Yangon

Myanmar / Irrawaddy / Yangon

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 Myanmar, you can obtain birth control. According to a 2015 study, 52% of women in Myanmar (who are married or in unions) use some form of contraception. The most common methods are injectables (29.4%), the pill (12.3%), female sterilization (3.8%) and the IUD (2.2%). In 2013, UNFPA reported that one in four women in Myanmar do not have their family planning needs met. However, this number may have improved since 2013.

In 2015, Myanmar introduced a family law that has been criticized as targeting Muslim minorities. According the law, signed by President Thein Sein, Myanmar's state or regional governments can now request a presidential order, which gives local authorities the power to "organize" when women have children (i.e. they can enforce gaps of 36 months between births). This legislation was driven by nationalist Buddhist monks who fear a growing Muslim population. Among the parties that have expressed concern about the bill are the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For information about which contraceptives are available in Myanmar, click here.
• Some of the birth control pills you can expect to see are Marvelon, Marvelon 28 and Microgynon ED, Exluton and Preme.
• If you want contraceptive injectables, you can find Contracep, Depo-Provera, Megestron and Norignon.
• If you want a contraceptive implant, you can find Jadelle.
• We're not sure about which IUDs are available. However, you can probably get an IUD device and insertion procedure at Marie Stopes.

Recommended pharmacies:

• Golden valley Citymart

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 Yangon, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) without a prescription. Technically, you need a prescription to obtain emergency contraception (the morning after pill) in Myanmar. However, this law is not universally enforced and pharmacists don't always ask for prescriptions.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Myanmar, you can find EC at pharmacies and social marketing programs (e.g. PSI, DKT, MSI and PSIA). Some of the dedicated emergency contraception you can expect to see is Duet, ECee2, Pill 72, Postinor, Postinor-2 and Pregnon. For these brands, you should take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex.
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use some oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement EC. To do, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take FMP (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can also take Anna, Microgynon or Microgynon 30 ED (for all of these brands, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).
• For more information on EC options in Myanmar, you can visit the Princeton EC website.
• You can also get an IUD, which can prevent a pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Costs

"The price of EC ranges from 593.4 kyats to 2900 kyats ($0.60 - $2.93), as of 2014."

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.