Prague

Czech Republic / Central Bohemia / Prague

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 the Czech Republic, you need a prescription to obtain birth control. According to a 2015 report, 77.8% of Czech women (who are in unions or marriages) use some form of contraception. The most common forms of contraception were the pill (48.4%), male condoms (11.7%) and withdrawal (6.9%).

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 the Czech Republic, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) without a prescription.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In the Czech Republic, you can purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill) without a prescription at pharmacies. If you would like to purchase anti-progestin EC, there's ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). Currently, ellaOne is considered the most effective EC on the market. Here's the a link to the Czech ellaOne website. You can also find Escapelle (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex) or Postinor-2 (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control pills as replacement EC. To do this, you need o remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can then find Microgynon or Minisiston. For either of these brands, you should take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later.
• You can also get an IUD as a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Check out the "Contraception (Birth Control)" section for details.

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.

Testing Facilities

• Poliklinika Narodni: Tests for around 2500kc."Our laboratory for blood drawing and collecting biological specimens is open every day from 8:30 to 11:00 am. No appointment is needed. Results of most tests are available the same day or next day at the latest."
• Medicentrum: This clinic specializes in STDs and accept people without insurance. Tests for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV I, II, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HPV genotyping.

Costs

If you don't have insurance, you can expect to pay around 2000 CZK for a series of tests.

Medications & Vaccines

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 get menstrual cups from DM or from many pharmacies. Menstrual cups and sponges can also purchased online from Biooo, a Czech online retailer. Some brands, like LadyCup, have a Czech website.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Dr. Bittmanova (in Vinohrady on Manesova - She's been recommended by a Prague local, who said she is "wonderful." She doesn't accept health insurance. For a gynecological exam with a pap smear, you can expect to pay around 1500 kc.
• Dr. Daniela Nelya Ficaj at the Canadian Medical Center tel.: 235360133
• Gynkrup, www.gynkrup.cz
• GYMUNO, spol. s r.o. Centrum specializované lékařské péče, Kischova 1732/5, 140 00 Praha 4 – Nusle. Telefon recepce: +420 222 265 420, Email: recepce@gymuno.cz, Email: recepce1@gymuno.cz
• Zlatko Pastor, GONA s.r.o., soukromé sexuologické centrum, Národní třída 25, +420 724 031 582 (recommended by Lyn Ellis)
• Dr Václav Cmelínsky, Poliklinika 3p Vitezné námesti 9 (Praha 6). Tel 224 311 210 Email cme@centrum.cz. Accepts insurance as well.
• OB/GYN Associates, on Washingtova in Praha 1 -ordinace@obgyn.cz, 222 245 565- always can get appointment within few days and doctors and nurses speak English - receptionist does not, so to make appointment just email them and they answer very quickly
• Dr. Scaravelli (?) at CMC in Chodov is good
• Medicover in Pankrac. She is excellent. "I changed few prior to her and can’t even compare."
• Prague women's health center near Andel, http://www.pwhc.cz/. Email jana.stejskalova@pwhc.cz They give prescriptions for 3-months at a time if you have 1 checkup per year.
• Dr. Alexander at Gest, Prague 5, https://www.gest.cz/kontakt
• Dr Katerina Bittmannova, Mánesova 1525/64, 120 00 Praha 2-Vinohrady, Phone: 222 724 592. Does not take insurance for exams (only for labwork) – pay out of pocket.
• Rehamed prague 4, Nad Malým mýtem 1402/2, 147 00 Praha 4, Phone:244 461 347
• Medicaflora.cz
• Dr. Zemanova Prague 6 Suchdol, http://www.gynelav.cz/?page_id=54
• Eva Bocanova from Mediconet (YMCA building at Namesti Republiky)
• Dr Ales Prokopenko, Hebemed Gynea, Senovážné náměstí 5 Prague 1. Everybody in that clinic speaks english including the receptionist. Dr Prokopenko speaks perfect english, Czech, Russian and German. www.hebemed.cz

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.

Advocacy & Counseling