Hong Kong

China / Hong Kong

OVERVIEW

Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Hong Kong, you can easily purchase contraceptives with no prescription, including condoms, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, implants, injections), diaphragms and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). Nuvaring is not currently available. Condoms can be purchased in most drugstores, pharmacies and supermarkets. In 2012, a study found that 40% of HK women had used contraceptives at one point in their lives.

What to Get & Where to Get It

While many generic oral contraceptives are available in Hong Kong, you may want to research some brands in advance. For example, the Yasmin/Yaz brand, which has been found to cause blood clots, is available with no pharmacist's/doctor's warnings in HK pharmacies, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Says the article, "When a female Post journalist tried to buy the pills at a popular Hong Kong pharmacy chain, no questions were asked; it was only when the journalist asked about their side effects, after purchase, that the pharmacist told her she should consult her doctor."

Some places to check out:

• Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, Birth Control Clinic - Serves women who are married or over 26. If you are under 26 and unmarried, visit the Youth Health Care Service. Website: http://www.famplan.org.hk/fpahk/en/template1.asp?style=template1.asp&content=services/clinic/services.asp&nscref=1.
• Watson's - A popular drug store/pharmacy with branches throughout Hong Kong
• Red Ribbon Center - Get free condoms here. "Although the sales network of condom in Hong Kong has extended to supermarkets and convenient stores, it is embarrassing to buy a condom in front of cashier in the society where sex is still a taboo for many. To make condom more accessible, the following venues provide free condoms to their clients." Website: http://www.rrc.gov.hk/safer_sex/english/l_network.htm

Costs

Birth control pills cost about HKD 90-110/month. The IUD is about HKD 1500. Condoms are about HKD 100 for a ten-pack. Most private health insurance policies do not cover contraception.

Abortion

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Family Planning Association of Hong Kong - Provides medical or surgical abortion for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. Website: http://www.famplan.org.hk/fpahk/en/template1.asp?style=template1.asp&content=services/clinic/services.asp&nscref=18

Private Hospitals

• Hong Kong Sanatorium 2835-8607
• Matilda International Hospital 2849-0111
• Union Hospital 2608-3222

Hospitals of the Hospital Authority Telephone

• Princess Margaret Hospital - 2990-1111
• Prince of Wales Hospital - 2632-2211
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital - 3506-8888
• Queen Mary Hospital - 2255-3838

Costs

At the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, you can expect to pay 3,300 HK dollar (Entitled persons) / 4,400 HK dollar (Non-entitled persons) for medical/surgical termination of early pregnancy. For monitored anaesthetic care, you can expect to pay 1,00 HK dollar at FPAHK.

List of Additional Resources

• Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (http://www.famplan.org.hk/)