Berlin

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Als Deutschlandhauptstadt ist Berlin eine der größten Städte Europa mit vielen hochwertigen medizinischen Versorgungsmöglichkeiten. Die Stadt ist berühmt für ihre sexuelle Offenheit und LSBT Gemeinde. Einige medizinische Versorgungsoptionen sind jedoch komplizierter zu erhalten. Um Empfängnisverhütung sich zu verschaffen, muss man erstens eine Verschreibung bekommen. Seit März 2015 kann man Notfallkontrazeption (die sog. "Pille danach") ohne Verschreibung in Deutschland kaufen. Obwohl Schwangerschaftsabbruch erlaubt ist, gibt es eine gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Beratungsstunde. Manche Frauen haben sich deswegen schuldig, geschämt oder tief unbehaglich gefühlt (mehr dazu unter "Schwangerschaftsabbruch"). Auf der positiven Seite gibt es auch fantastische Krankenhäuser und Ärzte, sowie eine Fülle von auf der LSBT Gemeinde gerichteten Ressourcen. Der Verkehrssystem ist auch hoch effizient.

Kontrazeption (Empfängnisverhütung)

Anmerkung: es gibt eine Reihe von Verhütungsmitteln, wie z.B. Intrauterinpessare (auch Spiralen genannt), Pillen, Verhütungsstäbchen, Hormonpflastern, Kondome, etc. Für eine ausführliche Liste bitte hier klicken.

Gesetze und gesellschaftlicher Makel

In Deutschland braucht man eine Verschreibung, um Verhütungsmitteln wie die Pille, Intrauterinpessare, etc zu bekommen. Eine solche Verschreibung kann man sich bei einem Frauenarzt verschaffen. Ausländische Verschreibungen werden häufig von Apotheke akzeptiert.

Die Mehrheit von Frauen (im gebärfähigen Alter) in Deutschland benutzen eine Form von Kontrazeption. In der neunziger Jahre wurde kalkuliert, dass 74,7% von deutsche Frauen ein Verhütungsmittel benutzten; 58,60% dieser Frauen benutzten eine Pille.

Kondome sind in fast allen Drogerien und Apotheken zu finden.

Was zu nehmen & Wo es zu finden

• Für eine vollständige Liste von in Deutschland verfügbaren Verhütungsmitteln, bitte hier klicken.
• In vielen Orten in Berlin stehen kostenlose Kondome zur Verfügung. Bitte hier clicken, um die Orteliste zu sehen.
• Apotheken sind normalerweise zwinschen 9:00 Uhr und 18:00 Uhr Montags-Freitags geöffnet. Samstags werden Apotheken früher geschlossen (etwa um 12:00). In Deutschland sind mehr als 70 Marken von Pillen auf dem Markt.
• Als Verhütungsstäbchen sind Depo-Clinovir und Noristerat in Deutschland zu finden.
• Als Hormonpflaster ist Implanon in Deutschland zu finden.
• Als Intrauterinpessare ist Mirena in Deutschland zu finden.

Kosten

Minderjährige können Pillen kostenlos oder mit einer 5€ Beteiligung erhalten werden (Stand gem. 2015). Volljährige müssen den gesamten Preis zahlen, der von Firma zur Firma unterschiedlich ist. Beispielweise kostete eine Monat-Dose Desofemine 15€ in 2015.

Notfallkontrazeption (die Pille danach)

Achtung: Notfallkontrazeption kann Schwangerschaft während drei Tagen (72 Stunden) bzw. fünf Tagen (120 Sunden) nach ungeschützter Geschechtsverkehr verhindern. Die Pille danach muss dementsprechend umso schnell wie möglich genommen werden. Falls keine Notfallkontrazeption verfügbar ist, können auch regelmässige Pillen als Ersatz dienen. Zu berücksichtigen ist aber: 1. nur einige Pillen können als Ersatz dienen 2. unterschiedliche Pillen benötigen unterschiedliche Dosierungen und Zeitplänen, um wie die Pille danach zu funktionieren 3. nur die ersten 21 Pillen in 28-Tagen Packungen sind zu benutzen und 4. regelmässige Pillen können weniger wirksam als die Pille danach sein Für generelle Informationen über Notfallkontrazeption, bitte hier clicken.

Gesetze und gesellschaftlicher Makel

In Deutschland kann Notfallkontrazeption (die Pille danach) ohne Verschreibung erhalten werden. Bis März 2015 war eine Verschreibung noch Pflicht. Jetzt ist es möglich, Levonorgestrel und Ulipristal Pillen rezeptfrei zu kaufen. Ab 14 Jahre ist die Zustimmung der Eltern nicht mehr notwendig.

Was zu nehmen & Wo es zu finden

Anmerkung: die anhaltendeste Notfallkontrazeption ist gegenwärtig ellaOne. Sie kann bis 5 Tagen (120 Stunden) nach ungeschützter Geschlechtsverkehr benutzt werden.

You can find emergency contraception in public sector clinics, private clinics, pharmacies and emergency rooms. Some Catholic hospitals may refuse to prescribe or issue EC, but this is not very common. For dedicated EC products, there's ellaOne, an anti-progestin, and you should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. There's also PiDaNa, a progestin, and you also should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. As for contraceptives used as EC, there are a variety of contraceptives in Germany, and instructions for how many to take will vary according to the pills. For more details, visit the Princeton EC website, where you can find all possible combinations accessible in Germany.

Further Reading:

• Interesting Article On Getting EC in Berlin (IndieBerlin, May 2015)

Kosten

LNG: 17€; UPA: 35€ (Stand gem. 2013).

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.

Gesetze und gesellschaftlicher Makel

If you are interested in long-term residency or citizenship in Germany, some regions (for example, Bavaria) require an HIV test before your approval. Furthermore, if an insurance claim is filed in Europe, the test results aren't necessarily protected/confidential. So it is advised to seek anonymous testing, if you would like to keep this information truly private.

There are many STD testing facilities in Berlin, though many of them are exclusively or almost exclusively for MSM (men who have sex with men). For this reason, it is best to confirm that a facility can test you in advance. We have provided a list below of facilities that test women (either all the time or on specific days).

Testing Facilities

• Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning - Locations in Mitte, Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg. This is part of the public health service. Offers HIV testing and counseling for 10 euro (for free if low income); may potentially have tests for other STDs too (not confirmed).
  • Mitte Details: Has Thai and Bulgarian translators on staff. Hours: Monday: 12:00 to 15:00, Tuesday: 15:00 to 18:00, Thursday: 15:00 to 18:00, Friday: 9:00 to 12:00. Contact Information: Gesundheitsamt – Beratungsstelle für sexuelle Gesundheit - Potsdamer Str. 65, 10785 Berlin, Tel.: (030) 263966930. Email: sti-hiv-bera@ba-mitte.berlin.de. More information: https://www.berlin.de/ba-mitte/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/zentren/artikel.248356.en.php
  • Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg Details - Open Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri. Hours: Monday: 13:00 to 16:00, Tuesday: 09:00 to 12:00, Thursday: 13:30 to 17:30, Friday: 09:00 to 12:00. The appointment system is carried out exclusively by phone: Tel .: (030) 90298-8363 . Unfortunately appointments via email are not possible. Address" Urbanstr. 24, 10967 Berlin, Tel . (030) 90298-8363, Fax : (030) 90298-8350. Website: http://www.berlin.de/ba-friedrichshain-kreuzberg/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/fachbereiche/artikel.162503.php/
  • Charlottenburg Details - Open Mon, Tue, Fri 9:00-12:30 and Thur 15:00-18:30, without appointment. Address : Hohenzollerndamm 174-177, 10713 Berlin. Tel: (030) 902916880

• Praxiscityost - Allows drop-ins and appointments; tests for HIV, Hepatitis, fungal and viral infections, and many STDs; Efficient and professional but expensive; some have said the clinic asked for 150 euro for a mere consultation. So contact in advance to get a better sense of prices. Contact: Gubener Straße 37 / 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain / Telefon 030.29 36 39 50 / info@praxiscityost.de. Website: http://www.praxiscityost.de/

• Profamilia Counseling Center, Berlin - Has walk-in hours and appointments, works with low-income people. Address: Beratungsstelle Berlin Road, Kalckreuthstr. 4 , 10777, Berlin, Phone: 030 39849898. Directions: "The counseling center is located in the North Schöneberg in Kalckreuthstraße 4, a small road connecting the Kleist and Motzstraße, exactly between the two underground stations Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz. By bus you can reach us with the lines 119, 146, 185, 187 to the stop Urania." Website: http://www.profamilia.de/angebote-vor-ort/berlin/beratungszentrum.html

• Berliner Aids-Hilfe e.V. - Offers anonymous HIV and syphilis tests. On Tuesdays, they only test for men who have sex with men (MSM), but on Wednesdays, women can be tested if they make an appointment in advance. Hours: Wednesday 14:30 to 18:30. For women and men, only by telephone arrangement. Reservations from Wednesday of the previous week, anonymously at 030/88 56 40-0 (on opening times Mon-Fri from 12:00 ).

• Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health - Does anonymous HIV tests for 20 euro. Postal address: August Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Campus - or Internal address:, Südring 2 - 3 t: +49 30 450 665 728, f: +49 30 450 565 930, https://tropeninstitut.charite.de/ambulanz/hiv_beratung/

• Blood Donation - For a free STD test (usually just HIV, Hepatitis and other blood-based diseases), you can donate blood. Call 0800 11 949 11 for more info.

• MORE INFORMATION: Check out the Berlin Project, which tries to find low-cost STD testing clinics in Berlin for every day of the week. Please note that the Berlin Project primarily serves the gay male community and drug users, mostly focusing on HIV, hepatitis and syphilis testing. But there may be some useful resources for anyone, even if they don't fit into the target demographic.

Support

• Hepatitis Liga Oesterreich e.V.: Pyrkerstr. 14, A 5630, Bad Hofgastein Salzburg

Kosten

All Germans and legal residents are required to have health insurance, so they may be covered through their insurance. For those who are uninsured, STD tests can vary from 200 euro (for consultation to testing and lab results) to 10 euro (for budget options). If you're looking for the cheapest option, go to Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning, which is run by the city and keeps costs low.

Medications & Vaccines

Was zu nehmen & Wo es zu finden

The HPV vaccine was introduced to Germany in 2007. There's no PreP availability in Germany, as of 2015.

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.

Was zu nehmen & Wo es zu finden

You can easily find pads and OB tampons. Tampons with applicators can be found in select shops but it's much more difficult. For DivaCup, visit the Berlin location of Globetrotter (Schloßstraße 78-82, 12165 Berlin, Phone: 030/85 08 92 0, Website: www.globetrotter.de/). You can also buy online on German websites like Biogarten (http://www.biogarten.de/), MEDintim (https://www.medintim.de/), Washbaer (https://www.waschbaer.de/shop/), etc. The Mooncup is sold in Berlin the following locations: Lifelines (Bundesallee 117, 12161 Berlin, e-mail@Lifelines-berlin.de, Telephone: +49 30 85401548), Lebensfluss (Boxhagener Straße 13,10245 Berlin Phone: 030-60982382, www.lebensfluss.de) and Vielfalter (Brunnenstraße 147, 10115 Berlin Phone: 1787 610663). Me Luna Cup is sold in dm Drogeriemarkt all across the city.

Gynecological Exams

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Germany, every woman over the age of 20 is covered (either by private or public insurance) to receive a gynecological exam. These exams include a pap smear, pelvic exam, etc. If you go to a doctor in Germany and ask for an annual exam, they'll know what to do.

What to Get & Where to Get It

In German, "gynecologist" is "Frauenarzt" or "Frauenärztin".

Schwangerschaft

Gesetze und gesellschaftlicher Makel

From InterNations: "It is important to note that ob/gyn care in Germany distinguishes clearly between gynecologists and obstetricians (Geburtshelfer). In case you are going to have a baby, you will have your pre-natal checkups at your usual gynecologist in Germany; but they will only be present during the birth if they happen to work as an obstetrician at your hospital of choice as well" (Source: Women's Health in Germany, Internations).

Schwangerschaftabbruch

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.

Gesetze und gesellschaftlicher Makel

In Germany, abortion is permitted in Germany for the first trimester. But there's one hard restriction: a woman must first seek counseling before getting an abortion. The goal of counseling, according to German law, is to "protect the unborn life. The counseling should encourage the woman to continue the pregnancy, and should help her see the opportunities of bringing up a child." After the counseling, the woman must observe a three-day "consideration period" during which she must decide if she wants the abortion. If she does want the abortion, she can proceed to do so, and the counselor will typically refer her to a clinic or hospital.

Despite these restrictions, abortion in Germany, especially in Berlin, is very common. In the first trimester, legal reasons for an abortion include: to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, fetal impairment, economic or social reasons, and available on request. After the first trimester, abortions can be performed if the woman has mental/health problems or if there is potential risk to the fetus. But this is an exception, not the standard, and a case must be made.

Before German reunification, West and East Germany had very different abortion policies. In East Germany, abortion was legal and common. Under the socialist government, abortion was seen as part of women's socio-economic equality. In West Germany, abortion was only permitted in certain scenarios, such as when there was a serious threat to the woman's life or child's health, or in instances of rape or incest. In some cases, women were allowed abortion due to extreme socio-economic distress, but this determination could not be done by the woman; it was decided upon by a third party. When the country was reunified, a new abortion policy needed to be made to accommodate the country. The compromise between the laws of East Germany and West Germany brought the abortion laws of Germany today.

While Berlin is a generally progressive city, some patients have reported unfriendly treatment at certain facilities. So, as always, it's important to research in advance. There are some Catholic hospitals that refuse to prescribe the abortion pill, even though it is legal, as well. However, Berlin has the most abortions out of any city in Germany each year, and it is reportedly much more tolerant toward abortion than more conservative regions of the country, such as Bavaria.

Was zu nehmen & Wo es zu finden

• ProFamiia Berlin - Can provide the necessary counseling (legally required) before an abortion. Need to confirm if they also provide abortion service or just referrals after the counseling. Details: "Pro Familia is the leading non-governmental service and consumer organization for sexual and reproductive health and rights in Germany. Founded in 1952, it is a charity with a Federal structure. As a founder member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) it is closely linked to international developments and activities in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights." Address: Beratungsstelle Berlin, Kalckreuthstr. 4, 0777 Berlin, Phone: 030 39849898, Email: berlin@profamilia.de. Website: http://www.profamilia.de/index.php?id=909

Kosten

In 2010, the average cost of a medical abortion was 300 euros. The average cost of a surgical abortion is 460 euros.

Advocacy & Counseling