Montevideo

Uruguay / Montevideo

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 Uruguay, you can purchase birth control pills over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is needed.

According to a 2015 report, it's estimated that 77% of Uruguayan women (who are of reproductive age and married/in unions) use some form of birth control, and 7.6% have unmet family planning needs. The most common birth control methods were found to be condoms (30.3%), pills (23.5%), IUDs (12.1%) and female sterilization (5.3%). There were very low rates for injectables (0.2%) and practically no users of implants (0%).

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For a comprehensive list of contraceptive options available in Uruguay, click here.
• In Uruguay, you can purchase birth control pills over-the-counter without a prescription. Some of the brands you can expect to see are April, Cilest, Combignor, Diane-35, Diva, Divina 21, Divina 28, Exluton, Femexin, Femiane, Genoderm, Gynera, Harmonet, Linosun, Lo-Femenal, Marvelon, Mercilon, Microgynon, Minesse, Minifem, Minulet, Mirelle, Neolette, Nordette, Qlaira, Secret 28, Yaz, Yasmin and many more.
• If you want an IUD, you can find Mirena in Uruguay.
• If you want a contraceptive shot/injectable, you can find Cyclofem, Cyclofemina, Depo-Provera SAS 150mg/ml and Mesigyna in Uruguay.
• If you want a contraceptive patch, you can find Evra in Uruguay.

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 Uruguay, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) from a pharmacy. No prescription is required. If you're not a legal adult, you may be required to purchase EC with an adult (this is unverified and needs to be confirmed).

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Uruguay, you can directly purchase EC (the morning after pill) over-the-counter. No prescription is required. Some brands you can expect to see are Evitaren, Imediat N, Postinor-2, Prikul and Secufem. These are all progestin-only pills. You should take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex in order to prevent pregnancy.
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement EC. If you do this, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. See below for instructions:
  • For these pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later: D-Norginor, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral
  • For these pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later: Lo-Femenal, Microgynon, Nordette, Nordette 150/30 and Suginor
  • For these pills, take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later: April, Femexin, Miranova

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.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you have a yeast infection ("infección por levaduras" in Spanish), you can ask the pharmacist for Fluconazole, which is antifungal medication. They'll be able to give you Fluconazole or something similar.
• If you have a urinary tract infection ("infecciones de las vías urinarias" in Spanish), you can contact a doctor/pharmacist to find out next steps.
• In Uruguay, you can get an HPV vaccine. There is also a nationwide vaccination program, which was established in 2013 and targets 12 year old girls.
• There is no official PrEP program in Uruguay, as of May 2017.

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

• Hospital Britanico (The British Hospital): This is a private hospital that provides a higher quality of care. Dr Nancy Murillo and Dr. Alves have been recommended by locals. Address: Av Italia 2420, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay. Phone: +598 2487 1020.

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.