Montevideo

Uruguay / Montevideo

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 Uruguay, you can purchase birth control pills over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is needed.

In some respects, Uruguay resembles many developed nations regarding family planning. The fertility rate is 1.81 children born per woman (2016) and, according to a 2015 UN report, it's estimated that 77% of Uruguayan women (who are of reproductive age and married/in unions) use some form of birth control. The most common birth control methods were found to be condoms (30.3%), pills (23.5%), IUDs (12.1%) and female sterilization (5.3%). There were very low rates for injectables (0.2%) and practically no users of implants (0%). This same study found that 7.6% of Uruguayan women have unmet family planning needs, but for some populations, the numbers may be higher. According to a 2015 UNFPA report, only 54% of women reported that they had enough autonomy to discuss contraception with their partners, and 65% of adolescent pregnancies are unplanned.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For a comprehensive list of contraceptive options available in Uruguay, click here.
• In Uruguay, you can purchase birth control pills over-the-counter without a prescription. Some of the brands you can expect to see are April, Cilest, Combignor, Diane-35, Diva, Divina 21, Divina 28, Exluton, Femexin, Femiane, Genoderm, Gynera, Harmonet, Linosun, Lo-Femenal, Marvelon, Mercilon, Microgynon, Minesse, Minifem, Minulet, Mirelle, Neolette, Nordette, Qlaira, Secret 28, Yaz, Yasmin and many more.
• If you want an IUD, you can find Mirena in Uruguay.
• If you want a contraceptive shot/injectable, you can find Cyclofem, Cyclofemina, Depo-Provera SAS 150mg/ml and Mesigyna in Uruguay.
• If you want a contraceptive implant, you can find Implanon NXT, which has been available in Uruguay since 2016. For more information about Implanon in Uruguay, click here (article in Spanish).
• If you want a contraceptive patch, you can find Evra in Uruguay.

Costs

One local reported that she paid 380 pesos for a one-month supply of birth control pills (May 2017).

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 Uruguay, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) from a pharmacy. No prescription is required. If you're not a legal adult, you may be required to purchase EC with an adult (this is unverified and needs to be confirmed).

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Uruguay, you can directly purchase EC (the morning after pill) over-the-counter. No prescription is required. Some brands you can expect to see are Evitaren, Imediat N, Postinor-2, Prikul and Secufem. These are all progestin-only pills. You should take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex in order to prevent pregnancy.
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement EC. If you do this, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. See below for instructions:
  • For these pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later: D-Norginor, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral
  • For these pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later: Lo-Femenal, Microgynon, Nordette, Nordette 150/30 and Suginor
  • For these pills, take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later: April, Femexin, Miranova

Costs

You can expect to pay around 158 pesos for the morning after pill (May 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

There are no known travel or residency restrictions related to HIV status in Uruguay. If you're a foreigner, you won't be deported if you test positive for HIV, and you're allowed to carry antiretroviral drugs for personal use. In Uruguay, it is estimated that there are about 10,000 adults (about 0.5% of the population) living with HIV. The most at-risk populations are commercial sex workers, injection drug users and street children, and these groups have about a 5% infection rate. For transgender women who participate in sex work, the HIV infection rate has been estimated to be between 20-30%. To learn more about transgender sex workers in Uruguay and their work to attain welfare benefits, click here. As the HIV infection rate has been on the rise in the last few years, some nonprofits and NGOs are working to help people or children affected by HIV in Uruguay.

Testing Facilities

• Polyclinic Barrio Sur: This is a public facility that provides HIV and syphilis tests. You should contact them in advance to arrange an appointment. Address: Av. Gonzalo Ramírez 1270, between Carlos Quijano and Carlos Viana. . Days and opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telephone: 2908 5036. Email http: // policlinica.barriosur@imm.gub.uy. Coordinator: Ps. Alicia Blanqué.

Support

• UNAIDS Uruguay: Alberto Stella - UNAIDS Country Director. Telephone: + 54 11 4328 4365. Email: STELLAA@UNAIDS.ORG.
• Uruguayan Red Cross: They do work related to HIV, health and development. Address: Avenida 8 de Octubre, 2990, 11600 Montevideo. Contact Information: Tel: (598) (2) 480 21 12. Fax: (598) (2) 480 07 14. Telegram: CRUZ ROJA URUGUAYA MONTEVIDEO. Email: cruzrojauruguaya2016@gmail.com.
• Asociación Trans del Uruguay (ATRU), or Transgender Association of Uruguay: This is an organization that helps trans people and people affected by HIV. Tel: +598 2411 1335. Email: atru2006@yahoo.com.ar
• Caritas Uruguay: "Since 1987, Caritas Internationalis has taken a lead role in promoting just and compassionate care to people living with, or affected by the virus." This is a social justice organization affiliated with Uruguayan Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic Church. Postal Address: Calle Soriano 1461, esquina Barrios Amorín, Montevideo, Uruguay. Telephone: +598 2419 4314. Fax: +598 2419 4605. Email: direccion@caritasuruguaya.org.uy.

Costs

Uruguay has a public health system that provides free HIV tests. If you're not covered under the Uruguayan health care system, you may need to pay.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you have a yeast infection ("infección por levaduras" in Spanish), you can ask the pharmacist for Fluconazole, which is antifungal medication. They'll be able to give you Fluconazole or something similar.
• If you have a urinary tract infection ("infecciones de las vías urinarias" in Spanish), you can contact a doctor/pharmacist to find out next steps.
• In Uruguay, you can get an HPV vaccine. There is also a nationwide vaccination program, which was established in 2013 and targets 12 year old girls.
• There is no official PrEP program in Uruguay, as of May 2017.

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

• You can find pads, pantyliners and tampons in many pharmacies and supermarkets.
• If you want reusable, ecological menstrual pads/pantyliners, here are some Uruguayan indie brands to check out: Ara Toallitas Femeninas ,

Paños de Luna , Tienda de Luna , Roallitas de Tela , etc.

• If you want to buy a menstrual cup in Uruguay, check out this map (scroll down the page to see it) of menstrual cup sellers in Uruguay. Also, here are some menstrual cup sellers:
  • You can buy Maggacup from Silvana (contact: unaluna.925@gmail.com, 091 061 562).
  • Eco Ser: They sell MoonCup UK and also provide educational resources related to menstruation.
  • Copa Menstrual, Naturcup Uruguay: They sell Naturcup to customers in Uruguay for 1400 pesos (as of May 2017). Call +598 99 256 208. Email: naturcup.uruguay@gmail.com. Facebook: @copamenstrual.naturcup.uy
  • Biovea Uruguay: They sell DivaCup on the website for the Uruguay market.
  • Aqua Vitae Homeopatia: They supposedly sell MoonCup UK. We're waiting for confirmation on this.
  • Tienda de Luna: They may sell FemmeCup (since they have info about the cup on their website).

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Hospital Britanico (The British Hospital): This is a private hospital that provides a higher quality of care. Dr Nancy Murillo and Dr. Alves have been recommended by locals. Address: Av Italia 2420, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay. Phone: +598 2487 1020.

Pregnancy

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 Uruguay, abortion is legal during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. In order to legally obtain an abortion, the pregnant woman must first complete a five-day reflection period.

Advocacy & Counseling

List of Additional Resources

• Iniciativas Sanitarias: "Iniciativas Sanitarias is a leading coalition of sexual and reproductive health professionals whose work advances sexual and reproductive health and rights as a basic human right for women and men in Uruguay." P: 598 2708 2549. E: info@iniciativas.org.uy.
• Asociación Trans del Uruguay (ATRU), or Transgender Association of Uruguay: This is an organization that helps trans people and people affected by HIV. Tel: +598 2411 1335. Email: atru2006@yahoo.com.ar