Colombo: Difference between revisions

In Sri Lanka, you can purchase birth control pills without a prescription. You can also access other forms of contraceptives, such as implants, condoms, etc. In the 1970s, Sri Lanka emphasized sterilization as a contraceptive method. But, since the 1980s, Sri Lanka has increasingly emphasized reversible contraceptive methods. This helped bring down the total birth rate in the 1990s. In 1987, it was estimated that 31% of Sri Lankan women had unmet family planning needs. By 2007, this dropped to a range between 1.6% (by narrowest definition) to 19.3% (under the broadest definition of unmet needs). As reported by the Guttmacher Institute: "Reliance on traditional contraceptive methods declined between 1987 and 2007, whereas modern method use increased (from 41% to 53%). This greater reliance on modern contraceptives was facilitated by the increased availability of reversible methods, as reflected by a shift in the ratio of sterilization to reversible modern methods from 3 to 1 in 1987 to 1 to 2 in 2007."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/article_files/4120015.pdf Unmet Need for Family Planning in Sri Lanka: Low Enough or Still an Issue?]</ref>

* You can buy condoms in pharmacies, shops or supermarkets. You can also [https://www.wow.lk/mall/buyonline/health-beauty-sexual-wellness/?Ns=sku.inventoryAvailability%7C0 buy condoms online] from the online store Wow.lk, a Sri Lankan company. They sell brands like Preethi, Life Style and Durex, ranging in price from Rs 50-230. You should remember that Durex, Moods and FPA are the good brands. There are many other cheap brands that aren't recommended. FPA Preethi is the cheapest (most basic) condom that is widely used in Sri Lanka.

* You can obtain birth control pills in Sri Lanka without a prescription at pharmacies. The leading brand in Sri Lanka is Mithuri, which is a combined oral contraceptive. Other brands you can expect to see are Eugynon, Ovral, Microgest, Microgynon and Nordette.

* You can get condoms for 1/3 of the price of Durex at [www.fpasrilanka.org/ Family Medical Practice]. They have a range of condoms.

* Regarding IUDs, one local has reported: "IUD's are a fairly popular option, especially the copper one because it's long lasting and affordable. I know several friends who were offered it after giving birth, and I personally was offered it twice when I saw two doctors about birth control options (not married). I had mine (copper) inserted at [http://www.ninewellshospital.com/ Nine Wells Hospital] in one of the labour rooms (very clean), and then my second one under anaesthesia at [http://www.asirihealth.com/asiri-group/our-locations/asiri-surgical-hospital-plc Asiri Surgical Hospital] (operation theatre). My doctor also offered to do it at Joseph Frazer Memorial Hospital but I would have had to buy the IUD from an agent and bring it with me, which I found a little strange so I went with the Nine Wells, where I just paid for it in my final bill."