Taipei

Taiwan / Northern Taiwan / Taipei

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 Taiwan, you can obtain birth control without a prescription.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For a complete list of contraceptive options available in Taiwan, click here.
• In Taiwan, you can purchase birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. The pills typically come from major US and German pharmaceutical companies, like Bayer, Merck and Pfizer. Some brands you can expect to see are Diane, Duoluton, Gynera, Logynon, Marvelon, Meliane, Mercilon, Microgynon-30, Minigynon 30, Minulet, Nordette, Ortho Novum 1/50, Trinordiol, Trinovum, Yazmin and Yaz.
• If you want condoms, you can find them in many convenience stores. They can also purchase them online, such as through this company.
• If you want a contraceptive shot/injectable, you can find Depo-Provera SAS 150mg/ml in Taiwan.
• If you want a contraceptive injectable, you can find Norplant in Taiwan.
• If you want an IUD, you can find Mirena in Taiwan.

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

Emergency contraception is available by prescription only in Taiwan. In December 2016, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration announced that they are considering plans to make emergency contraception available at pharmacies without a prescription, but these changes are not in effect yet.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Taiwan, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) at pharmacies with a prescription. You can find ella (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). You can also find Escapelle or NorLevo 1.5mg (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex) or Postinor-2 (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).
• If you cannot access emergency contraception (for example, if you can't get a prescription), you can use regular birth control pills as replacement ECPs. To do this, remember that in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take the following pills:
  • Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later: Duoluton, Neovlar, Nordiol, Primovlar
  • Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later: Minigynon 30, Nordette
  • Take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later: Loette

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

There are no restrictions on HIV-positive travelers to Taiwan. Foreigners applying for work or student visas are subject to a medical exam that includes an HIV test. As of January 2015, Taiwan no longer deports foreigners who are found to be HIV positive.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

"Foreigners who wish to get tested in Taiwan are advised to get an anonymous test performed first. In the case of a positive test result, the government will not be notified and it should not be any problem to leave/re-enter Taiwan."

• STD Clinic Taipei: Anonymous tests with rapid response are possible without any problems. Address: 2F, 100 Kunming Street, Phone: +886 2 2370 3739.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• The HPV vaccine is available in Taiwan. However, it's unclear if the government has an official vaccination program that it subsidizes. As of 2015, it was not yet subsidized by the government. and was available at National Taiwan University, for example, for TWD 2394.
• There is no official PrEP program in Taiwan, but you may still be able to access PrEP.

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.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you want a menstrual cup, there's a new Taiwanese brand called Formoonsa Cup. You can purchase brands like Lunette Cup, Lena Cup, Super Jennie Cup and Lily Cup from LiveLoveLuna, an online retailer that's based out of Singapore and sells products throughout Asia, including Taiwan. You can also buy LadyCup from Artemis Gadget Co., but we don't have any info on them. You can find Lunette at Finnexion Oy (New Taipei City 220).

Gynecological Exams

Pregnancy

Abortion

Laws & Social Stigmas

Abortion has been legal in Taiwan since 1985. Abortion is legal for medical and psychological reasons, rape or incest, "seduction" (which includes but is not limited to statutory rape,) and to prevent psychological issues of a parent from being passed on to a child. Abortion is not a right for all women. Unmarried women under the age of 20 need parent permission to terminate a pregnancy. A married woman of any age need permission from her husband. A woman labeled as mentally handicapped needs permission from her guardian. Although abortion is not available on request in Taiwan, some doctors do not ask for proof that you meet the criteria for abortion. Furthermore, the definition of "seduction" or psychological distress is vague and easily applied to many circumstances.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Ko's Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic - Address: 1F., No.10-1, Linsen S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Phone: 02-33933939 ext.9

Costs

Taiwan's national health insurance does not cover the cost of abortion under any circumstances. A blog post last updated in 2013 lists abortion prices in a private clinic ranging from $6,350 - $8,000 NTD

Advocacy & Counseling

What to Get & Where to Get It

Community Services Center Taipei: Provides English-language emergency support, general help, and sliding-scale counseling for foreigners in Taipei. Main Tel (02) 2836-8134, Emergency line (09) 3259-4587 Address No. 25, Lane 290 Zhong Shan North Rd., Sec. 6 Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C. Email csc@communitycenter.org.tw