Dubai

United Arab Emirates / Dubai

OVERVIEW

Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

Although premarital sex is illegal in the UAE, you can typically buy oral contraceptives as a single woman in Dubai. While you technically need to be married to use condoms, as well, this does not seem to be widely enforced, and you should be able to purchase condoms at supermarkets, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. Note that this is not the case throughout UAE, and you will need to show proof of marriage in places like Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, there have been some reported cases of the following: women being asked for marriage certificates before buying contraception, women being asked for their husband's permission before receiving contraception, and women being reported by pharmacists to authorities for buying contraception while being unmarried. These stories have been especially covered in the British media. Yet many single women of Dubai report little to no problems when purchasing contraception and Dubai pharmacists have contested this story. However, it may be recommended to wear a "wedding ring" if you are indeed single and wish to purchase contraception to avoid questioning or slut-shaming. See this Guardian article for details.

Generally, oral contraceptives seem to be widely used in the UAE. In 2012, a study of 500 women found that oral birth control pills were the most common form of contraception, and 84% of women did not object to the use of contraceptives.

What to Get & Where to Get It

It seems that Yasmin, Microval, Neogynon, Logynon, Microgynon-30 and Nordette are common oral contraceptives in Dubai. You can check out the options at Boots, one of the largest pharmacies in Dubai, which can often be found in malls.

Costs

A few years ago, you could get a one month supply of birth control for about $5, but we'll need some more updated information.

Emergency Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

Emergency contraception, or 'the morning after pill,' is not allowed in Dubai or the Emirates. However, women do use oral contraceptives as emergency contraception, as this tends to be the only option available (see next section for details). In 2015, some UAE doctors called for an end to the ban on emergency contraception pills, but the ban remains in effect.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can take Microval (take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex) or Neogynon (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). There's also Logynon (take ochre pills only), Microgynon-30, Nordette -- and for all of these, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later. Note that in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.

Medication & Vaccines

Laws & Social Stigmas

There are two HPV vaccines available in Dubai (Gardasil and Cervarix). There is no PreP access and foreign HIV/AIDS patients (if they are residing in UAE) are typically deported from the country. If doctors find that a patient has HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis, they are required to report this information to the authorities.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• American Hospital - For information about HPV vaccinations, contact the American Hospital on 04 336 7777.
• Zack Medical Center - "Discreet medical help for those in distress." Provides medication for Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Herpes, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, BV, Yeast, Molluscum, Scabies, Crabs (Address: 305, Emgate Building, Sheikh Zayed Road south, On opposite side of Business Bay Metro Station, Ph: +97143884 111 Ph: 800-STD (800783), Mobile: +971503821800, email@std.co, Website: http://www.stdscan.com/).
• Fakih Medical Center - Seems to test for and treat vaginal pain, vaginal bleeding and STDs. (Phone: 800-FAKIH (32544). Website: http://fakihmedicalcenter.com/)

STD Tests

Laws & Social Stigmas

As reported by Emirates 24/7: "A friendly voice over the phone informed this reporter that HIV testing was a very normal procedure in Dubai, with a simple blood test was all it took to determine your fate. The questions were being posed to a staff member of one of the leading medical clinics in Dubai, which, among other lab work, specialises in STD testing. However, as soon as this reporter quizzed about the standard procedure adopted if a person tested positive for HIV, the call was immediately transferred to another member of staff, who in a hushed tone, informed us that results would be strictly between doctor and patient for an extra fee. When probed further, the helpful staff member assured us that no information would be leaked out to any ‘official authority’ considering the testing was done on the premises itself and confidentiality would be adopted." (Source: HIV+? Don't worry, some UAE clinics won't tell authorities)