sessions. Phone/Fax: +961 1 737647; +961 70 713384 Beirut, Hamra, Clemenceau, next to Haigazian University, Mexico Street, Myrtom House Building, 2nd Floor. Email: info@marsa.me.
• Lebanese AIDS Society: Address: Charles Malek Avenue, Beirut, Telephone: +961 1 217785, Fax: +961 1 218382, Email: jacques.mokhbat@gmail.com
• M-Coalition: Address: Saint Louis street, Yazbeck Center, 6th floor, P.O. BOX: 16 70 43, Achrafieh, Beirut - Lebanon, Telephone: +961 1 566 469 x108,, Email: info@m-coalition.org
• MENAHRA - Middle East & North Africa Harm Reduction Association: "MENAHRA aims to develop harm reduction in the Middle East and North Africa. MENAHRA comprises three sub-regional knowledge hubs responsible for capacity building, training, advocacy and documentation, and a network linking people working in this field." Address: PO Box 55391, Sin El Fil, Beirut, Telephone: +961 1 493211, Email: info@menahra.org
• National AIDS Control Programme: Address: Quarantina, behind Quarantina Hospital, Beirut, Telephone: +9611566100/1, Fax: +961 1 566102, Email: wholeb_nap@inco.com.lb, Web:
• Regional Arab Network Against AIDS (RANAA): "RANAA works to strengthen the role of the civil society in limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the MENA region, including those working with most at risk populations (MARPs), and ensuring the rights of PLHIV to live in dignity and have access to support, treatment & care..." Address: SIN EL FIL 55391 - North Metn, Beirut, Telephone: +961 1 482 428, Email: contact@ranaa.net
• Vivre Positif: "SIDC’s mission is to develop social solidarity by reinforcing healthy behaviour in Lebanon through community empowerment, prevention, harm reduction policies, advocacy, and psychosocial services.The work of SIDC primarily targets the youth and populations that are already affected and/or infected, by anticipating the problems that can mark them and tackling them as needed..." Address: Youssef Karam Street, Daou bldg, 1st floor, 55391 Sin el Fil, Telephone: +961 1 480714, Email: vivrepositif@sidc-lebanon.org

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.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

Here are some recommended gynecologists in Beirut:

• Dr Toufic Nakad (Bellevue Medical Center)
• Dr Mary Chammas (St George's Hospital, or her clinic in Sodeco Square)
• Dr Elie Snaifer (St George's Hospital Achrafieh)
• Dr Antoine Hannoune (American University Beirut Medical Center)
• Dr Layal Abi Zeid (Clinique du Levant, 01501500)
• Dr Zayan Kabalan (01 869 878)
• Dr. Joseph Azoury (mont liban hospital and st.joseph hospital)
• Johnny Rechdan (Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, UMC-Rizk Hospital, Ashrafieh)
• Dr Antoine Germanos (St Joseph Hospital, and he has a clinic in Jdeideh)

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.