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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
As a conservative Islamic country, Saudi Arabia provides some sexual and reproductive health care resources. However, certain health services are difficult to access or completely unavailable. Furthermore, LGBTQ rights are not recognized, and women live under a strict guardianship system, which treats adult women as legal minors. However, the guardianship laws are being liberalized and may undergo further change in the years to come.<ref>[http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/07/women-in-saudi-arabia-will-be-able-to-travel-and-study-without-needing-a-mans-permission-6621239/ Women in Saudi Arabia will be able to travel and study without needing a man’s permission]</ref> <ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/05/09/saudi-arabia-unofficial-guardianship-rules-banned Saudi Arabia: ‘Unofficial’ Guardianship Rules Banned]</ref> | |||
In Saudi Arabia, you can purchase birth control at local pharmacies, and some women report that you can buy birth control without being married (since pharmacists often don't ask for a prescription or marriage certificate). However, emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is prescription-only and not generally accessible. If you have had unprotected sex and want to prevent pregnancy, your best bet is to use regular birth control pills as replacement EC, which we explain how to do in the "Emergency Contraception" section, or get an IUD. Regarding STIs, the options available depend upon whether you're a Saudi national or foreigner. For example, if you're a Saudi national who is diagnosed with HIV, you will receive treatment and support. If you're a foreigner who is diagnosed with HIV, you will receive no treatment and be deported. For more details, please visit the "Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)" section. There are currently no providers of PrEP in Saudi Arabia, and we don't know if PEP is available (if you know, please add the information). Regarding menstruation, you can find pads, tampons and menstrual cups in Saudi Arabia. Finally, abortion is illegal except for very rare cases. Generally speaking, women who wish to seek out abortions must do so in other countries, although this choice has often been curbed in the past due to guardianship laws. | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Saudi Arabia, you can access and purchase birth control at pharmacies. While some official sources state that you need a prescription to obtain birth control,<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill]</ref> local sources (for example, a local blogger) say that you don't need a prescription.<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> This leads us to believe that pharmacists don't require a prescription, but we're still researching the topic. Furthermore, according to a local blog, you don't need to show a marriage certificate in order to purchase birth control. Regardless of your marital status, you can go to a pharmacy and purchase birth control.<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> | |||
As a markedly conservative country, the rate of contraceptive use is not particularly high. The women of Saudi Arabia tend to use contraceptives at a lower rate than other Gulf countries, such as [[United Arab Emirates]] or [[Qatar]]. However, the rate of usage is roughly comparable to [[Oman]].<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> According to a 2015 UN report, it was found that 36.8% of Saudi women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use some form of contraception, and 24.1% of Saudi women have unmet family planning needs. The most common methods were found to be IUDs (11.6%), condoms (6.6%), birth control pills (6.5%), and female sterilization (4.2%). There were very low rates of usage for injectables (1.2%) and implants (0.1%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Nevertheless, it should be noted that Saudi women certainly do use contraceptives, and an estimated six million birth control pills were purchased in 2013.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/news/saudi-arabia/609426 SR108m spent on birth control pills]</ref> | |||
More information: | |||
* [http://life-in-saudiarabia.blogspot.in/2015/01/birth-control-in-saudi-arabia.html Blog post] from 2015 about birth control in Saudi Arabia | |||
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068803/ Study] on Awareness and Use of Contraceptives Among Saudi Women Attending Primary Care Centers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* If you are interested in purchasing '''birth control pills''', there are at least 15 brands available in Saudi Arabia. Nearly all of the brands come from pharmaceutical companies in Germany, United Kingdom and United States. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Diane, Diane-35, Gynera, Gynovlar, Loestrin 20, Loestrin 30, Logynon, Marvelon, Microgynon-30, Minulet, Nordette, Norinyl-1, Ovulen 50 and Yasmin.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=SA IPPF Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
* If you want a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can find Depo-Provera SAS 150mg/ml in Saudi Arabia.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=SA IPPF Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
* We don't know if contraceptive patches, contraceptive implants or contraceptive rings are available in Saudi Arabia. If you do know, please add the information to this page. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* If you can access a prescription for dedicated emergency contraception (the morning after pill), you may find Postinor-2 in Saudi Arabia.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/saudi-arabia/ EC Status and Availability: Saudi Arabia]</ref> <ref>[https://desertenlightenment.wordpress.com/moving-to-saudi-arabia-faq/ MOVING TO SAUDI ARABIA FAQ]</ref> | |||
* If you cannot access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement ECPs. To do this, you can do any of the following: | |||
** For any of these pill brands, take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex: Microlut<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | |||
** For any of these pill brands, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later (note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used): Eugynon, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | |||
** For any of these pill brands, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later (note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used): Microgynon-30, Nordette<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | |||
* You can also get an IUD as a form of emergency contraception. Contact your ob/gyn for details. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
=== | ====HIV==== | ||
Since 1984, the Saudi government has been screening blood for HIV, and in 2012, Saudi Arabia launched a “Zero New Infections, Zero Deaths and Zero Stigma and Discrimination" campaign.<ref>[http://napksa.com/aboutus.php National AIDS Program - About Us]</ref> However, in reality, citizens and non-citizens with HIV are treated completely differently in Saudi Arabia. | |||
If you're a non-Saudi national who wants to work or live in Saudi Arabia, you'll need to show a negative HIV test result before entering the country. Once you enter Saudi Arabia, if you test positive for HIV, you'll probably be placed in solitary confinement and then deported.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=153 SAUDI ARABIA - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> There are [http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/314446 documented cases] of foreigners being deported after testing positive for STIs. You will also not receive any STI treatment while awaiting deportation.<ref>[http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/country/saudi-arabia Saudi Arabia]</ref> Since there are such stiff penalties and circumstances for HIV-positive foreigners, the majority of foreigners appear to avoid tests completely.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/news/485866 Kingdom defeating HIV]</ref> | |||
The situation for Saudi nationals is quite different. If a Saudi citizen tests positive for HIV, they are offered free medical care, employment opportunities and confidentiality. There are several hospitals that specialize in treating HIV/AIDS, though some hospitals reportedly do not treat patients with HIV/AIDS.<ref>[http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/country/saudi-arabia Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
While there is little data on HIV on Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health estimates that there are over 1000 people living with HIV. The government has opened up 11 specialized health centers for HIV, as of December 2016.<ref>[https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2016/12/01/The-number-of-AIDS-victims-in-Saudi-Arabia.html Number of AIDS victims in Saudi revealed]</ref> The vast majority of infections (96%) are contracted through sexual intercourse.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/news/485866 Kingdom defeating HIV]</ref> | |||
====HPV==== | |||
Regarding HPV, there is no national data released by the Ministry of Health. However, cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer for women in Saudi Arabia. There is currently no nationwide HPV vaccination program.<ref>[http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/SAU_FS.pdf Saudi Arabia: Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2017]</ref> | |||
===Testing Facilities=== | |||
* There are numerous centers for HIV tests (for Saudi nationals and non-nationals) in Saudi Arabia.<ref>[http://napksa.com/healthpro.php Napsta HIV Prevention]</ref> | |||
* There are also mobile testing clinics offered in many Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Meccah and Jezan. For more information, contact [http://napksa.com/healthpro.php National AIDS Program (Napska)]. | |||
=== | ===Support=== | ||
* [http://napksa.com/healthpro.php National AIDS Program]: "National AIDS Program under the General Administration of Infectious Diseases Control, unit of Deputy of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established in the year 1994." | |||
* [http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/saudiarabia UNAIDS Saudi Arabia]: Yamina Chakkar - Director, Regional Support Team for Middle East and North Africa. Telephone: +201093260898. Email: CHAKKARY@UNAIDS.ORG | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* If you have a '''yeast infection''', you can let the pharmacist know and see what medications they have. However, if you have some problems communicating what you have or the symptoms, you can ask for Fluconazole, which is an antifungal medication often used to treat yeast infections, or Canesten, another common yeast infection medication (often found in Asia). | |||
* There are no known providers or PrEP in Saudi Arabia.<ref>[http://www.prepwatch.org/ PrEPWatch World Map]</ref> | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can find sanitary pads/pantyliners in many stores, and they can also be purchased online. For example, [http://sa.pricena.com/en/personal-care/personal-care-for-women/feminine-hygiene Pricena] sells pads/pantyliners from Carefree and Always. | |||
* You can find '''tampons''' in some pharmacies<ref>[https://www.quora.com/Are-tampons-not-allowed-in-Saudi-If-so-why Are Tampons Not Allowed in Saudi Arabia]</ref> (such as Nahdi Pharmacy locations) and in large supermarket chains (such as Danube, Carrefour and Tamimi)<ref>[https://desertenlightenment.wordpress.com/moving-to-saudi-arabia-faq/ Moving to Saudi Arabia]</ref> in Saudi Arabia, and they can also be purchased online from Saudi-focused sellers, like [https://www.biovea.com/sa/mobile/Category_Dispatch.aspx?cid=22971&deptid=5 Biovea]. However, it should be noted that you may encounter some pharmacists who warn against using them.<ref>[https://www.quora.com/Are-tampons-not-allowed-in-Saudi-If-so-why Are Tampons Not Allowed in Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
* While we don't know any local sellers of '''menstrual cups''', you can but them from Saudi and Saudi-focused retailers, such as: | |||
** [https://saudi.souq.com/sa-en/the-diva-cup-new-menstrual-solution-4677429/i/ Souq] - Sells DivaCup | |||
** [https://www.biovea.com/sa/productlist/results?KW=menstrual%20cup&FiltersObject=%7B%22SortValue%22:%7B%7D,%22PageSize%22:%2212%22,%22CompareProducts%22:%5B%5D,%22Brands%22:%7B%7D,%22FormValues%22:%7B%7D,%22PriceRanges%22:%7B%7D,%22Categories%22:%5B%5D,%22objects%22:%5B%5D%7D Biovea] -- Sells MoonCup | |||
** [https://www.ubuy.com.sa/en/brand/Blossom%20Menstrual%20Cup Ubuy] -- Sells LENA, DivaCup, Luna Cup, Blossom, Duchess, Athena, etc. | |||
** [http://www.letstango.com/apple-iphone-7-128gb-red-special-edition-44529 Letstango] - Sells Apple Mobile | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
While the cost of menstrual cups completely depends on the brand and store, one source says you can expect to pay between SAR 130<ref>[https://www.biovea.com/sa/product_detail.aspx?PID=12734&deptid=0&cid=0&OS=204&NAME=MENSTRUAL-THE-MOON-CUP-A Menstrual Moon Cup]</ref> and SAR 160 for a menstrual cup in Saudi Arabia (as of May 2017).<ref>[http://saudi.webemirates.com/marketplace/menstrual-cup-72296 Menstrual Cups]</ref> | |||
==Gynecological Exams== | ==Gynecological Exams== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Saudi Arabia, abortion is generally illegal. It is only permitted in rare cases when the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman, or when the pregnancy endangers the physical or mental health of the woman.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4855/abortion-law-saudi-arabia Abortion Law - Saudi Arabia]</ref> For an abortion to be legally approved, a woman must be a maximum of four months pregnant.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm UN Report: Abortion in Saudi Arabia]</ref> Furthermore, a panel of medical experts, composed of three physicians appointed by the hospital director, must sign a recommendation for the abortion. The patient must provide written consent for the abortion. The patient's husband or guardian must also provide written consent for the abortion.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm UN Report: Abortion in Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
The most common abortion route for women in Saudi Arabia is to seek out abortions in other countries, such as [[India]]. | |||
More information: | |||
* [http://www.abortionindia.com/abortion-experience---american-woman-in-riyadh-saudi-arabia.html Abortion Experience - American Lady in Saudi Arabia] - this is a blog entry that explains how an American lady, based in Riyadh, received an abortion in Mumbai | |||
* [https://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/abortion-saudi-arabia-576245 Article on underground abortions in Saudi Arabia] | |||
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/saudiarabia/comments/63vx1t/abortion_laws_in_saudi_arabia/ Reddit Thread on Abortion in Saudi Arabia] | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* According to Women on Waves, Misoprostol is registered in Saudi Arabia but not easily available.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4855/abortion-law-saudi-arabia Abortion Law - Saudi Arabia]</ref> | |||
* If you are considering leaving the country to obtain a legal abortion, you can legal abortions in [[India]], [[Turkey]], [[Greece]] or [[Russia]]. It is especially common for women in Saudi Arabia to seek out abortions in India. Click [http://www.abortionindia.com/abortion-experience---american-woman-in-riyadh-saudi-arabia.html here] for a personal account of an American woman, based in Riyadh, who received an abortion in Mumbai. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In 2014, Saudi Arabia officially outlawed domestic violence. These laws allow women to anonymously report abuse, and they can also receive immunity from litigation in cases when the abuse is not proven in court.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/08/20138290272119559.html Saudi Arabia outlaws domestic violence]</ref> This change was welcomed by human rights activists and the international community, after years of virtually no laws to protect women from domestic abuse. Furthermore, the The King Khalid Foundation launched a campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse that same year.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/08/20138290272119559.html Saudi Arabia outlaws domestic violence]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Domestic Abuse Hotline - Dial 1919 - click [https://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2016/12/08/Saudi-Campaign-urges-women-to-report-domestic-violence-.html here] for more information on the hotline. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
==List of Additional Resources== | ==List of Additional Resources== | ||
* For information on LGBT issues in Saudi Arabia, click [http://www.equaldex.com/region/saudi-arabia here]/ | |||
* [http://jahanamiya.com/ Jahanamiya]: "Jahanamiya is a feminist literary magazine that publishes written work exclusively by Saudi women, as well as accompanying artwork created by regional artists." | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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|title=Gynopedia | |title=Gynopedia | ||
|titlemode=append | |titlemode=append | ||
|keywords=contraception | |keywords=riyadh, saudi arabia, contraception, emergency contraception, morning after pill, std test, sti test, treatment, medications, pharmacies, abortion, clinic, tampons, women's health, abortion | ||
|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in | |description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in Jeddah. | ||
}} | }} | ||