Amsterdam

Netherlands / Western Netherlands / Amsterdam

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 the Netherlands, you need a prescription to obtain hormonal birth control. Once you have a prescription, you can buy birth control pills at pharmacies. You can also get refills of birth control pills without getting a new prescription. According to Randstad, it's estimated that 40% women (ages 15-30) use birth control pills, and 5-10% use IUDS.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you would like to purchase condoms, they can be bought at pharmacies, supermarkets or vending machines. No prescription is required.
• To get a birth control prescription, you'll need to visit a General Practitioner (GP). Once you have a prescription, you can buy birth control pills at pharmacies ("apotheek" in Dutch). The pharmacies are typically open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m, but some are open later (until around 10 PM), and some are open on the weekends. Birth control brands that you can expect to see include Neogynon, Stediril-d, Microgynon-30, Stediril 30 and Lovette. The government covers birth control pills for women under 21 years old.
• If you're interested in the implant, it's available in the Netherlands. If you're over 21 and want your costs refunded, you'll need to purchase an additional health coverage package to include the implant.

Costs

An appointment with a GP will cost about €30. If you have Dutch health care, the GP appointment cost will probably be reimbursed.

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 the Netherlands, you can buy emergency contraception ("the morning after pill") without a prescription.

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 the Netherlands. 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.

Below, you'll find information on available EC options in the Netherlands. Much of this information was found on the Princeton EC website.

Dedicated Products / Anti-Progestin You should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• ellaOne (This used to require a prescription, but shouldn't any more. Visit the Dutch ellaONe website for details)

Dedicated Products / Progestin Only You should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• NorLevo 1.5mg (available over the counter)
• Postinor 1500 (available over the counter)

Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin-Estrogen Combined Note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:

• Neogynon
• Stediril-d

You should take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later: * Microgynon-30

• Stediril 30

You should take 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 5 more pills 12 hours later: * Lovette

Costs

In the Netherlands, EC should cost around 15 euro.

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

There are no travel restrictions imposed against people with HIV or any other STIs.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Outpatient Clinic: "You can undergo a free test and, if necessary, receive treatment for an STI (sexually transmitted infection) at the STI Outpatient Clinic of the Public Health Service Amsterdam, provided you meet the criteria set by the RIVM [National Institute for Public Health and the Environment]. The STI Outpatient Clinic of the Public Health Service is an additional provision to GP care. People without symptoms who wish to undergo an STI test for safety reasons are advised to visit their GP for an STI test. Depending on your situation it may be the case that only certain STI tests are required (e.g. just chlamydia and gonorrhoea). This will be discussed with you during your visit. For additional assistance with sexual health queries (Sense), young people under the age of 25 can make an appointment free of charge." No doctor's referral or health insurance required. Call 020-555 5822 (Mon-Fri 8:30-10:00, 13:30-16:30).

Support

• AIDS Fonds: "Aids Fonds is there for anyone affected by HIV and AIDS. In the Netherlands and beyond. Aids Fonds finances scientific research, provides prevention and treatment for vulnerable groups and fights for the rights of people with HIV."Keizersgracht 392, 1016 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 20 528 7828. Fax.: +31 20 627 5221. Personal advice about HIV, STI or safe sex: infolijn@aidsfonds.nl. Complaints: complaints@aidsfonds.nl.
• AIDS Action Europe: Address: Soa Aids Nederland (STI AIDS Netherlands), Keizersgracht 392, 1016 GB Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 62 62 669, Email: office@aidsactioneurope.org
• AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW), Secretariat- Head Office: Address: P.O. Box 75752, Amsterdam, 1070 AT, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 638 1718, Fax: + 31 20 330 5560, Email: info@afew.org
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Global Headquarters: Address: Keizersgracht 518, 1017 EK Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 626 6267, Email: global.info@aidshealth.org
• Bridging the Gaps - Health and rights for key populations: Address: Aids Fonds, Keizersgracht 392, 1016 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 62 62 669
• COC Nederland: Address: Nieuwe Herengracht 49, 1011 RN Amsterdam, Telephone: +31 20 623 45 96, Fax: +31 20 626 77 95, Email: info@coc.nl
• Correlation Network - HepC Initiative: Address: c/o Foundation De Regenboog Groep, Droogbak 1d, 1013 GE Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 5317600, Email: administration@correlation-net.org
• Dutch Foundation for STI and AIDS Control - SOA AIDS Nederland: Address: Keizersgracht 390-394, 1016 GB Amsterdam, Telephone: +31 20 62 62 669, Email: info@soaaids.nl
• Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (GNP+) - Central Secretariat: Address: PO Box 11726, 1001 GS Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 42 34 114, Fax: +31 20 42 34 224, Email: infognp@gnpplus.net
• HIV Vereniging Nederland: Address: Postbus 15847, 1001 NH Amsterdam Telephone: +31 20 61 60 160, Email: info@hivnet.org
• [www.hivos.org/node/11277?snid=15092 HIVOS - Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries - Rights & Citizenship Programme]: Address: Raamweg 16, Postbus 85565, 2508 CG Den Haag, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 70 37 65 500, Fax: +31 70 36 24 600, Email: info@hivos.nl
• International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) - Europe: Address: Herengracht 208, 1016BS Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 52 10 030, Fax: +31 20 52 10 039, Email: info@iavi.org
• Mainline: Address: PO Box 58303, 1040 HH Amsterdam, Telephone: +31 20 6822660, Email: info@mainline.nl
• North Star Alliance - Global Head Office: Address: PO Box 14195, 3508 SG Utrecht, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 30 234 3210, Email: info@northstar-alliance.org
• PharmAccess Foundation: Address: PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 56 67 158, Fax: +31 20 56 69 440, Email: info@pharmaccess.org
• Share-Net: Address: p/a Royal Tropical Institute, PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, Telephone: +31 20 56 88 512, Email: info@share-net.nl
• Stichting De Regenboog Groep - Rainbow Foundation Group: Address: Postbus 10887, 1001 EW Amsterdam, Telephone: +31 20 531 76 00, Fax: +31 20 420 35 28, Email: info@deregenboog.org
• STOP AIDS NOW!: Address: Keizersgracht 392, 1016 GB Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: +31 20 528 7828, Email: lvandeth@stopaidsnow.nl
• TAMPEP International Foundation - Transnational AIDS/STD Prevention among Migrant Prostitutes in Europe Project: Address: Eerste Helmersstraat 17 B3, 1054 CX Amsterdam, Netherlands, Telephone: + 31 20 692 69 12, Fax: +31 20 608 00 83, Email: info@tampep.eu

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.

Pregnancy

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Childbirth Preparation Courses: "Our trainers suggest that in order to take part on the course you need to be in your third Trimester, at least 26 weeks pregnant. This course is designed for couples and runs for five sessions."

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.

Advocacy & Counseling

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Check out this map of women's shelters in Amsterdam. It's a really helpful resource.
• Koffiehuis en Kledingwinkel van den Volksbond: Homeless shelter. Address: Haarlemmerstraat 146-148 · +31 88 445 4170

List of Additional Resources

• Emergency police, fire brigade, ambulance: 112
• Police information (non-emergency): 0900 8844
• Anonymous tip-line (to report a crime): 0800 7000
• Emergency Doctor: 088 003 0600.The operator will connect you with an emergency doctor in Amsterdam.
• City of Amsterdam Helpline: 14 020 (has English-speaking operators)
• ACCESS" "ACCESS is a not for profit organisation that serves the needs and interests of the international community in the Netherlands." Their helpline can be reached by calling 0900 222 2377 (charges may apply). Address: Laan van Meerdervoort 70, 2517 AN Den Haag, Netherlands, Phone: +31 900 2222377, Hours: Open today · 10AM–4PM.