Barcelona

Spain / Catalonia / Barcelona

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

Contraception is legal and widely available in Spain. If you would like to buy condoms, they can be found at most supermarkets and pharmacies, and there are even condom-dispensing machines in Spanish cities. However, if you would like hormonal birth control, a prescription is required. You will need to visit a doctor who will conduct a basic assessment and then issue the birth control prescription. Note that, while you legally need a prescription for birth control pills, it appears that some pharmacies may sell them over-the-counter without a prescription. Spanish pharmacies also tend to be rather liberal in dispensing hormonal birth control if you they know you have any prescription, past or present (including a foreign one), if you have a strong rapport with the pharmacist or if you bring an empty box of the birth control that you are seeking out.

What to Get & Where to Get It

If you're looking for hormonal birth control pills, you may come across brands like Dianette, Diane 35, etc. You should also be able to find contraceptive rings (like Nuvaring) at pharmacies. As for pharmacies, you'll be able to find them on almost every corner in Barcelona.

Costs

For a month's supply of birth control pills, you can expect to pay 2.5-5 euro for a box.

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. 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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

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.

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.