Doha

Qatar / Doha

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 Qatar, you can purchase birth control pills over-the-counter (no prescription is required) at pharmacies. You don't need a marriage certificate and there are no age restrictions. Condoms are also available at stores.

Many people in Qatar get married at a young age (for example, 18 years old). For this reason, pharmacists can't assume that young people who are buying birth control are unmarried. There have been some cases of pharmacists who refused to sell birth control to very young-looking people, but from a legal perspective, there are actually no age restrictions.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can purchase birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. Some brands you can expect to see are Yasmin, Diane, Gynera, Cilest, Gracial, Marvelan and Cerazette.
• You can purchase condoms in supermarkets and pharmacies. While some stores only carry Durex condoms, other pharmacies have a wider selection (especially on Al Merqab St), selling brands like Masculan, Sico, Coral and Moods.
• From Ola Diab: "There are at least three pharmacies in Al Merqab St. that sell contraceptives without restrictions and condoms are even sold in supermarkets on the street like Family Food Center. This is not only common in Al Merqab St. pharmacies in Al Merqab St. but also in pharmacies and supermarkets in other areas in Qatar."

Costs

The price of birth control pills is set by the Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Department. In 2010, prices ranged from QR 20 to QR 40 for a one-month supply.

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 Qatar, there are no dedicated emergency contraceptives (morning after pills). However, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement emergency contraception. To do that, please check out the section below ("What to Get & Where to Get It").

What to Get & Where to Get It

If you need emergency contraception (the morning after pill), you can take the following birth control pills, according to the instructions. Remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.

For the following pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:

• Eugynon
• Neogynon
• Nordiol
• Ovral

For the following pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:

• Microgynon-30
• Nordette

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.