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{{setLocation | {{setLocation | ||
|Country=Finland | |Country=Finland | ||
|City=Helsinki | |City=Helsinki | ||
}} | }} | ||
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
Generally speaking, Finland has a high-quality health care system, and its public health care system is considered among the best in the world.<ref>[https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/study_finlands_health_care_system_among_best_in_the_world/10276968 Study: Finland’s health care system among best in the world]</ref> It is common for staff to speak Finnish, English<ref>[https://fi.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ US Embassy of Finland - Medical Assistance]</ref>, and other languages. The country has universal health care; all residents can access the health care system, which is funded through tax dollars.<ref>[https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/finland-student-insurance/healthcare-in-finland.php Healthcare in Finland]</ref> | |||
There are many forms of legal contraception available, including condoms, pills, patches, and IUDs. You don't a prescription for condoms, but it is required for most forms of contraception. You can access emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) without a prescription at pharmacies, and there are no age restrictions regarding who can purchase them. Regarding STIs, there are many clinics to receive tests for HIV and other STIs, and there are no travel or residency restrictions related to one's HIV status. There is also a wide variety of menstrual products available in Finnish stores, and the menstrual cup brand Lunette company is headquartered in Finland. | |||
The quality of health care at public hospitals and clinics tends to be very good, so many people use public facilities. However, private health care facilities are also available. We have included information on recommended health care facilities on this page. In addition, abortion is legally permitted under many circumstances in Finland, which are explained in the "Abortion" section. | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Finland, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at pharmacies. However, you need a prescription to obtain most forms of contraception, such as birth control pills, implants | In Finland, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at pharmacies. However, you need a prescription to obtain most forms of contraception, such as birth control pills, rings, patches, implants, and IUDs.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth?]</ref> You can obtain a prescription from a doctor at a health center (such as a hospital or clinic), family planning clinic, or from a private gynecologist. Once you have obtained a prescription, you can find contraception at pharmacies, [https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/socia-health/health/stations/ health stations], maternity clinics, and school health care centers.<ref name="helsinki-contraception">[https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/socia-health/health/other/contraception/ City of Helsinki - Contraception]</ref> | ||
In 2015, it was estimated that about 75% of Finnish women (who between ages 15-49, and married/in unions), which is roughly similar to the Northern European average (77%). It is estimated that about 8% of Finnish women have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> | In 2015, it was estimated that about 75% of Finnish women (who between ages 15-49, and married/in unions), which is roughly similar to the Northern European average (77%). It is estimated that about 8% of Finnish women have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> | ||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Tip: You can call the Centralised Contraceptive Advice Service for information (tel. 09 310 45566). | |||
* You can find '''condoms(kondomi)''' at many venues, such as supermarkets, pharmacies (apteekki), service stations, and kiosks. No prescription is required. Some brands you may find are RFSU, Sultan, Durex, Okamoto, Vitalis Super Thin, and SKYN.<ref>[https://www.kondomiverkkokauppa.fi/en_GB Popular Condoms]</ref> | |||
* You can find '''birth control pills (e-pilleri)''', including '''mini-pills (minipilleri)''', at pharmacies. You need to first obtain a prescription for the pill at a health clinic (terveysasema), a family planning clinic (ehkäisyneuvonta), or from a gynecologist. You can visit the health care provider alone or with a partner. Once you have a prescription, you can directly buy birth control pills from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.<ref name="finland-contraception">[https://www.infofinland.fi/en/living-in-finland/health/contraception Living in Finland - Contraception]</ref> | |||
* You can find the '''contraceptive patch (ehkäisylaastari)''' in Finland. You will need to obtain a prescription before you can buy the patch. You can obtain a prescription at a health clinic (terveysasema), a family planning clinic (ehkäisyneuvonta), or from a gynecologist. You can visit the health care provider alone or with a partner. Once you have a prescription, you can directly buy birth control pills from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.<ref name="finland-contraception" /> | |||
* You can find the '''contraceptive ring (ehkäisyrengas)''' in Finland. You will need to obtain a prescription before you can buy the ring. You can obtain a prescription at a health clinic (terveysasema), a family planning clinic (ehkäisyneuvonta), or from a gynecologist. You can visit the health care provider alone or with a partner. Once you have a prescription, you can directly buy birth control pills from the pharmacist at the pharmacy.<ref name="finland-contraception" /> | |||
* You can find '''IUDs/contraceptive coil (kuparikierukka)''' in Finland. There are both hormonal and copper IUDs available. You will need to visit a health care provider at a hospital, clinic, or family planning center in order to obtain and be fitted for the IUD.<ref name="finland-contraception" /> | |||
* You can find the '''contraceptive implant (ehkäisykapseli)''' in Finland.<ref name="finland-contraception" /> You will need to visit a health care provider at a hospital, clinic, or family planning center in order to receive the contraception. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* The city of Helsinki offers free condoms, which are available at health care units.<ref name="helsinki-contraception" /> | |||
* The city of Helsinki offers free first placement of IUD (copper or hormonal).<ref name="helsinki-contraception" /> | |||
* For those under 25 years old, the city of Helsinki offers certain contraceptive methods (i.e. birth control pills and vaginal rings) free of charge for one year.<ref name="helsinki-contraception" /> | |||
* For those under 25 years old, the city of Helsinki offers the IUD (copper or hormonal) and contraceptive implants free of charge.<ref name="helsinki-contraception" /> | |||
* For people who have just had an abortion or who are substance abuse service clients, the city offers free IUDs (copper or hormonal) and contraceptive implants.<ref name="helsinki-contraception" /> | |||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can find the '''HPV vaccine''' in Finland. There is a nationwide HPV vaccination program, which was launched in 2013.<ref>[http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/FIN.pdf Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases Report - FINLAND, December 2018]</ref> | |||
* You can find '''PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)''' in Finland, but most people access it in other countries, like Germany or Sweden, and bring it back to Finland. This is because PrEP is not currently subsidized by the government, as of 2018, so most people find it unaffordable (about 800 euros per month, as of 2018). Meanwhile, if people purchase PrEP in other EU countries, they can expect to pay around 50-70 euros per month.<ref>[https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finns_buying_hiv_prevention_drugs_from_germany_because_theyre_cheaper/10278286 Finns buying HIV prevention drugs from Germany because they're cheaper]</ref> <ref>[https://miestenkesken.fi/en/prep/ Checkpoint - PrEP]</ref> | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can find '''pads/pantyliners''' in supermarkets, pharmacies, and corner stores. | |||
* You can find '''tampons''' in supermarkets, pharmacies, and corner stores. | |||
* You can find '''menstrual cups''' in Finland. The global menstrual cup brand, [https://www.lunette.com/ Lunette], was founded in Finland. The cups are made in Finland with medical grade silicone. There are hundreds of stores that sell Lunette in Finland; you can view [https://www.lunette.com/pages/retailers this map] to find a vendor in your area. You can also contact Lunette via phone (+358 50 3554064) or email (info@lunette.fi). There are many online vendors that sell a variety menstrual brands, such as DivaCup, LadyCup, and Lunette, as well. For example, you can check out [http://www.pehmopeput.fi/ Pehmopeput], [https://www.ekolo.fi/ Ecoshop Ekolo], and [http://www.kestovaippa.fi/en/index2.htm Kanto], all of which are online shops that sell menstrual cups, among other products. | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Finland, there is a maternity, paternity, and parental leave policy, which is found in the Employment Contracts Act. According to the law, parents are entitled to take off 105 week days off. Under paternity leave, parents are entitled to take off 54 week days. Parents are entitled to take part time or part time parental leave, and the spouse or partner can take off time if the relationship is officially registered.<ref>[https://tem.fi/en/maternity-paternity-and-parental-leave Maternity, paternity and parental leave]</ref> | |||
Finland has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 3 deaths per 100,000 live births.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/LIBRARY/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2223rank.html CIA World Factbook - MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [http://www.hus.fi/en/medical-care/medical-services/maternity-services/Pages/default.aspx Helsinki University Hospital (HUS)]: "Approximately 18,000 babies are born in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District hospitals every year. Nearly every third Finn is born in a HUS hospital. HUS has four maternity hospitals: Hyvinkää, Espoo and Lohja Hospitals and the Women’s Hospital. In addition, Jorvi Hospital, Länsi-Uusimaa Hospital and Porvoo Hospital performs Maternity Outpatient Clinic operations, including ultrasound screenings. Treatment in the maternity hospital is family-oriented and baby-friendly, and is based on the wishes of the mother, while utilising modern monitoring devices." Tel. +358 9 4711 | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
The abortion laws in Finland can be found in Law No. 239 of 24 March 1970, which was amended in 1985. | |||
In the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, abortion is legally available under many circumstances, which include: if the pregnancy endangers the pregnant person's health or life, if the pregnant person is under 17 years old or over 40 years old, if the pregnant person has already given birth to 4 children, if the pregnant person is unable to take care of the child due to illness, or if the birth of the child would cause an undue burden or "strain" on the pregnant person.<ref name="infofinland_abortion">[https://www.infofinland.fi/en/living-in-finland/health/abortion InfoFinland - Abortion]</ref> <ref name="finnishabortionlaw_doc">[https://cyber.harvard.edu/population/abortion/Finland.abo.htm FINLAND. Law No. 239 of 24 March 1970 on the interruption of pregnancy]</ref> The definition of what is considered an undue burden or strain is rather open-ended, so this reason can apply to many people. | |||
In the first twenty weeks of pregnancy, abortion is legally permitted when the pregnancy endangers the pregnant person's health, if the pregnant person is under 17 years old, or if there is another reason that is approved by the National Board of Medico-legal Affairs. In the first twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, abortion is permitted when there is severe risk of fetal malformation, which has been detected. Finally, abortion is always permitted, no matter the stage of the pregnancy, when the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4773/abortion-law-finland Women on Waves - Abortion law Finland]</ref> <ref name="finnishabortionlaw_doc" /> | |||
Before an abortion is performed, it needs to be approved by one or two doctors (the norm is two doctors). Once you have received approval, you will receive the proper documentation, which is typically the AB 1 form, which is signed by the doctor. You will then be referred to a hospital to receive your abortion.<ref>[http://www.hus.fi/en/medical-care/medical-services/Gynecology/Termination_of_pregnancy/Pages/default.aspx HUS - Termination of pregnancy]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can find abortion services at health care facilities, such as hospitals or clinics. | |||
* [http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/ Väestöliitto]: Address #1, Iso Roobertinkatu 20-22A, Helsinki 00120; PO Box 849, Helsinki, 00101, Finland. Tel: +358(9) 228 050. Fax: +358(9) 612 12 11; Address #2: Kalevankatu 16 A, 2nd floor, Helinski, Finland. Tel: +358(9) 228 05264 | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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* [https://stm.fi/en/frontpage Ministry of Social Affairs and Health] | * [https://stm.fi/en/frontpage Ministry of Social Affairs and Health] | ||
* [http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/ "Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland)]: "Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland) is an umbrella organization for agencies working in the field of health and social affairs in relation to population and family policy issues. It offers free sex education services to young people through the Open House Youth Counselling Service which provides personal and telephone counselling on topics such as sexuality, contraception, and dating. It runs programmes in schools to highlight population and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues." | * [http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/ "Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland)]: "Väestöliitto (The Family Federation of Finland) is an umbrella organization for agencies working in the field of health and social affairs in relation to population and family policy issues. It offers free sex education services to young people through the Open House Youth Counselling Service which provides personal and telephone counselling on topics such as sexuality, contraception, and dating. It runs programmes in schools to highlight population and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues." | ||
* [http://www.naisunioni.fi/ Naisasialiito Unioni]: Email: toimistosihteeri@naisunioni.fi | |||
* [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/finland Finland - Family Planning 2020]: "In 2017, Finland committed an additional EUR21.3 million to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development also pledged an additional EUR20 million for She Decides, a global movement to promote, provide, and protect the rights of women and girls. The Finnish government also joined the call to action for the Global Roadmap for Data, Monitoring, and Accountability for Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Crises by signing a pledge to address the global data gap for SRHR of adolescents." | * [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/finland Finland - Family Planning 2020]: "In 2017, Finland committed an additional EUR21.3 million to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development also pledged an additional EUR20 million for She Decides, a global movement to promote, provide, and protect the rights of women and girls. The Finnish government also joined the call to action for the Global Roadmap for Data, Monitoring, and Accountability for Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Crises by signing a pledge to address the global data gap for SRHR of adolescents." | ||
* [https://www.equaldex.com/region/finland Equaldex China]: This website provides information on LGBTQ rights and laws in Finland. | * [https://www.equaldex.com/region/finland Equaldex China]: This website provides information on LGBTQ rights and laws in Finland. | ||