Lusaka

Zambia / Lusaka

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 Zambia, you can purchase oral contraceptives (birth control pills) over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is needed.

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 Zambia, it appears that you can only access emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) with a prescription. However, the usage of ECPs is extremely low. In 2007, it was reported that only 0.5% of women had ever used ECPs and 9.3% had knowledge of them. However, in the years since this data was collected, the rate of usage and knowledge may have increased.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Zambia, you can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at public sector clinics, pharmacies and NGOS/programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF). You need a prescription to obtain emergency contraceptive pills. Some of the brands you can expect to find are Lenor 72, Pregnon and Revoke 72. These brands are produced by Indian pharmaceutical companies and are imported into Zambia.
• If you cannot access dedicated emergency contraceptive pills, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement ECPS. To do this, you can take progestin-only pills, like Microlut or Microval (for these pills, you take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex), or you can take combined progestin-estrogen pills, like Eugynon, Neogynon or Ovral (for these pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later), or Lo-Femenal, Microgynon-30 or Nordette (for these pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). For combined pills, remember that in in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.

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.