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==Emergency Contraception==
==Emergency Contraception==
'''Important Notes:''' The earlier you take emergency contraception, the more effectively it works. After unprotected sex, take EC '''as soon as possible'''. If you don't have access to EC, you can use oral contraceptives as EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC (so confirm they work as EC) 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages to work as EC (so get the proper instructions) 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) You must take the pills as soon as possible.


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===
'''Note:''' The most effective emergency contraceptive is currently [http://www.ellaone.com/ ellaOne]. It lasts up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Other EC brands are generally effective up to 3 days with occasional protection up to 5 days. So check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, look for regular EC, which may sometimes protect you for up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective, and they should be taken as soon as possible.


Once you have a prescription, you can find emergency contraception in public sector clinics, private clinics, pharmacies and emergency rooms. Some Catholic hospitals may refuse to prescribe or issue EC, but this is not very common. For dedicated EC products, there's ellaOne, an anti-progestin, and you should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. There's also PiDaNa, a progestin, and you also should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. As for contraceptives used as EC, there are a variety of contraceptives in Germany, and instructions for how many to take will vary according to the pills. For more details, visit the [http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC website], where you can find all possible combinations accessible in Germany.
Once you have a prescription, you can find emergency contraception in public sector clinics, private clinics, pharmacies and emergency rooms. Some Catholic hospitals may refuse to prescribe or issue EC, but this is not very common. For dedicated EC products, there's ellaOne, an anti-progestin, and you should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. There's also PiDaNa, a progestin, and you also should take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex. As for contraceptives used as EC, there are a variety of contraceptives in Germany, and instructions for how many to take will vary according to the pills. For more details, visit the [http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC website], where you can find all possible combinations accessible in Germany.
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LNG: € 17, as of 2013; UPA: € 35, as of 2013.
LNG: € 17, as of 2013; UPA: € 35, as of 2013.


==Medication & Vaccines==
==Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)==
 
'''Important Note:''' 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 that may prevent HIV infection, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible.


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
If you are interested in long-term residency or citizenship in Germany, some regions (for example, Bavaria) require an HIV test before your approval. Furthermore, if an insurance claim is filed in Europe, the test results aren't necessarily protected/confidential. So it is advised to seek anonymous testing, if you would like to keep this information truly private.
There are many STD testing facilities in Berlin, though many of them are exclusively or almost exclusively for MSM (men who have sex with men). For this reason, it is best to confirm that a facility can test you in advance. We have provided a list below of facilities that test women (either all the time or on specific days).


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


The HPV vaccine was introduced to Germany in 2007. There's no PreP availability in Germany, as of 2015.
* Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning - Locations in Mitte & Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg. This is part of the public health service. Offers HIV testing and counseling for 10 euro; may potentially have tests for other STDs too (not confirmed).
**Mitte Details: Has Thai and Bulgarian translators on staff. Hours: Monday: 12:00 to 15:00, Tuesday: 15:00 to 18:00, Thursday: 15:00 to 18:00, Friday: 9:00 to 12:00. Contact Information: Gesundheitsamt – Beratungsstelle für sexuelle Gesundheit - Potsdamer Str. 65, 10785 Berlin, Tel.: (030) 263966930. Email: sti-hiv-bera@ba-mitte.berlin.de. More information: https://www.berlin.de/ba-mitte/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/zentren/artikel.248356.en.php
** Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg Details - Open Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri. Hours: Monday: 13:00 to 16:00, Tuesday: 09:00 to 12:00, Thursday: 13:30 to 17:30, Friday: 09:00 to 12:00. The appointment system is carried out exclusively by phone: Tel .: (030) 90298-8363 . Unfortunately appointments via email are not possible. Address" Urbanstr. 24, 10967 Berlin, Tel . (030) 90298-8363, Fax : (030) 90298-8350. Website: http://www.berlin.de/ba-friedrichshain-kreuzberg/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/fachbereiche/artikel.162503.php/
 
* Praxiscityost - Allows drop-ins and appointments; tests for HIV, Hepatitis, fungal and viral infections, and many STDs; Efficient and professional but expensive; some have said the clinic asked for 150 euro for a mere consultation. So contact in advance to get a better sense of prices. Contact: Gubener Straße 37 / 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain / Telefon 030.29 36 39 50 / info@praxiscityost.de. Website: http://www.praxiscityost.de/


===Costs===
* Profamilia Counseling Center, Berlin - Has walk-in hours and appointments, works with low-income people. Address: Beratungsstelle Berlin Road, Kalckreuthstr. 4 , 10777, Berlin, Phone: 030 39849898. Directions: "The counseling center is located in the North Schöneberg in Kalckreuthstraße 4, a small road connecting the Kleist and Motzstraße, exactly between the two underground stations Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz. By bus you can reach us with the lines 119, 146, 185, 187 to the stop Urania." Website: http://www.profamilia.de/angebote-vor-ort/berlin/beratungszentrum.html


==Menstruation==
* Berliner Aids-Hilfe e.V. - Offers anonymous HIV and syphilis tests. On Tuesdays, they only test for men who have sex with men (MSM), but on Wednesdays, women can be tested if they make an appointment in advance. Hours: Wednesday 14:30 to 18:30. For women and men, only by telephone arrangement. Reservations from Wednesday of the previous week, anonymously at 030/88 56 40-0 (on opening times Mon-Fri from 12:00 ).


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
* Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health - Does anonymous HIV tests for 20 euro. Postal address: August Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Campus - or Internal address:, Südring 2 - 3 t: +49 30 450 665 728, f: +49 30 450 565 930, https://tropeninstitut.charite.de/ambulanz/hiv_beratung/


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
* Blood Donation - For a free STD test (usually just HIV, Hepatitis and other blood-based diseases), you can donate blood. Call 0800 11 949 11 for more info.


You can easily find pads and OB tampons. Tampons with applicators can be found in select shops but it's much more difficult. For DivaCup, visit the Berlin location of Globetrotter (Schloßstraße  78-82, 12165  Berlin, Phone: 030/85 08 92 0, Website: www.globetrotter.de/). You can also buy online on German websites like Biogarten (http://www.biogarten.de/), MEDintim (https://www.medintim.de/), Washbaer (https://www.waschbaer.de/shop/), etc. The Mooncup is sold in Berlin the following locations: Lifelines (Bundesallee 117, 12161 Berlin, e-mail@Lifelines-berlin.de, Telephone: +49 30 85401548), Lebensfluss (Boxhagener Straße 13,10245 Berlin Phone: 030-60982382, www.lebensfluss.de) and Vielfalter (Brunnenstraße 147, 10115 Berlin Phone: 1787 610663).
* MORE INFORMATION: Check out the [http://hiv-schnell-test.de/?lang=en Berlin Project], which tries to find low-cost STD testing clinics in Berlin for every day of the week. Please note that the Berlin Project primarily serves the gay male community and drug users, mostly focusing on HIV, hepatitis and syphilis testing. But there may be some useful resources for anyone, even if they don't fit into the target demographic.


===Costs===
===Costs===


==Gynecological Exams==
All Germans and legal residents are required to have health insurance, so they may be covered through their insurance. For those who are uninsured, STD tests can vary from 200 euro (for consultation to testing and lab results) to 10 euro (for budget options). If you're looking for the cheapest option, go to Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning, which is run by the city and keeps costs low.
 
==Medications & Vaccines==


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
In Germany, every woman over the age of 20 is covered (either by private or public insurance) to receive a gynecological exam. These exams include a pap smear, pelvic exam, etc. If you go to a doctor in Germany and ask for an annual exam, they'll know what to do.


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


In German, "gynecologist" is "frauenarzt."
The HPV vaccine was introduced to Germany in 2007. There's no PreP availability in Germany, as of 2015.


===Costs===
===Costs===


==Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests & Support==
==Menstruation==


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
Important Note: If you are interested in long-term residency or citizenship in Germany, some regions (for example, Bavaria) require an HIV test before your approval. Furthermore, if an insurance claim is filed in Europe, the test results aren't necessarily protected/confidential. So it is advised to seek anonymous testing, if you would like to keep this information truly private.
There are many STD testing facilities in Berlin, though many of them are exclusively or almost exclusively for MSM (men who have sex with men). For this reason, it is best to confirm that a facility can test you in advance. We have provided a list below of facilities that test women (either all the time or on specific days).


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


* Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning - Locations in Mitte & Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg. This is part of the public health service. Offers HIV testing and counseling for 10 euro; may potentially have tests for other STDs too (not confirmed).
You can easily find pads and OB tampons. Tampons with applicators can be found in select shops but it's much more difficult. For DivaCup, visit the Berlin location of Globetrotter (Schloßstraße  78-82, 12165  Berlin, Phone: 030/85 08 92 0, Website: www.globetrotter.de/). You can also buy online on German websites like Biogarten (http://www.biogarten.de/), MEDintim (https://www.medintim.de/), Washbaer (https://www.waschbaer.de/shop/), etc. The Mooncup is sold in Berlin the following locations: Lifelines (Bundesallee 117, 12161 Berlin, e-mail@Lifelines-berlin.de, Telephone: +49 30 85401548), Lebensfluss (Boxhagener Straße 13,10245 Berlin Phone: 030-60982382, www.lebensfluss.de) and Vielfalter (Brunnenstraße 147, 10115 Berlin Phone: 1787 610663).
**Mitte Details: Has Thai and Bulgarian translators on staff. Hours: Monday: 12:00 to 15:00, Tuesday: 15:00 to 18:00, Thursday: 15:00 to 18:00, Friday: 9:00 to 12:00. Contact Information: Gesundheitsamt – Beratungsstelle für sexuelle Gesundheit - Potsdamer Str. 65, 10785 Berlin, Tel.: (030) 263966930. Email: sti-hiv-bera@ba-mitte.berlin.de. More information: https://www.berlin.de/ba-mitte/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/zentren/artikel.248356.en.php
** Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg Details - Open Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri. Hours: Monday: 13:00 to 16:00, Tuesday: 09:00 to 12:00, Thursday: 13:30 to 17:30, Friday: 09:00 to 12:00. The appointment system is carried out exclusively by phone: Tel .: (030) 90298-8363 . Unfortunately appointments via email are not possible. Address" Urbanstr. 24, 10967 Berlin, Tel . (030) 90298-8363, Fax : (030) 90298-8350. Website: http://www.berlin.de/ba-friedrichshain-kreuzberg/politik-und-verwaltung/aemter/gesundheitsamt/fachbereiche/artikel.162503.php/


* Praxiscityost - Allows drop-ins and appointments; tests for HIV, Hepatitis, fungal and viral infections, and many STDs; Efficient and professional but expensive; some have said the clinic asked for 150 euro for a mere consultation. So contact in advance to get a better sense of prices. Contact: Gubener Straße 37 / 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain / Telefon 030.29 36 39 50 / info@praxiscityost.de. Website: http://www.praxiscityost.de/
===Costs===


* Profamilia Counseling Center, Berlin - Has walk-in hours and appointments, works with low-income people. Address: Beratungsstelle Berlin Road, Kalckreuthstr. 4 , 10777, Berlin, Phone: 030 39849898. Directions: "The counseling center is located in the North Schöneberg in Kalckreuthstraße 4, a small road connecting the Kleist and Motzstraße, exactly between the two underground stations Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz. By bus you can reach us with the lines 119, 146, 185, 187 to the stop Urania." Website: http://www.profamilia.de/angebote-vor-ort/berlin/beratungszentrum.html
==Gynecological Exams==


* Berliner Aids-Hilfe e.V. - Offers anonymous HIV and syphilis tests. On Tuesdays, they only test for men who have sex with men (MSM), but on Wednesdays, women can be tested if they make an appointment in advance. Hours: Wednesday 14:30 to 18:30. For women and men, only by telephone arrangement. Reservations from Wednesday of the previous week, anonymously at 030/88 56 40-0 (on opening times Mon-Fri from 12:00 ).
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


* Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health - Does anonymous HIV tests for 20 euro. Postal address: August Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Campus - or Internal address:, Südring 2 - 3 t: +49 30 450 665 728, f: +49 30 450 565 930, https://tropeninstitut.charite.de/ambulanz/hiv_beratung/
In Germany, every woman over the age of 20 is covered (either by private or public insurance) to receive a gynecological exam. These exams include a pap smear, pelvic exam, etc. If you go to a doctor in Germany and ask for an annual exam, they'll know what to do.


* Blood Donation - For a free STD test (usually just HIV, Hepatitis and other blood-based diseases), you can donate blood. Call 0800 11 949 11 for more info.
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


* MORE INFORMATION: Check out the [http://hiv-schnell-test.de/?lang=en Berlin Project], which tries to find low-cost STD testing clinics in Berlin for every day of the week. Please note that the Berlin Project primarily serves the gay male community and drug users, mostly focusing on HIV, hepatitis and syphilis testing. But there may be some useful resources for anyone, even if they don't fit into the target demographic.
In German, "gynecologist" is "frauenarzt."


===Costs===
===Costs===
All Germans and legal residents are required to have health insurance, so they may be covered through their insurance. For those who are uninsured, STD tests can vary from 200 euro (for consultation to testing and lab results) to 10 euro (for budget options). If you're looking for the cheapest option, go to Center for Sexual Health and Family Planning, which is run by the city and keeps costs low.


==Pregnancy==
==Pregnancy==
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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


From Internations: "It is important to note that ob/gyn care in Germany distinguishes clearly between gynecologists and obstetricians (Geburtshelfer). In case you are going to have a baby, you will have your pre-natal checkups at your usual gynecologist in Germany; but they will only be present during the birth if they happen to work as an obstetrician at your hospital of choice as well" (Source: [https://www.internations.org/germany-expats/guide/15986-health-insurance/women-s-health-in-germany-16004 Women's Health in Germany, Internations]).
From InterNations: "It is important to note that ob/gyn care in Germany distinguishes clearly between gynecologists and obstetricians (Geburtshelfer). In case you are going to have a baby, you will have your pre-natal checkups at your usual gynecologist in Germany; but they will only be present during the birth if they happen to work as an obstetrician at your hospital of choice as well" (Source: [https://www.internations.org/germany-expats/guide/15986-health-insurance/women-s-health-in-germany-16004 Women's Health in Germany, Internations]).


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===
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==List of Additional Resources==
==List of Additional Resources==
==References==
<references />

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