Reykjavik

Iceland / Southwest Iceland / Reykjavik

OVERVIEW

Contraception

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 Iceland, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at pharmacies. However, you need a prescription to obtain most other forms of contraception, such as birth control pills, implants, injectables, and IUDs.

Emergency Contraception

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 Iceland, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is required.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, and they are sold over-the-counter. One brand you may find at pharmacies is Postinor 1.5.
• 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.

Costs

One traveler reported that emergency contraception in Iceland cost the equivalent of $18 USD in January 2017.

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 Iceland, 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.

Support

• Göngudeild smitsjúkdómar (ambulant care, free of charge): Doctor in charge: Már Kristjánsson, Sjúkrahús Reykjavíkur, Fossvogi, 108, Reykjavk. Phone: +354 525 1000. Fax: +354 525 1025
• Smitsjúkdómardeild Landspitalans: Doctor in charge: Sigurður B. Þorsteinsson, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Phone: +354 560 1000
• Göngudeild Smitsjúkdómar (ambulant care): Barnaspítali Hringsins (Children department of the National Hospital), Doctors in charge: Gestur Pálsson and Þórolfur Guðnason, Phone: +354 560 1052, Fax: +354 560 1055
• Alnæmissamtökin: This is an organization that provides services/resources related to HIV in Iceland. Mailing Address: P. O. Box 5238, Hverfisgata 69, 101 Reykjavík. Phone: +354 552 8586. Fax: +354 552 0582.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can obtain the HPV vaccination in Iceland. There has been a nationwide vaccination program since 2011.

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 Iceland, abortion has been legally available upon request since 1975. For people who are up to 16 weeks pregnant, they can legally obtain an abortion for any reason, including upon request. For people who are pregnant for more than 16 weeks, they can receive an abortion if the pregnancy threatens their life or health (physical or mental), or if there is severe risk of fetal malformation. There is political interest in Iceland to extend the period of abortion upon request for up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

You can read the details of the 1975 law here.

List of Additional Resources

• Ministry of Health
• The Icelandic Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health's (IcASRH): "The Icelandic Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health's (IcASRH)'s primary focus is on the education of young people in sexual and reproductive health. The Member Association is engaged in delivering sex education lectures and hosting discussion groups in schools and youth centres to raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues and behaviours."
• Equaldex - Iceland: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Iceland.