Argentine

INTRODUCTION

En Argentine, vous trouverez de nombreux services de santé, surtout à Buenos Aires. Dans tout le pays, la contraception est totalement légale, et les pilules contraceptives, les DIU, les injections et les patchs y sont disponibles. Vous pouvez aussi obtenir la contraception d'urgence ("pilule du lendemain") dans les pharmacies, hôpitaux publics ou centres de santé. Vous pouvez acheter des serviettes hygiéniques et des tampons dans les supérettes, et il y a un vendeur connu de coupes menstruelles dans le pays. Il n'y a pas d'accès à la prophylaxie pré-exposition (PrEP) mais vous trouverez de nombreux centres de test de dépistage des IST, et un programme national de vaccination contre le virus du papillome humain (VPH) a été mis en place. Enfin, l'avortement est généralement illégal et est uniquement autorisé dans certains cas très spécifiques, dont certains sont dans une "zone grise" juridique. C'est pourquoi il existe un trafic important d'avortements clandestins. Certains ont lieu dans des conditions dangereuses, c'est pourquoi la prudence est de mise. L'opinion publique générale concernant l'avortement s'est libéralisée ces dix dernières années, pourtant le pays reste un endroit périlleux pour les femmes ayant une grossesse non désirée.

Contraception

Note : il existe de nombreux moyens de contraception, comme les DIU (dispositifs intra-utérins ou stérilets), les contraceptions orales, les patchs, les injections, les préservatifs, etc. Pour une liste complète, cliquez ici.

Lois et stigmatisation sociale

En Argentine, la contraception est légale et largement disponible. On estime que 61% des femmes Argentines utilisent un moyen de contraception moderne, et que 40% utilisent la pilule contraceptive.

Cependant, tout n'est pas simple pour les femmes Argentines. En 2005, Human Rights Watch rapporte: "Les décisions concernant la contraception et l'avortement sont difficiles, profondément personnelles, et parfois déchirantes. En Argentine, les femmes sont systématiquement empêchées de prendre ces décisions. Malgré de grandes avancées dans les domaines de la participation politique et de l'indépendance économique des femmes, les docteurs et les époux continuent d'exercer un contrôle sur la santé reproductive des femmes via des lois et des règles qui soumettent la prise de décision des femmes à des interférences extérieures arbitraires."

Que prendre et où le trouver

Yasmin pills purchased in Argentina

Yasmin pills purchased in Argentina

• Pour une liste des options de contraception disponibles en Argentine, cliquez ici.
• Vous pouvez acheter des préservatifs dans les pharmacies pour 10-30 pesos (pack de 3) ou jusqu'à 67 pesos (pack de 12).
• Si vous voulez vous procurer des pilules contraceptives ("pastillas anticonceptivas" en espagnol), vous pouvez les trouver en pharmacie sans ordonnance pour environ 30-120 pesos. Farmacity est une chaîne de pharmacie répandue. Les marques que vous pourrez trouver sont Ovrette, Marvelon, Microlut, Microval, Diane-35, Duoluton, Eugynon, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral, Microgynon, Microvlar, Nordette, Miranova et autres. Pour savoir quelles pilules sont disponibles en Argentine, consultez ces pages: IPFF Argentina, Alfabeta, Kairos. Veuillez noter que l'Argentine a des lois strictes sur les importations, soyez par conséquent prudentes de ne PAS apporter avec vous des pilules contraceptives non autorisées dans le pays.
• Si vous êtes intéressée par un anneau contraceptif (comme Nuvaring), vous pouvez le trouver à Farmacity pour 240 pesos.
• Si vous souhaitez un DIU (stérilet), vous pouvez vous le faire poser à l'hôpital ou un centre de santé. Seuls les DIU non hormonaux (en cuivre) sont disponibles en hôpital public. Ils ont une durée d'efficacité de 10 ans. Si vous souhaitez un DIU hormonal, qui a une durée d'efficacité de 5 ans, vous devrez aller dans un hôpital privé. Le DIU Mirena coûte 1700 pesos environ. Le DIU en cuivre coûte autour de 500-700 pesos.
  • Recommandation: "Dr Claudia Maria Battista est une gynécologue basée à Recoleta (3ème étage, Arenales 1611, 4811 6127) qui peut poser des DIU hormonaux et non-hormonaux, après consultation médicale. La meilleure option pour chaque patiente et le prix du DIU doivent être discutés avec Dr Battista, qui parle anglais."
• Si vous souhaitez un contraceptif injectable, ("inyección" en espagnol), vous pouvez trouver Cyclofem, Cyclofemina, Dahlia, Depo-Provera, Mesigyna and Perlutal en Argentine. Vous pouvez probablement recevoir les injections gratuitement à l'hôpital public ou dans un centre de santé, comme l'Hospital General de Agudos A. Zubizarreta ou l'Hospital General de Agudos B. Rivadavia. Si vous souhaitez recevoir les injections à Farmacity, cela vous coûtera environ 40 pesos. Attention: Les pharmacies n'ont pas toujours les injections en stock.
• Si vous souhaitez un implant contraceptif ("implante" ou "anticonceptivo subcutáneo" en espagnol), ils sont disponibles depuis 2012 dans le pays.
• Si vous souhaitez un patch contraceptif ("parche" en espagnol), vous le trouverez en pharmacie (comme Farmacity). Il n'est pas couvert par le système public de santé, donc il faudra vous attendre à payer environ 150-200 pesos.

Contraception d'urgence (pilule du lendemain)

Notes importantes: La contraception d'urgence peut prévenir une grossesse jusqu'à 3 jours (72h) et parfois 5 jours (120h) après un rapport non protégé. Prenez le contraceptif d'urgence le plus tôt possible après le rapport non protégé. Si vous n'avez pas accès à la contraception d'urgence, les contraceptifs oraux peuvent être utilisés en remplacement, mais souvenez-vous de ce qui suit: 1- Seulement quelques contraceptifs peuvent être utilisés comme contraceptifs d'urgence, 2- Des contraceptifs différents nécessitent des dosages et des horaires différents pour pouvoir fonctionner en tant que contraceptifs d'urgence, 3- Vous devez uniquement utiliser les 21 premières pilules dans les packs de 28 pilules, 4- Ces contraceptifs seront probablement moins efficaces qu'une véritable contraception d'urgence. Pour des informations générales sur la contraception d'urgence, cliquez ici and ici. Les stérilets en cuivre peuvent aussi prévenir une grossesse jusqu'à 5 jours après un rapport non protégé.

Lois et stigmatisation sociale

Emergency contraception is legal and can be accessed without a prescription.

What to Get & Where to Get It

In Buenos Aires, you can obtain emergency contraception (also known as "the morning after pill"). In Spanish, it's called "anticoncepción hormonal de emergencia." You can get EC at public hospitals or health centers for free (for 24 hours/day) after a medical consultation. You can also visit a pharmacy, like Farmacity (many of them are open 24 hours), and purchase EC. There are no age restrictions.

• Some of the dedicated emergency contraception brands you can expect to find in pharmacies are Norgestrel Max Unidosis, Postinor 1 and Segurite UD (for all of these, take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). You can also find Norgestrel-Max, Ovulol and Postinor-2 (for all of these, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use oral contraceptive (regular birth control pills) as emergency contraception. For progestin-only pills, you can take Ovrette (take 40 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). You can also take Microlut or Micronova (take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). For combined progestin-estrogen pills, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. Of these, you can take Duoluton, Eugynon, Neogynon, Nordiol or Ovral (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can take Microgynon, Microvlar or Nordette (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). You can also take Miranova (take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later).

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

You can enter the country if you're HIV+. There are no travel restrictions applied to anyone with STIs. However, according to the National AIDS Law No 23.798, all immigrants are required to take HIV tests.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• You can get tested at tons of public hospitals in Argetina. The wait times will be longer but costs will be very low, and potentially free. For the full list, click here.
• If you would like to get tested at a private facility, the costs will be higher. But the wait times will be faster and facilities will generally be nicer:

Support

• Fundación Huesped: Focuses on sexual and reproductive rights and helping people with HIV. Operating since 1989.
• Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer: Focuses on helping women and health programs; organizes conferences.
• FUNDAMIND: Offers job assistance, education, etc. Helps kids with HIV.
• UNAIDS Argentina: "The goal of UNAIDS is to lead and inspire the world in Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-deaths." Alberto Stella, UNAIDS Country Director, Telephone: + 54 11 4328 4365. Fax: + 54 11 4328 2253, Email: STELLAA@UNAIDS.ORG.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you have a yeast infection ("infección por levaduras" in Spanish), you can ask the pharmacist for Fluconazole, which is antifungal medication. They'll be able to give you Fluconazole or something similar.
• If you have a urinary tract infection ("Infecciones de las vías urinarias" in Spanish), you can contact a doctor/pharmacist to find out next steps.
• There has been a national HPV vaccination program in Argentina since 2011. The target age for vaccination is 11 years old, and it was estimated that 50% of the target population was vaccinated in 2013.
• There is currently no official PrEP program in Argentina.

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

In Buenos Aires, you can find pads, tampons and pantyliners. Pads are the easiest to find in supermarkets, pharmacies and corner stores. You can purchase tampons in Argentina; they'll typically be non-applicator brands, like OB. If you want a menstrual cup, you can buy a MoonCup at COPA ECOLÓGICA (Tomás Le Bretón 4933 Villa Urquiza Buenos Aires, Capital Federal 1431 Argentina (011) - 11564171648). For DivaCup, LadyCup or Lunette, you'll need to buy them online since there are no local sellers in Argentina.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For recommended gynecologists in Buenos Aires, visit the Buenos Aires page

Pregnancy

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For recommended obstetricians and gynecologists in Buenos Aires, visit the Buenos Aires page

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 Argentina, abortion is generally not permitted. It is only completely legal in certain circumstances, which include: to save the life of the woman, to protect physical health, and in cases of rape. It should be noted that the Ministry of Health has not formally ratified protocols that permit abortions in cases of rape, so the legality is debatable, yet it appears to be fully decriminalized. For all other reasons, including risk of fetal impairment, economic or social reasons, or availability upon request, are prohibited. According to the Pact of San Jose (1994), the right to life begins "in general, from the moment of conception." While some Argentine politicians have expressed interest in changing the abortion laws in the past, the Catholic Church has played a strong role in Argentine society, and no politicians have successfully gone forth with these plans.

The penalty for an illegal abortion is up to four years in prison for the person who performed the abortion. However, in order to penalize the physician, the police must actually find a person performing an illegal abortion. This makes the prosecution rather difficult. There are reports of police wire-tapping the phones of at least one abortion clinic in order to prosecute the physicians.

For many years, Argentine abortion laws only permitted abortion in cases when the woman's life was endangered. In March 2012, the provisions were expanded after a landmark case, in which the Supreme Court allowed a 15-year old who was raped by stepfather to obtain an abortion. As a result, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion in cases of rape should be criminalized, and they ruled that a sworn affidavit confirming the rape would be enough to allow the abortion. There has not been a formal discussion of revision of abortion laws in Argentine political life. However, it appears that public opinion is gradually changing. In 2003, a poll found that 30% of Argentines thought abortion should be permitted "regardless of situation," 47% thought it should be permitted "under certain circumstances" and 23% thought that abortion should never be permitted. Later, in September 2011, the same poll that 45% of Argentines thought abortion should be permitted for any reason.

It is estimated that half a million abortions happen in Argentina each year, which would be 40% of all pregnancies. Unfortunately, many of these clandestine abortions are performed in unsafe conditions or by unqualified personnel. The number one cause for maternal mortality rates in Argentina is unsafe abortions, which is estimated to be about to 31% of maternal deaths.

As stated in a 2005 Human Rights Watch Report on abortion in Argentina, "The criminalization of abortion leads women to take desperate measures, such as attempting to abort with knitting needles, rubber tubes, parsley sprigs, or the use of abortive medicines without adequate medical assistance. It also enables clandestine abortion “clinics” to operate with little regard for women’s health and lives. When women hemorrhaging or suffering from life-threatening infections or injuries caused by botched abortions show up at public hospitals, health care personnel sometimes scorn them and deny them treatment. Doctors performing post-abortion curettage—the highly painful scraping of a woman’s uterus with a sharp instrument—sometimes do so without anesthesia. Women who fear criminal proceedings are discouraged from seeking necessary post-abortion care, often to the serious detriment of their health. Some women who have had abortions are sentenced to prison, in a further assault on their human rights."

There have also been reported difficulties for women seeking abortions, due to the fears expressed by physicians. As reported in Argentina Independent, "For poor women, public hospitals are often the only available option. Yet frequently, fear of legal repercussions, or a personal moral stance, leads health professionals in public hospitals to demand judicial authorisation before agreeing to terminate the pregnancy, despite the fact that it is not required by law. For their part, some judges likewise refuse to authorise the practice, arguing that they only have a role once the abortion has already been performed."

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can potentially purchase the "abortion pill" through Women on Waves. Check out their website for details.
• In Argentina, there is a abortion hotline for women who have unwanted pregnancies: Tel: (011) 156 664 7070
• There is a Sexual Health Helpline that you can consult for information: Tel: 0800-222-3444 (toll-free)

Costs

There were reports of relatively "safe" abortions being performed for around 1500 pesos in 2007 -- and, while the prices have surely gone up since 2007, it's hard to verify the current prices. However, some abortion providers supposedly charge 20,000-40,000 pesos as of 2015.

List of Additional Resources

• Asociacion Civil La Casa Del Encuentro: Focuses on women’s social networks. Lobbies for policies to combat all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination against women and children. Address: 1204 De, Rivadavia 3917, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Phone: +54 11 4982-2550