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Seoul
OVERVIEW
Contraception
Laws & Social Stigmas
Contraceptives are completely legal in South Korea and can be purchased in a pharmacy. In 2012, President Pak Geun-Hye and his conservative government announced that the Korean Food & Drug Administration was considering reclassification of birth control pills, which would make the pills prescription-only. This caused public outrage and wide online discuss of the issue. Three months later, the proposal was dropped. It was decided to put the reclassification on hold for three years -- and, to this day, it seems to remain on hold. As reported in Korea Bang, "Asides from the 'woman’s right to choose' argument, one of the reasons Korean women get upset over the issue is perhaps cultural: unmarried Korean women rarely visit a gynaecologist. Even when seriously ill, a visit to a gynaecology clinic would be reluctant for fear of the disapproving stares around them. That’s not to mention the social pressure on Korean women to remain sexually naïve." (Source: Law on Contraceptive Pill Changes).
In 2015, it was estimated that 78% of South Koreans use any form contraception (Source: UN Report). However, only 2..8% of Korean women use the birth control pill (Source: Korean Herald). Many men and women also underwent the forced sterilization programs of the 1970s and 1980s (Source: Learning From Korean Family Planning Advertisements of the 1960s-1980s). Condoms also appear to be more popular than oral contraceptives.
What to Get & Where to Get It
In Korean, birth control pills are 피임약 (pronounced "pi-im yak"). The most popular brand in Korea is Mercilon (머시론). You can purchase condoms in convenience stores, pharmacies, Olive Young, Watson's, and sometimes in subway vending machines. There's also 에이리스, which s a low hormone option, costs about 10,000 won for a 21-pill pack. Another brand is 멜리안정 (me-li-an-jung), but a woman reported loss of sex drive. There's also 센스리베.
It appears that you can get the Nuvaring in South Korea, but we don't have much information on this (anyone?).
As for IUDs in South Korea, one poster on Reddit wrote: "IUDs are great, but the general consensus over here, unlike in the US, is that they're bad for unmarried women, so she may have trouble getting a doctor to consider it here. I had a hospital gynecologist here who tried very hard to convince me to have mine taken out." (Source: Help! Buying Birth Control in South Korea...).
Recommended Clinics/Pharmacies:
- MediFlower Clinic near 교대 is great
Costs
Birth control pills are 6-8,000 won for one month’s supply.
Emergency Contraception
Important Note: The earlier you take emergency contraception, the more effectively it will work. Take it as soon as possible.
Laws & Social Stigmas
Morning after pills (사후 피임약) are only available with a prescription. As explained by the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception, "EC currently still requires a prescription. Although in August 2012 the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) decided to repeal an earlier initiative that would have approved EC for over-the-counter use, due to intense debate within the country among various stakeholders, the KFDA abandoned the reclassification initiative." (Source: EC Status and Availability, South Korea).
What to Get & Where to Get It
To get an EC prescription, you will need to go to a doctor. It is recommended to visit a women's clinic for the prescription rather than a hospital. You will find it especially difficult to secure an EC prescription at a Christian hospital. When you are seeking EC, it is customary that the doctor will ask some questions about your cycle, last period, etc. After they have written a prescription, you can bring it to a pharmacy ("yak-guk" in Korean).
For dedicated EC that is anti-progestin, there's ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). For dedicated EC that is progestin only, there's After1, Norlevo One and Postinor 1 (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). There's also Levonia, Levonormin, MS Pill and Sexcon One&One (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). If you absolutely cannot secure emergency contraceptives, you can use some oral contraceptives as EC instead. In Korea, there's Minivlar or Sexcon (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later) or Alesse (take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later).
Costs
The morning after pill should only cost between 10,000 and 20,000 won. The doctor's visit might cost around 10,000 won.
Medications
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
For nearly all medications in Korea, you need a prescription from a doctor. For yeast infection medication, you can ask for the "Canesten" at the pharmacy (though I believe you need a prescription first), which is similar to Monistat or Lotrimin. Pharmacies should have both the cream and suppository types of Canesten. The word for suppository in Korean is "좌약" (prounounced as "jwa yak"). For UTIs, you will also need to see a doctor for treatment. Be sure to specify that you believe it is a UTI, otherwise the doctors may assume that you have an STI (due to the burning sensation). For herpes (수포진, or "supojin" in Korean), Valtrex is not readily available (as of 2012), but there is a generic version in Korea. Regarding HPV vaccines, the government approved Gardasil for females (ages 9-26) and males (9-15) in 2007. Since 2016, it has been a part of the National Immunization Program, and all children under 12 in South Korea receive the vaccination free of charge. Regarding HIV medication, the Korean government seems to bar foreigners with HIV/AIDS from entering the country. It also requires that all foreign teachers take HIV tests. If foreigners are found to be HIV+, they will most likely be deported. As for locals with HIV/AIDS, there seem to be no special treatment centers in South Korea. There also no known distributors or trials for PrEP. The word for AIDS in Korean is 에이즈, or "eijeu."
Costs
Menstruation
Laws & Social Stigmas
While tampons are available, they are not sold everywhere, as most South Korean women only use them for swimming.
What to Get & Where to Get It
Pads are available at convenience stores, often sold in “bulky” sizes. Tampons with and without applicators are available but the brand selection is pretty limited. There are no known sellers of menstrual cups (DivaCup, Mooncup, LadyCup), so it is recommended to buy them online.
Costs
Gynecological Exams
Laws & Social Stigmas
What to Get & Where to Get It
- Medi-Flower OB/GYN Clinic - Recommended. Located next to the Seoul National University of Education Metro stop. The female Korean doctor speaks English.
Costs
STD Tests
Laws & Social Stigmas
The South Korean government does not allow foreigners with HIV/AIDS or syphilis to enter the country. If you come as a tourist to South Korea, you will not be tested for HIV/AIDS. But, if you are a foreign teacher, you will typically be required to take an HIV test before working in Korea. If foreigners are found to be HIV+ or have syphilis, they will most likely be deported. As for locals with HIV/AIDS, there seems to be no special treatment centers in South Korea. There also no known distributors or trials for PrEP. The word for AIDS in Korean is 에이즈, or "eijeu." If you test positive for HIV or syphilis, and if you are a teacher, contact Legal Office For Foreign Teachers (LOFT) to discuss your options.
In Korean society, STI/STD tests do not appear to be overwhelming common. Many people hold the perception that they are "clean" though they may have never been tested. While STD rates are lower, particularly for HIV/AIDS, than in many other countries, South Korea is certainly not STD-free, and people should always practice safe sex.
What to Get & Where to Get It
Larger Hospitals
Note: These larger hospitals may not do anonymous testing, so they may report your results to Korean authorities.
- Yongsan Public Health Center: Tests for hepatitis, STD test, blood, and urine tests. If you're not covered by public insurance, Yongsan provides free checks for foreigners. Call 02-2199-8161 (Korean only). Often there is no one at the center who speaks a language other than Korean. You can contact 1339 (medical help line) for assistance while you're at the center. The health center is located in the Yongsan District Office building. Go out Exit 3 of Noksapyeong Station (Line 6, Stop 628). Head toward Itaewon, crossing the street at the light. Right after you cross, turn right, heading toward Banpo Bridge. Walk about 2-3 minutes - the Yongsan District Office is the hug building right by the Crown Hotel.
- Severance Hospital - Does STD tests and has an international clinic for foreigners. It is one of the oldest and biggest university hospitals in South Korea. Address: 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Phone: +82 1599-1004.
- Ansan Hospital: May only test for HIV/AIDS. Korea University Medical Center 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841.
=Specialized Clinics
While you can get an STD test at many hospitals, they may not be anonymous. Here is a list of some more specialized places:
- Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention (KHAP): Provides free & anonymous tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, urethritis. Their HIV test are only for foreigners ("Our Testing both HIV Rapid and STD at any centers is offering basically for foreigners, not Koreans. Koreans are not available."). Reservation required by phone or website. Address: 30-6. Donam 1-dong Seongbuk-gu. 136-890. SEOUL KOREA ㆍTEL.82-2-927-4322 ㆍFax.82-2-927-4017, E-mail:khap@kaids.or.kr.
- International Clinic: Provides STD tests, supposedly anonymously, and you can pay cash. "International Clinic was founded in 1987 with the goal of providing advanced and personalized health care for expatriates residing in Korea and travelers to Korea. The International clinic is a modern, full-service medical clinic specializing safe and effective natural therapies for medical conditions, including anti-aging programs." Address: 501 Hannam building, 737-37 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 140-212. Phone Number: 82-2-790-0857. They have a website with an online reservation system but it often seems to be down.
- Ivan Stop HIV/AIDS Project: Tests for the Korean gay community. Full-time gay staff and volunteers. May also test for women as well. Contact them to inquire. Seoul Center: Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 109-1 and Tel.02-792-0083 and Fax.02-744-9118
Busan Center: Busan Dong-gu 917-52 Bumil two layers and Tel.051-646-8088 and Fax.051 -646-8089
Remember: Anonymous testing is especially important in South Korea where foreigners can be deported for positive results.