Beirut

Lebanon / Beirut

OVERVIEW

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 Lebanon, you can purchase hormonal birth control without a prescription. In 2007, it was estimated that 58% of Lebanese women use some form of contraception. In Beirut, it was estimated that 26% of women use oral contraceptives, 20% use IUDs, 24% use natural family planning (also known as the "fertility awareness method"), 16% use the withdrawal method and 15% use other methods.

What to Get & Where to Get It

In Beirut, you can buy hormonal birth control at pharmacies. Some birth control pills you can expect to find are Microval, Neogynon, Nordiol, Ovral, Lo-Femenal, Microgynon-30 and Nordette.

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 Lebanon, you need a prescription to purchase emergency contraception (the morning after pill).

What to Get & Where to Get It

Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, and it's available in Lebanon. Copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

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.

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.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

Here are some recommended gynecologists in Beirut:

• Dr Toufic Nakad (Bellevue Medical Center)
• Dr Mary Chammas (St George's Hospital, or her clinic in Sodeco Square)
• Dr Elie Snaifer (St George's Hospital Achrafieh)
• Dr Antoine Hannoune (American University Beirut Medical Center)
• Dr Layal Abi Zeid (Clinique du Levant, 01501500)
• Dr Zayan Kabalan (01 869 878)
• Dr. Joseph Azoury (mont liban hospital and st.joseph hospital)
• Johnny Rechdan (Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, UMC-Rizk Hospital, Ashrafieh)
• Dr Antoine Germanos (St Joseph Hospital, and he has a clinic in Jdeideh)

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.