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Istanbul
OVERVIEW
As the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul has a wealth of health care resources available. But it can also be complex, often confusing, environment for women's health care. While birth control pills are available in many pharmacies ("eczanes" in Turkish) in the city center, and abortion is legal, it can be difficult to find reliable and responsive treatment. This is due to the conflicting messages surrounding women's sexual and reproductive freedom in the country.
On the one hand, Turkey is constitutionally secular and certain districts of the city, such as Beyoglu and Kadikoy, are famously progressive for Turkey. Furthermore, Istanbul is full of internationally accredited hospitals, making it a hotspot for medical tourism. On the other hand, it is typically considered taboo to discuss many aspects of sexuality, and unmarried women are often expected to remain virgins. This creates a discrepancy between the legal options and the social realities of the city. For this reason, it is especially important to do one's research in advance when looking for a gynecologist or STD test.
Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
In Turkey, you do not need a prescription to purchase birth control. While the President Erdogan made headlines in May 2016 by advising Muslim families to avoid birth control, it is still widely used and available in Turkey.
What to Get & Where to Get It
In Istanbul, birth control pills are available in many pharmacies ("eczanes" in Turkish). While there are less options than in the States, there are certainly a few options, including Yasmin, as well as generic brands.
Costs
Birth control pills should cost between 15-30 lira, depending on the brand.
Emergency Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
In Turkey, you do not need a prescription to purchase Plan B. You can purchase them at pharmacies for about 50 lira.
What to Get & Where to Get It
Costs
Medications
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
You can get medications for yeast infection at Turkish pharmacies. The word of "yeast infection" in Turkish is "mantar enfeksiyonu," which translates as "yeast." You typically need a prescription for a urinary tract infection ("idrar yolu enfeksiyonu" in Turkish) since it's an antibiotic. However, you can often get drugs like Monural without a prescription.
Costs
Menstruation
Laws & Social Stigmas
You can easily find pads and panty-liners in Istanbul. Meanwhile, tampons are available but they are much more difficult to find.
What to Get & Where to Get It
Pads and panty-liners are easy to find in Istanbul. However, tampons are much more difficult to find. They are sold in select pharmacies. It's been reported that in expat areas, like Cihangir or Moda, you may be more likely to find them in grocery stores or stores like Gratis as well. If you do find tampons, they're almost always OB (so no applicator).
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
Some useful terminology: biopsy of the endometrium (= endometrium in Turkish) is called probe curetaj . Curettage = curetaj. Myoma= myom . Fibroid = fibrom . Cervix = serviks. Uterus = uterus. Cyst= kist. Polyp= polip. Breast = meme . Nipple = Mamelon.
Anonymous Review
Acibadem Maslak - I was very unhappy with a gynaecological check up at Acibadem Maslak hospital lately. It is all about the money rather than about the patient. I am not complaining about the medical care but about the total lack of information i got by the doctor. (Asked the same question 3 times : why my endometrium was abnormally thick but all she could say was she had to do a hysteroscopy and perform a biopsy of my endometrium first and send it to the lab) This scared me to the point i agreed for immediate surgery the next morning without asking around, since i thought it might be cancer. I guess i was unlucky to end up with a gynaecologist that was bad in communication. She didn't even tell me i was going to have general anesthesia( so i planned to drive to the hospital myself) When i woke up I was not given any info, except that they had found polyps and sent it to the lab. Afterwards another doctor translated the report: they had removed a benign myoma and did a curettage) I was not given any hygenic pads (nobody told me beforehand i would be bleeding either). I was complaining about pain and they said it was normal, gave me a prescription to buy pain killers at the pharmacy before going home (in my country they give you the necessary medication before going home as well as complete detailed information by the doctor. ) I just felt awful and scared because i didn't know what was wrong with me.
Dr. Munip Berberoglugil, Vital Fulya Plaza, Sisli - I warmly recommend gynaecologist Dr. Munip Berberoglugil at Vital Fulya Plaza in Sisli who cares a lot about his patients, studied in Brussels and speaks perfect French and English. He fixed me up after the surgery at Acibadem which had left me with abnormal bleeding and lots of questions (they did not even bother to make a second appointment after surgery for control, which is often free - like at Amerikan hastanesi for example).
Prof. Dr. Yucel Karaman - He is an authority, both in Istanbul as in Brussels, in the field of fertility problems and excellent gynaeclogist. He also speaks French and English.