Denmark

OVERVIEW

Denmark offers a range of options for sexual and reproductive health care, and all legal residents (such as citizens, EU residents, people with residence permits, people with student visas) are entitled to free health care services. While many forms of contraception, such as birth control pills and IUDs, require a prescription, one can obtain condoms in supermarkets, pharmacies, health centers and kiosks without a prescription. Emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available at pharmacies and no prescription is required. There are also no age restrictions. There are no travel or residency restrictions related to foreigners with HIV/AIDS, and foreigners who test positive for HIV will not be deported. PEP is available in Norway, and all citizens or residents with a health card can receive free HIV treatment. There is a nationwide HPV vaccination program as well. Like many other Scandinavian countries, Denmark offers superior parental leave options compared to global standards, which can be reviewed in the "Pregnancy" section. Finally, abortion is fully legal upon request during the first trimester of pregnancy, and it is available under certain circumstances after the first trimester. However, it should be noted that parental consent is required for minors.

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 Denmark, you need a prescription to obtain birth control pills. According to a 2015 report, it was found that 70.8% of Danish women (who are married or in unions) use any form of contraception, including traditional methods, and 9.4% have unmet family planning needs.

Generally speaking, Denmark is known for its relatively lax and progressive attitude toward sexuality. The topic of sex is not especially taboo, and sex education is an integral part of youth education. It is common practice for parents to permit their teenage children to invite boyfriends or girlfriends over for the night, and it's common for adult couples to live together without being married or having children.

Blog Posts about Birth Control in Denmark:

• Bureaucracy and birth control: Navigating the Danish health care system

What to Get & Where to Get It

Femicept birth control pills purchased in Denmark (35 dkk for a 3-month supply)

• In Denmark, you can buy condoms at pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores (like 7-Eleven) sex shops and other locations. At grocery stores, condoms are typically found at the checkout counter/register. You can purchase condoms online from retailers like Biovea, which sells Trojan and Durex condoms, or Care to Beauty, which sells Durex condoms. On both of these websites, you can purchase condoms with Danish krone and have the condoms delivered to your Danish address.
• In Denmark, you can find a variety of birth control pill brands. But first, you'll need to get a prescription to access the pills. If you don't have a prescription, you can schedule an appointment with a General Practitioner (GP) to receive one. Note that, if you want to access the Danish public health care system, you'll need a CPR number. If you don't have a CPR number, you can just pay for the pills out-of-pocket. Once you have a prescription, you can obtain the pills at pharmacies, health clinics or IPPF-affiliated programs. Some of the birth control pill brands you can expect see at pharmacies include Cerazette, Orifarm, Microluton, Microval, Dystrol, Neogentrol, Neogynon, Nordiol, Gynatrol, Microgyn and Nordette.
• You can find the contraceptive patch, like the Evra patch, in Denmark, but a prescription is needed. Once you have a prescription, you can find it at the pharmacy.
• You can find IUDs and hormonal coils in Denmark, including Jaydess and Mirena. You should contact your General Practitioner (GP) to get more details.
• You can find contraceptive implants, such as Nexplanon, in Denmark. You should contact your General Practitioner (GP) to get more details.
• You can find contraceptive injectables, such as Depo-Provera, in Denmark. You should contact your General Practitioner (GP) to get more details.

Costs

• If you are a Danish citizen or resident, your basic medical costs should be covered and free of charge.

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 Denmark, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is needed and there are no age restrictions. You can obtain emergency contraceptive pills at family planning clinics, pharmacies and IPPF-affiliated programs, and it's estimated that about 20% of Danish women have ever used ECPs, according to 2010 data.

You can also obtain an IUD, which is included in the national policy guidelines as a valid form of emergency contraception. However, this will require a visit to a licensed health care practitioner to insert the IUD, so this will take more time than simply obtaining ECPs over-the-counter.

The official guidelines for emergency contraceptive usage in Denmark can be found in the DSOG, which was published in 2009. Later, in 2015, the Family Planning Association Sex & Samfund published new information in response to the change in UPA EC’s status.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Denmark, you can obtain emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, health care clinics and IPPF-affiliated programs. No prescription is needed and there are no age restrictions. You can expect most pharmacies to be open between 09:30-17:30 on weekdays and from 09:30-12:00 or 09:30-14:00 on Saturdays. Some pharmacies are open 24-hours; you can find a list of them here. Some pills you can expect to see are ellaOne, which is the longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. You also may find Levonelle 1500 or NorLevo 1.5mg. You may also find Postinor For updated instructions on how to take these pills, click here.
• You can also use an intrauterine device (IUD) as a form of emergency contraception. Contact a licensed health care provider in Denmark to learn more details.
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control pills are replacement ECPs. To do this, you can take take brands like Microluton, Microval, Dystrol, Neogentrol, Neogynon, Nordiol, Gynatrol, Microgyn or Nordette. For updated instructions on how to take these pills, click here.

Costs

The cost of ECPs are not covered by Danish social security and will not be reimbursed. For LNG type of emergency contraceptive pills (like Levonelle 1500, NorLevo and Postinor), you can expect to pay around € 12.45. For UPA type of emergency contraceptive pills (like ellaOne), you can expect to pay around € 23.36, as of 2015.

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 or visit the "Medications" section below. 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

In Denmark, there are no legal restrictions related to people with HIV/AIDS. This means that, if you're not Danish, you can legally visit the country, regardless of your HIV status. You will not be asked for your medical records or information about your HIV status upon entry into the country. Furthermore, you can apply for residency, regardless of HIV status, and if you're a foreigner who is found to be HIV positive, you will not be penalized or deported based on your HIV status.

Regarding HIV treatment, Denmark provides cost-free HIV treatment to all people with health cards.

Testing Facilities

• If you would like to get an STI test in Denmark, you can schedule an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP) or you can schedule an appointment at a clinic. Click here for a national list of test providers. Below, we have listed some local clinics in Copenhagen to check out:
  • Sex og Samfund: Here's the information from February 2018: "Our Clinic is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 16.30 to 19.30. You have to book an appointment from 15.45 to 16.45 on the same days on 33139113. If it is 'only' a Clamydia test you don't have make an appointment. We can test for all STI's but HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis as they require a blood test. Here we refer to Bisbebjerg Hospital. You have to be a resident in Region Hovedstaden to visit our Clinic, and have a social security number (CPR). Bring you yellow CPR-card (“sygesikringsbevis”) to the clinic. If so the tests will be free." Address: Lergravsvej 59, 2nd floor, 2300 Copenhagen S. Tel: 33 93 10 10. Email: info@sexogsamfund.dk
  • Checkpoint Copenhagen: "At Checkpoint you can be tested for HIV and syphilis and get advice. It is anonymous and free and you will receive an answer immediately. You meet competent counselors who have extensive experience in advising on HIV, safe sex and other sexually transmitted diseases. Checkpoint is primarily aimed at: Men who have sex with men, Persons with a different ethnic background than Danish." Phone: 88 33 56 00
  • Nordsjællands Hospital Hillerød: They do screening for HIV and hepatitis. Telephone: 48 29 69 45/48 29 53 84
  • Bispebjerg Hospitasl Copenhagen NV: Time For Appointment - Phone: 38 63 61 74. Monday - Friday: 8.30 - 12.00, Monday - Friday: 8.30 - 12.00 am.
  • The Clinic for Sexually Transmitted Infections at Bispebjerg Hospital
  • Gentofte Clinic for STDs: "In the clinic you can be examined for sexually transmitted diseases, such as: gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, chlamydia, Condylomes (genital warts), Infectious hepatitis (hepatitis). If you wish, the study for HIV or syphilis can be done anonymously. Remember to inform this when you arrive at the clinic."
  • Hvidovre hospital: "You can contact the clinic directly without referral from your own doctor between 9-12 and 13-14.30 Monday to Thursday and Friday 9-12 and 13-14. HIV test is free. The answer is available within 20 minutes after a blood test has been taken. There is the possibility of counseling from staff specially trained to treat patients with HIV. The test is performed by a blood test. The blood sample is immediately analyzed for both HIV antibodies and HIV antigen (Kombi test). The result of a combination test is fully reliable from 4 weeks after possible infection to test time."

Support

• In Denmark, if you have diagnosed with HIV, you will be referred to an outpatient clinic (hospital) for treatment. There are many treatment centers that specialize in HIV/AIDS, including the following: Rigshospital Copenhagen, Hospital Hvidovre, Universitetshospital Odense, Marselisborghospital Århus and Ålborg Sygehus. Click here for a complete list of outpatient clinics (hospitals) that specialize in HIV/AIDS in Denmark.
• HIV Danmark: "Hiv-Danmark is a national organisation for all people living with HIV (PLHIV), and those affected by HIV, living in Denmark, irrespective of method of infection, gender, sexuality or nationality." Address: Hiv-Danmark, Vestergade 18E, 4th floor, DK-1456 Copenhagen V. Denmark. Phone: +45 33 32 58 68 (weekly 11 am-3 pm). Email: info@hiv-danmark.dk
• Sex og Samfund: "Sex & Society fights for everyone's equal right to decide on their own body. We work nationally and internationally for sexual health, rights, well-being and space for diversity." Address: Lergravsvej 59, 2nd floor, 2300 Copenhagen S. Tel: 33 93 10 10. Email: info@sexogsamfund.dk

Costs

If you have a Danish health card, the cost of HIV treatment (tests, check-ups, consultations and medications) are covered by the regional health services. If you are employed, you may need to sign a health insurance agreement with your employer, which could cover any gaps in your public health care. If you don't have a Danish health card, you can expect to pay for at least some of the expenses out-of-pocket.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You may be able to find Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Denmark, where the Danish Society for Infectious Diseases established guidelines for its usage in 2015. However, the guidelines only recommend its usage for MSM and do not advice its use for heterosexual couples. Furthermore, Denmark is not yet listed as a country with general PrEP access, according to the PrEPWatch website.
• You can access Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in Denmark. It should be available free of charge after sexual contact. If you believe you have been potentially infected with HIV after sexual exposure, contact a local health care provider to learn how you can access PEP in Denmark.
• You can access the HPV vaccine in Denmark. There has been a nationwide HPV vaccination program since 2009, which targets 12 year old girls. The brand of HPV vaccine used in Norway is called Cervarix. It's injected in the upper arm. For girls under 15 years old, they will receive two doses of the vaccine. For girls over 15 years old, they will receive three doses of the vaccine.

Costs

• For young girls (ages 12-18), they can receive a free HPV vaccine from the Danish Health Authority.

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 in supermarkets, health stores and pharmacies.
• You can find tampons in supermarkets, health stores and pharmacies.
• You can find a variety of menstrual cups in Denmark, either in physical stores or online. First, there are some menstrual cup brands from Denmark. For example, there's the Danish-made BetulaCup, which can be purchased online for 179 DKK, as of January 2018, and comes in three different styles (Classic, Folder and Young). There's Organicup, which is headquartered in Denmark and is sold by a variety of online retailers. There's also FemaleCup, which was launched in Copenhagen in 2010. It costs 41 euros, as of January 2018, and comes in two sizes. Aside from local brands, there are many international brands as well. For example, you may be able to buy RubyCup at EcoEgo (Address: Nørre Farimagsgade 82, 1364 Copenhagen), and you may be able to buy Lunette at Kopperiet Mette Kim Witten (Address: Lindelyvej 1, Fredensborg 3480) or Sugar for Your Skin and Soul (Address: Vordingborggade 2C, København Ø 2100). You can also buy international menstrual cup brands online. For example, you can also buy LadyCup, an international menstrual cup brand, from its Danish store, and you may be able to find menstrual cups on Worldcare, an online retailer that provides services to Denmark.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Under the Danish health care system, you're entitled to receive public services once you have 1) registered in Denmark 2) received your CPR number and 3) received your yellow health insurance card. Once you are covered, you can pick a General Practitioner (GP) to see for most of your health care needs.

Pregnancy

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Denmark, parents are entitled to 52 weeks of paid parental leave. The mother is entitled to 4 weeks of leave before the birth and 14 weeks of leave after the birth. Furthermore, there's an additional 32 weeks of leave that can be split between the mother and partner in any way they choose. There is also the option to extend parental leave for another fourteen weeks under certain circumstances, such as if the child is sick. Parents can choose to be on parental leave at the same time as each other. In the cases of adoption, parents also receive the right to parental leave.

The right to receive a full salary during parental leave is determined by the employer/employee agreement. When a parent returns to his or her job, they should receive a position that is at least equivalent to the one they left before parental leave. However, their employer can legally terminate them when they're pregnant or on parental leave for reasons that are unrelated to pregnancy or parental leave (for example, if the company goes through a restructuring).

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 Denmark, abortion is fully legal during the first trimester (first twelve weeks) of pregnancy. However, if the pregnant person is a minor, then parental consent is required. Furthermore, abortion is legal during the second trimester (after twelve weeks of pregnancy) in the following circumstances: when the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman, when the pregnancy endangers the physical or mental health of the woman, when there is risk of fetal malformation, when the woman is incapable of taking care of the child due to a physical disorder, mental disorder or youth/immaturity, when the pregnancy, childbirth or childcare constitutes a serious burden to the woman, or when the pregnancy was caused by a crime (like rape or incest).

Danish abortion law is based on Law No. 350 of 13 June 1973. The full text can be read here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Foreningen Sex & Samfund: Skindergade 28 1. sal, Copenhagen K 1159, Denmark. Tel: +45(33) 931 010 . Fax: +45(33) 931 009

Advocacy & Counseling

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Emergency/Hospital Hotline: Dial 112
• Livslinien Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotline: Dial: +45 70 201 201
• LOKK’s 24-hour-a-day hotline for information on women's shelters: 70 20 30 82

List of Additional Resources

• Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Denmark.
• Danske Kvinders Nationalråd - Danish Women´s National Council: Niels Hemmingsensgade 10,2, Postboks 1069, 1008 København K. Tel: 0045 33 12 80 87. Fax: 0045 33 12 67 40.
• Danish National Council Of Women (Danske kvinders nationalrad, NDK ): Niels Hemmingsensgade 10, 2. , DK-1153 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: 33-01-12 80 87.
• Danish Housewives Association (De Danske Husmoderforeningen): "The object of DKN is to safeguard the social, professional, economic, and cultural rights of women and the equal status between women and men." Niels Hemmingsensgade 10, DK-1153 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: 45-33 131 222.
• Danish Women's Society (Dansk Kvindesamfund): Niels Hemmingsensgade 10, 3. , 1153 Copenhagen Denmark, Tel: 33-15 78 37
• National Council of Danish Women: Niels Hemmingensgade 8, 1153 Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel: 01 13 80 87.
• National Danish Women's Movement (DKN): Niels Hemmingensgade 10, 2, 1153 Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel: 33 12 80 87
• Kvindeligt Selskab: The Feminine Society - forum of debate and support group of KVINFO: c/o Kvinfo, Oldfrue Anita Frank Grot, Christians Brygge 3, 1219 Kbh. K. , Tlf: 33 13 50 88.
• Kvinfo, Center for information om kvinde- og k¢nsforskning (Kvinfo, Danish Centre for Information on Women and Gender): Christians Brygge 3, DK-1219 Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel: +45 33 135 088 , Fax: +45 33 141 156 . E-mail: kvinfo@kvinfo.dk or kvinfo@inet.uni-c.dk
• K.U.L.U.- WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT: Borgergade 14, 2. th., DK - 1300 Copenhagen K, DENMARK, Tel. + 45 - 3315 7870, Fax: + 45 - 3332 5330, E-mail: kulu@kulu.dk
• Danish Association Of Midwives (Den Almindelige Danske Jordemoderforening): Norre Voldgade 90, DK-1358 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: 45-33 1 38 211. Fax: 45-33 9 38 214
• European Women's Management Development Network (EWMD): Dansk Industri, H.C. Andersens Boulevard 18, 1787 Kbh. V., Denmark. Tlf: 33 77 33 77. Fax: 33 77 37 80.
• Women's International Studies Europe (WISE) - Feminist Research in Medicine: Inst. of Soc. Medicine PANUM, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel: 33 -35 79 00 ext: 2400
• Center for Feminist Research and Women's Studies - University of Copenhagen-Amager: Njalsgade 106, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
• Center For Kvinde- Og Kønsforskning (Center for Feminist Research and Women's Studies): Københavns Universitet Amager, Njalsgade 80, 2300 København S, Denmark. Tel: 35 32 88 11 , Fax: 35 32 83 77
• Medical Women's International Association: Hegnsvey 37, 2850 Naerum, Denmark, Tel: 45 42 80 03 28, Fax: 45 42 80 34 28
• International Alliance of Women - Danish Women's Society: Jordbaervaenget 29 , 2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, Tel: 45 44 98 58 08, Fax: 45 44 98 25 35
• Foreningen For Kvindelige Akademikere - Association of Academic Women: Rådhusvej 19, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark, Tlf: 39 63 28 82.
• Foreningen For Kvindelige Virksomhedsejere (Danish Association of Women Business Owners): Virumgade 39D, 3830 Virum, KV c/o New connection, Tlf: 45 85 10 55
• Center For Kvinde- Og Kønsstudier (Center for Women's Studies): Odense Universitet, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark. Tel: 66 15 86 00, Fax: 66 15 78 92
• Kvindehistorisk Samling (The Women's History Archives): Statsbiblioteket, Universitetsparken, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Tel: +45 8946 2022. Fax: +45 8946 2220. E-mail: kumsb@kumsb.dk
• Center for Kvinde- og Kønsforskning ved Århus Universitet - The Centre for Gender Studies in Aarhus (CEKVINA): Århus Universitet, Finlandsgade 26 B, st. , DK-8200 Århus N , Denmark. Telephone: +45 8942 1111 or 89 42 44 45. Fax: 86 10 82 28.
• FREIA - The Feminist Research Centre in Aalborg: "The Feminist Research Centre in Aalborg is an interdisciplinary organization of feminist researchers within the social sciences." Fibigerstraede 2, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark. Tel: +45 96 35 80 80 Fax: +45 98 15 32 98