Mexico City

Mexico / Central Mexico / Mexico City

OVERVIEW

Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

You can obtain birth control over the counter (no prescription) needed in Mexico. However, oral contraceptives are not the most popular form of contraception in Mexico. It is estimated that 70%-78% of women of fertility age in Mexico use some form of modern contraception with sterilization being the most common, followed by IUD and then oral contraceptives. In rural areas, it is estimated that 44% of Mexican women use some form of modern birth control.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can find oral contraception in most pharmacies. In Mexico, people say that there is a "farmacia" on almost every corner. Some recommended pharmacies include Benavides (though it is a bit expensive) or Jessica's (which is less expensive).

Condoms can also be found in most pharmacies.

Emergency Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

Emergency contraception is available without a prescription, and there is no age restriction.

What to Get & Where to Get It

There are many emergency contraception pills available at Mexican pharmacies. For dedicated EC pills (take one pill within 120 hours), you can buy Ladiades 1.5, Postinor-2 Unidosis or Silogin 1.5mg. There are also other dedicated EC pills in which you take 2 in 120 hours, which include Alterna, Dreams, Glanique, Ladiades 0.75, Opportuna, PostDay, Postinor-2, Silogin 0.75mg and Vika. There are also many oral contraceptives available that women have used in place of birth control pills, such as Eugynon CD, Neogynon, Neogynon CD, Nordiol and Ovral (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). As an another alternative, there's Lorsax, Microgynon-30, Mithuri, Nordet, Nordette and Rigevidon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). There's also Femexin (take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later).

Medication & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

For yeast infections ("infección vaginal por levaduras" in Spanish), you can buy Alfumet, Afungil or Dofi, which are all versions of Fluconazole, at local pharmacies. No prescription is needed. The HPV vaccine is available in Mexico, and in 2011 the government issued a nationwide program to vaccinate all 9 year old girls. There is no currently no PreP in Mexico. However, for people with HIV/AIDS, if they cannot pay for their care, the Mexican government provides complete access to antiretroviral therapy. For those who can pay for their care, there are specialist centers, organizations and other options.

For treatment of gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis, you'll need to first visit a doctor.

Menstruation

What to Get & Where to Get It

While pads are easier to find, you should be able to find tampons at most major supermarkets (with and without applicators). It's supposed to be more difficult to "Super Plus" tampons, but they may be available at Mega supermarkets. There are no local sellers of DivaCup or Mooncup, so those products should be purchased online.

STD Tests

Laws & Social Stigmas

Before couples get married in Mexico, they are required to be tested for STDs. If an STD is found, the partner must sign a waiver saying that they are aware that their partner has an STD.

Abortion

Laws & Social Stigmas

Abortion law in Mexico City is the most liberal in all of Mexico. In Mexico City, you can get an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (i.e. first trimester). However, in all other 31 states of Mexico, abortion is only permitted for rape victims. Some states also allow abortion in cases of genetic malformation of the baby, but exact laws vary.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can get Misoprostol (the abortion pill), which is registered as Cytotec, Artrotec and Cyrux. They tend to be expensive but can be found in most pharmacies in Mexico City.

Costs

Misoprostol (28 tabletas): MXN$ 490 (Farmacias similares), Misoprostol (28 tabletas) MXN $ 440 (Farmacias Wal-Mart), Cytotec (28 tabletas) MXN $ 2, 176.50 (Farmacias San Pablo), Cytotec México.com MXN $ 649 - $1249 Compra online, Cytotec (28 pills) 1,420 pesos (Farmacias Benavides, a national chain of pharmacies), Cytotec (28 pills) 1,710.50 pesos (Farmacias Fenix, "discount pharmacies"), Artrotec (10 tabletas) MXN $ 366.0 (Farmacias San Pablo), Artrotec (20 tabletas) MXN $ 657.50 (Farmacias San Pablo) Artrotec (10 pills) $233.00 pesos (Farmacias VH, regional pharmacy), Artrotec (20 pills)$470.00 pesos (Farmacias VH), Mifepristone is available as Zacafemyl in Mexico City. Source: Women on Waves - Mexico Clinics and Associations).

If you live outside Mexico City, Fondo Maria (http://fondomaria.org/) helps women travel to Mexico City in order to get a safe abortion. They provide funds, shelter, clinic escort, and they will help you set up an appointment.