Phnom Penh

Cambodia / Phnom Penh

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 Cambodia, you can purchase birth control pills without a prescription. In 2015, is estimated that 57.9% of Cambodian women use some form of contraception, and that 40.4% use modern contraceptive methods. Furthermore, 12.5% of Cambodian women have unmet family planning needs.

During the Khmer Rouge period (1975-79), the Cambodian health care system was destroyed. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge to Vietnamese forces, the government entered a period of Vietnamese control, which showed little progress related to family planning. However, in 1994, Cambodian family planning efforts were finally reinstated with international support. These efforts faced large hurdles, particularly those related to poor infrastructure, so nationwide adoption of contraceptive use was low. Meanwhile, fertility rates remained rather high along with maternal mortality. Since 2000, the efforts of the Cambodian government along with non-governmental agencies have helped boost contraceptive usage, ushering in improved reproductive health and lower fertility rates. Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of contraceptive use jumped from 11% to 24%, and the fertility rate dropped from 4.0 to 3.4.

According to a 2010 Guttmacher Institute report, "Despite these gains, shortcomings in family planning service delivery and acceptance in Cambodia remain." Furthermore, Cambodian women's contraceptive choices widely varied. Generally speaking, Cambodian women who were older, more educated, living in higher income brackets and living in urban areas were more likely to use contraceptives. The study continues: "Although more than 98% of Cambodian women report knowing a modern method of contraception and most report that such methods are affordable,6 availability of contraceptives remains inadequate. In Cambodia, modern methods are low-priced and are distributed through numerous outlets, such as pharmacies, markets and both private and public health clinics; however, availability of methods can be irregular, particularly in rural areas. Even so, other social and individual elements may be playing a more substantial role than availability in inhibiting contraceptive use." It was found that many women heavily reliant upon the opinions of their husbands, communities and elders when deciding whether to use contraceptives.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you want birth control pills, you can purchase them at pharmacies without a prescription. Some of the brands you can expect to see are FMP, Anna and Microgynon ED. One of the most common brands is called OK. It's been reported that some wealthier locals don't feel that they can trust OK pills because they're cheap. But, according to the Phnom Penh Post, "The pills and condoms are heavily subsidised and quality-controlled by Population Services International, a global health NGO, who target the OK brand at poor women. According to Watson the OK pill is the same as a very popular pill called Microgynan, currently prescribed to 70 percent of women in the UK."
• You can also get condoms, birth control pills (OK, Diane an Yasmin) at Marie Stopes.
• For birth control vaginal rings, you can find them at Anna Women's-Baby Center.
• For IUD insertion, you can get it done at Anna Women's-Baby Center or at Marie Stopes for 30,000 riels. Marie Stopes also does IUD removal for 20,000 riels.
• For the birth control implant, you can get it done at Marie Stopes, which provides the 3-year Impanon implant for 120,000 riels. They also do removal for 20,000 riels.
• For the birth control shot, you can get it done at Anna Women's-Baby Center or Marie Stopes. For Cambodian nationals, they can get the shot at Marie Stopes for 6,000 riels.
• For the birth control patch, you can find it at Anna Women's-Baby Center.
• Marie Stopes offers voluntary surgical contraception permanent methods of tubal ligation and vasectomy services.

Tips about pharmacies: Look for the green cross to find a pharmacy. The better pharmacies will have air-con and English-speaking staff. One of the most reliable pharmacy chains in the city is U-Care. Naga Clinic also has a nice pharmacy. Be careful to go to a trusted pharmacy. Some of the pharmacies in Phnom Penh sell expired or fake medicine. So be sure to only buy medication that is clearly brands, doesn't look damaged or blistered, and hasn't expired. Don't buy unmarked tablets or medicine.

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: Sells emergency contraception (the morning after pill) for 20,000 riel.
• Anna Women-Baby's Center: "Women-Baby’s Center offers the “Morning After Pill” for those who need emergency contraception. We recommend going through our family planning counseling for fertility awareness and for learning how to practice safe sex." Schedule your family planning appointment today by dialing 098 800 921. Email: info@wbcanna.com

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: "Tests for syphilis is 8,000 riels ($2), HIV 6,000 riles ($1.50), Hep C 8,000 riels ($2) & Hep B 8,000 riels ($2), VIA (cervical cancer ) 20,000 riels ($5), Cryotherapy treatment 100,000 riels ($25). General Treatment is 8,000 riels ($2) per course.

Support

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: "Counselling and support is offered however it would be difficult to offer this service to non-Cambodian nationals primarily due to language barriers. Whilst there are staff with a good command of English this is not always appropriate for counselling. Although it is case by case and via booking through email we would endeavor to find an appropriate solution. Family planning and abortion counselling is free and part of any service."

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

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: Performs gynecological exams for 10,000 riels ($2.50, as of 2016) for Cambodian nationals.
• International SOS Medical Clinic: This clinic is popular with expats and tends to be better quality. It's also more expensive. Consultations start at $80. Western and Khmer doctors. 24-Hour emergency care available. Services available in English, French, Japanese and Khmer. Address: #161 Street 51. T: (023) 216 911, (012) 816 911. Open weekdays 08:00-17:30, Sat 08:00-12:00
• NAGA Clinic: This is a French-run clinic that is popular with expats. More affordable than International SOS. Consultations start at $35. Open 24 hours. Address: #11 Street 254. T: (023) 211 300, (011) 811 175 (emergency).
• Calmette Hospital: Open 24 hours. This is supposed to be the best Khmer hospital in Phnom Penh. Address: 3 Monivong Rd. T: (023) 426 948
• Tropical and Travellers Medical Clinic: Foreign/expat doctor. Prices are supposed to be between Naga and International SOS. Consultations are $50. Cash only. Address: #88 Street 108, T: (023) 366 802, (012) 898 981. Open Mon-Sat 09:30-11:30, Mon-Fri 14:30-17:00.
• Royal Phnom Penh Hospital: "Royal Phnom Penh Hospital is a member of the very good hospital chain run by Bangkok Hospital. I don't know whose on their ob/gyn staff, but I am sure they'll be fine for anything routine." Address: 888 Russian Blvd 12000, Phnom Penh 12000, Cambodia. Phone: +855 23 991 000.
• Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope: Has a women's health clinic.

Pregnancy

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: Ultrasound $5, plus post natal family planning counseling services, pregnancy tests ($1.25)

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes Cambodia: "Yes we perform safe abortions within the parameters of Cambodian law – as detailed in the factsheet. We offer two procedures – Medical abortion (up to 9 weeks) usually with Mariprist or Medabon. This is 100,000 riels ($25) and Surgical Abortion (9-12 weeks) 130,000 riels ($32.50)."

Advocacy & Counseling

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Women's Resource Center Cambodia: "Women’s Resource Center (WRC) provides women and girls in Cambodia with emotional support, referral services and informal education so they can be empowered to make informed decisions about their lives." Call +855 92 373 693. Email: info@wrccambodia.org.

List of Additional Resources

• RACHA (Reproductive and Child Health Alliance): "RACHA's vision is to be a leading and dynamic NGO which advances the health of the Cambodian people through sustainable, relevant, and responsive community-based health programs." Address: #160 Street 71, Tonle Bassac, Chamkar Mon, P.O.Box 2471, Phnom Pen, Cambodia. Phone: 023 213 724 Phone: 023 726 257. Fax: 023 213 725. Email: office@racha.org.kh.
• CamASEAN Youth's Future: "CamASEAN have mission of combating discrimination against minority diversity people include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ), young girls live with HIV/AIDs, sex workers, drug user, people with disability, widowed/single parent, elderly people, indigenous and other ethnic people in Cambodia and ASEAN through strengthening capacity of as many activists as possible." Email: info@camasean.org
• Rainbow Khmer Portal - The Rainbow Krama: "The Cambodia Center for Human Rights' ("CCHR") Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ("SOGI") project is working to protect and promote human rights for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender ("LGBT") community in Cambodia who are often misunderstood, mistreated, threatened and have their human rights violated."
• Cambodian Center for Human Rights: "We believe that every Cambodian has the right to participate in democracy and to have their fundamental human rights respected. We work towards ensuring that each Cambodian's voice is heard in society."