Maseru

Lesotho / Maseru

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 Lesotho, you can purchase condoms and birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. While you may technically need a prescription for birth control pills, this is not typically enforced, and birth control pills are available over-the-counter. However, for other forms of contraception, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer various family planning methods (short-term and long-term). Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls

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 to prevent pregnancy. 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 Lesotho, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available, but a prescription is required. We still need to confirm whether these laws are commonly followed by pharmacists (if you know, update this page). You can find emergency contraceptive pills at pharmacies or programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. It is estimated that about 32% of women (of reproductive age) in Lesotho have knowledge of emergency contraceptive options, as of 2009-2010.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills), but you may need a prescription (we need to confirm this). One brand you may find at family planning clinics is NorLevo 0.75 mg.
• 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.

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

In Lesotho, there are no known travel or residency restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. This means that you can enter the country, regardless of your HIV status, and you should not be deported if you test positive for HIV while you are in the country.

Testing Facilities

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV. Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls

Support

• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: They offer Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Treatment of opportunistic infections and minor ailments, Physical examination, Screening of reproductive cancers. Maseru Clinic Tel: (+266) 22313645. Email: maseruclinic@lppayrc.org.ls

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Lesotho, abortion law has some grey area. On the one hand, abortion is generally prohibited, except for cases when there is necessity for abortion. On the other hand, there is some disagreement regarding the definition of "necessity." Most experts agree that, if the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant person, this constitutes "necessity." However, it is difficult to definitively say what else falls under necessity.

According to a 2018 CNN report, many women in Lesotho find clandestine abortion providers online, particularly through Facebook.

List of Additional Resources

• Government of Lesotho - Ministry of Health
• Lesotho Planned Parenthood Foundation: "LPPA provides a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health including: family planning, the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), screening for cancers of the reproductive system, the distribution of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives, pregnancy testing, post-abortion care, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and the management of infections. Clients are referred to other centres for CD4 tests and ARV treatment."
• Equaldex - Lesotho: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Lesotho.