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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
However, there are many restrictions, as views toward women's health are heavily influenced by Catholic Church doctrine. Contraceptives (birth control) is legal and can be purchased in pharmacies, with some brands being much cheaper than others. You can find birth control pills, condoms, shots, implants, IUDs, etc. in Manila. Emergency contraception (or "the morning after pill") is not permitted in the Philippines and Postinor, an emergency contraception, has been "delisted." However, women do use oral contraceptives as replacement emergency contraception (we provide details on this topic in the "Emergency Contraception" section). There are many places to receive STI tests, the majority of which seem to focus on HIV, but you can get other tests done. It is recommended to get STI tests at confidential clinics or private clinics, since the public hospitals will generally report your results and keep them on file. PrEP is available in the Philippines, as of January 2018. Regarding menstruation, you can find pads, pantyliners and tampons in Manila. If you are looking for menstrual cups, there may be one seller of Lunette in the Philippines, but your best bet is to buy menstrual cups online. The Philippines has begun to liberalize laws on maternity care in the past year. Finally, abortion is illegal and there is a prominent underground abortion industry, especially in Manila. While thousands of clandestine abortions are performed each year, many women die from botched abortions, as well, so it is recommended to exercise extreme caution if one is considering this path. | You will find many health care resources in the Philippines, and English is widely spoken. However, there are many restrictions, as views toward women's health are heavily influenced by Catholic Church doctrine. Contraceptives (birth control) is legal and can be purchased in pharmacies, with some brands being much cheaper than others. You can find birth control pills, condoms, shots, implants, IUDs, etc. in Manila. Emergency contraception (or "the morning after pill") is not permitted in the Philippines and Postinor, an emergency contraception, has been "delisted." However, women do use oral contraceptives as replacement emergency contraception (we provide details on this topic in the "Emergency Contraception" section). There are many places to receive STI tests, the majority of which seem to focus on HIV, but you can get other tests done. It is recommended to get STI tests at confidential clinics or private clinics, since the public hospitals will generally report your results and keep them on file. PrEP is available in the Philippines, as of January 2018. Regarding menstruation, you can find pads, pantyliners and tampons in Manila. If you are looking for menstrual cups, there may be one seller of Lunette in the Philippines, but your best bet is to buy menstrual cups online. The Philippines has begun to liberalize laws on maternity care in the past year. Finally, abortion is illegal and there is a prominent underground abortion industry, especially in Manila. While thousands of clandestine abortions are performed each year, many women die from botched abortions, as well, so it is recommended to exercise extreme caution if one is considering this path. | ||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In the Philippines, condoms and oral contraceptives (or "birth control pills") can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. While you technically do need a prescription for birth control pills, this does not seem to be widely enforced, meaning you can easily walk into a pharmacy and purchase birth control. | In the Philippines, condoms and oral contraceptives (or "birth control pills") can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. While you technically do need a prescription for birth control pills, this does not seem to be widely enforced, meaning you can easily walk into a pharmacy and purchase birth control.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception World Map]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth]</ref> | ||
According to a 2015 UN report, the most common forms of contraception used by married women were birth control pills (19.9%), withdrawal or the "pull out method" (11%), female sterilization (8.8%), the rhythm method (4.8%), contraceptive injectables (3.9%) and IUDs (3.6%). There was low usage of condoms (2%) and male sterilization (0.1%). Furthermore, there was practically no usage of contraceptive implants (0%) and vaginal barrier methods (0%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Today, approximately 37% of married women in the Philippines use modern contraception and 12% use traditional family planning methods (like withdrawal, the rhythm method and periodic abstinence).<ref>[https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/why-filipinas-cant-get-birth-controleven-though-its-now-free-by-law Why Filipinas Can't Get Birth Control—Even Though It's Now Free By Law]</ref> It is estimated that 17.8% of Filipina women (who are married or in unions, and of reproductive age) have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | According to a 2015 UN report, the most common forms of contraception used by married women were birth control pills (19.9%), withdrawal or the "pull out method" (11%), female sterilization (8.8%), the rhythm method (4.8%), contraceptive injectables (3.9%) and IUDs (3.6%). There was low usage of condoms (2%) and male sterilization (0.1%). Furthermore, there was practically no usage of contraceptive implants (0%) and vaginal barrier methods (0%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Today, approximately 37% of married women in the Philippines use modern contraception and 12% use traditional family planning methods (like withdrawal, the rhythm method and periodic abstinence).<ref>[https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/why-filipinas-cant-get-birth-controleven-though-its-now-free-by-law Why Filipinas Can't Get Birth Control—Even Though It's Now Free By Law]</ref> It is estimated that 17.8% of Filipina women (who are married or in unions, and of reproductive age) have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
There are conflicting reports on the legality of dedicated emergency | There are conflicting reports on the legality of the dedicated emergency contraceptive pill (the morning after pill) in the Philippines. While many people say that it's completely illegal and inaccessible, other people say that it is possible to obtain emergency contraception with a prescription. If you walk into a pharmacy in Manila and ask for emergency contraception, you'll typically be told that EC is not available in the Philippines. | ||
In the 1990s, Postinor (an emergency contraception brand) was registered in the Philippines. Yet, in 2001, Postinor was "delisted" by Filipino regulatory authorities. It is estimated today that 9.7% of Filipino women of reproductive age have knowledge of emergency contraception.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/philippines/ EC Status and Availability: Philippines]</ref> | Generally, when women in the Philippines need emergency contraception, most turn to what's sometimes call "The Nordette method." This is when you use oral contraceptives (birth control) as a replacement EC. To do this, they take a certain number of birth control pills, which has a similar effect as emergency contraception. You can see in the section below ("What to Get and Where to Get it") how this can done in the Philippines. | ||
Note: In the 1990s, Postinor (an emergency contraception brand) was registered in the Philippines. Yet, in 2001, Postinor was "delisted" by Filipino regulatory authorities. It is estimated today that 9.7% of Filipino women of reproductive age have knowledge of emergency contraception.<ref>[http://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/philippines/ EC Status and Availability: Philippines]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
There are no travel restrictions assigned to anyone with HIV or other STIs. As stated in the Republic Act, | There are no travel restrictions assigned to anyone with HIV or other STIs. As stated in the Republic Act, "Nobody will be quarantined, isolated, denied entry to the Philippines or deported from the country due to a confirmed or suspected HIV infection." Furthermore, it is legal to import antiretrovirals for personal use (for up to 6 months), though you should carry a prescription from a doctor. However, if you are seeking legal residency in the Philippines, you may be rejected if you are HIV+.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=144 PHILIPPINES - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> | ||
===Testing Facilities=== | ===Testing Facilities=== | ||
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=====Home Test Kits===== | =====Home Test Kits===== | ||
* [http://www.hivtestkit.ph/ HIV Test Kit]: | * [http://www.hivtestkit.ph/ HIV Test Kit]: This is a Filipino website/company that allows you to take an HIV test and see the results in the privacy of your own home. | ||
* Here's [http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/hometests.html more information on home test kits]. And here's the [http://www.oraquick.com/ Oraquick] website, which is one of the largest companies known to give kits for at-home HIV tests. | * Here's [http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/testing/hometests.html more information on home test kits]. And here's the [http://www.oraquick.com/ Oraquick] website, which is one of the largest companies known to give kits for at-home HIV tests. | ||
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* If you're interested in menstrual cups, you can check out [http://www.sinayacup.com/?v=4e45c2af0995 Sinaya Cup], which is a menstrual cup made in the Philippines and sold online for 1,999 pesos. You can also go to online stores like [https://tackthis.ph/shop/MamaBabyLove/product/lunette-menstrual-cup Mama Baby Love], which sells Lunette in the Philippines, or [https://www.liveloveluna.com/ LiveLoveLuna], which sells Lunette out of Singapore and ships throughout Asia. Also, certain Facebook groups, like [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipidnanay/ Tipid Nanay] and [https://www.facebook.com/groups/pasabuy/ Parent's Circle Pasa-Buy], have group buys of menstrual cups. There appears to be no official sellers of DivaCup, MoonCup or LadyCup, so those brands probably need to be purchased online. | * If you're interested in menstrual cups, you can check out [http://www.sinayacup.com/?v=4e45c2af0995 Sinaya Cup], which is a menstrual cup made in the Philippines and sold online for 1,999 pesos. You can also go to online stores like [https://tackthis.ph/shop/MamaBabyLove/product/lunette-menstrual-cup Mama Baby Love], which sells Lunette in the Philippines, or [https://www.liveloveluna.com/ LiveLoveLuna], which sells Lunette out of Singapore and ships throughout Asia. Also, certain Facebook groups, like [https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipidnanay/ Tipid Nanay] and [https://www.facebook.com/groups/pasabuy/ Parent's Circle Pasa-Buy], have group buys of menstrual cups. There appears to be no official sellers of DivaCup, MoonCup or LadyCup, so those brands probably need to be purchased online. | ||
Here are some organizations that work on menstrual issues: | '''Here are some organizations that work on menstrual issues:''' | ||
* [https://www.daysforgirls.org/ Days For Girls Manila]: "Days for Girls International is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit. Women, and girls discover their potential and self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene." Contact: kerryann@daysforgirls.org. Kerryann Feliciano, Leader, n/a, Co-Leader. "Team mostly consists of volunteers working from home and gathering occasionally." | * [https://www.daysforgirls.org/ Days For Girls Manila]: "Days for Girls International is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit. Women, and girls discover their potential and self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene." Contact: kerryann@daysforgirls.org. Kerryann Feliciano, Leader, n/a, Co-Leader. "Team mostly consists of volunteers working from home and gathering occasionally." | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/likhaanph/ Likhaan Center for Women's Health Inc]: This nonprofit organization aims to provide affordable services to lower-income women in the Philippines. They also can provide contraceptive shots/injectables, contraceptive implants, and IUDs. "Likhaan is a non-government, non-profit organization established in 1995 to respond to women’s expressed need for sexual and reproductive rights and health services." Call +63 2 926 6230. Email: office@likhaan.org. | |||
* [https://www.themedicalcity.com/ The Medical City]: This private, internationally-accredited hospital is probably the best medical facility in Manila. They appear to have 60 ob/gyns on staff, as of December 2018, and they have a Women's Health Floor (6th Floor) that focuses on a range of health issues. From the website: "The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers a wide scope of general and subspecialty inpatient and outpatient services that address every phase a woman experiences throughout her lifetime —from her pre-reproductive years through her childbearing and post-menopausal years. The Labor and Delivery Suite caters to all obstetrical and gynecological needs involving minor and major operations. This unique facility allows the department to offer many options during surgical procedures including great flexibility and safety in the birthing process." Address: Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (632) 988-1000, (632)988-7000. Email us: mail@themedicalcity.com | |||
* [https://www.stlukes.com.ph/ St. Luke's Medical Center]: This is also one of the best hospitals in Manila, and they have two locations (in Quezon City and Taguig City). It aims to be an internationally accredited academic medical center by 2020. From the website: "The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is committed to provide comprehensive, quality patient care in the specialty and sub-specialties of obstetrics and gynecology utilizing world-class technology, trailblazing research, and comprehensive training and education." Location 1 Address: St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City, 2nd Floor,Main Hospital, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave, Quezon City, Philippines. Phone: 723-0101 ext. 5542. Location 2 Address: St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City, 8th Floor, North Wing, Main Hospital Building, Rizal Drive cor. 32nd St. and 5th Ave, Taguig City, Philippines. Phone: 789-7700 ext. 7755 | |||
* [http://www.perpetualsuccorhospital.com/ Perpetual Succor Hospital and Maternity]: "Today after more than half a century of quality yet affordable service to the Filipino people, Perpetual Succor Hospital and Maternity is rated as secondary open hospital with 100 beds capacity." Address: 836 F. Cayco, Sampaloc, Manila, 1008 Metro Manila, Philippines. Phone: +63 2 731 1631. | |||
* [https://www.mmc.com.ph/ Metropolitan Medical Center]: 1357 G. Masangkay St. Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines. Tel: 254-1111. Fax: 123-456-7890. Email: it@metromedicalcenter.ph | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [https://www.themedicalcity.com/ The Medical City]: This private, internationally-accredited hospital is probably the best medical facility in Manila. They appear to have 60 ob/gyns on staff, as of December 2018, and they have a Women's Health Floor (6th Floor) that focuses on a range of health issues. From the website: "The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers a wide scope of general and subspecialty inpatient and outpatient services that address every phase a woman experiences throughout her lifetime —from her pre-reproductive years through her childbearing and post-menopausal years. The Labor and Delivery Suite caters to all obstetrical and gynecological needs involving minor and major operations. This unique facility allows the department to offer many options during surgical procedures including great flexibility and safety in the birthing process." Address: Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (632) 988-1000, (632)988-7000. Email us: mail@themedicalcity.com | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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The Reproductive Health (RH) Law allows women to receive humane medical care in the event of abortion complications, but this does not mean that all women receive proper care. Many women do not seek out care due to social stigma against abortion, or fear or legal ramifications. As written in the Guttmacher Institute report, "In the Philippines, most unintended pregnancies resulting in abortion are preventable, as is nearly all abortion-related mortality and morbidity. Better information on sexual and reproductive health, as well as access to effective contraception, can lower the incidence of unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the number of Filipino women who resort to unsafe abortion and experience the related health consequences. Investing in women’s health yields enormous benefits not only to women’s status and productivity, but also to their families and society as a whole."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences Unintended Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion in the Philippines: Context and Consequences]</ref> | The Reproductive Health (RH) Law allows women to receive humane medical care in the event of abortion complications, but this does not mean that all women receive proper care. Many women do not seek out care due to social stigma against abortion, or fear or legal ramifications. As written in the Guttmacher Institute report, "In the Philippines, most unintended pregnancies resulting in abortion are preventable, as is nearly all abortion-related mortality and morbidity. Better information on sexual and reproductive health, as well as access to effective contraception, can lower the incidence of unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the number of Filipino women who resort to unsafe abortion and experience the related health consequences. Investing in women’s health yields enormous benefits not only to women’s status and productivity, but also to their families and society as a whole."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences Unintended Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion in the Philippines: Context and Consequences]</ref> | ||
Personal | '''Additional Information and Personal Testimonials:''' | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S9oUu0R3sY Documentary on the Underground Abortions of the Philippines] | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S9oUu0R3sY Documentary on the Underground Abortions of the Philippines] | ||
* [https://subselfie.com/2014/07/01/abortion-a-true-story/ Abortion in the Philippines: A True Story] | * [https://subselfie.com/2014/07/01/abortion-a-true-story/ Abortion in the Philippines: A True Story] | ||
* [https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/208267-online-forum-sells-abortions-in-the-philippines Filipinas buy, sell, rate abortions in online forum] | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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* You can potentially get the "abortion pill" by mail. Check out [https://www.womenonweb.org/en/i-need-an-abortion this link] for details | * You can potentially get the "abortion pill" by mail. Check out [https://www.womenonweb.org/en/i-need-an-abortion this link] for details | ||
* You may be able to find the "abortion pill" in Manila. It has been noted on some online forums that you can find Cytotec (one of the active ingredients in the abortion pill) sold by street peddlers in some districts. They typically only sell Cyototec, which is one of the ingredients, so they sell you lots of pills to make up for the fact that the other active ingredients are not being sold. But beware: Some of the peddlers may sell counterfeit, unhealthy or ineffective medicine. This is generally not recommended. | * You may be able to find the "abortion pill" in Manila. It has been noted on some online forums that you can find Cytotec (one of the active ingredients in the abortion pill) sold by street peddlers in some districts. They typically only sell Cyototec, which is one of the ingredients, so they sell you lots of pills to make up for the fact that the other active ingredients are not being sold. But beware: Some of the peddlers may sell counterfeit, unhealthy or ineffective medicine. This is generally not recommended. | ||
* If you are interested in receiving a legal abortion, you may consider visiting [[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]] or [[Japan]], where they are legally performed. | * If you are interested in receiving a legal abortion, you may consider visiting [[Vietnam]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]], or [[Japan]], where they are legally performed. | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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==List of Additional Resources== | ==List of Additional Resources== | ||
* [https://www.doh.gov.ph/ Republic of Philippines - Department of Health] | |||
* [https://www.doh.gov.ph/family-planning Department of Health - National Family Planning Program] | |||
* [https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/philippines The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)]: "The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) is the largest and most prominent non-governmental family planning organization in the Philippines." | |||
* [http://pcw.gov.ph/ Philippine Commission on Women]: "The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns. As the oversight body on women’s concerns, the PCW acts as a catalyst for gender mainstreaming, authority on women’s concerns, and lead advocate of women’s empowerment, gender equity, and gender equality in the country." | * [http://pcw.gov.ph/ Philippine Commission on Women]: "The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns. As the oversight body on women’s concerns, the PCW acts as a catalyst for gender mainstreaming, authority on women’s concerns, and lead advocate of women’s empowerment, gender equity, and gender equality in the country." | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/metromanilapride/ Metro Manila LGBT Pride] | * [https://www.facebook.com/metromanilapride/ Metro Manila LGBT Pride] | ||
* [https://www.equaldex.com/region/philippines Equaldex - Philippines]: Information on LGBTQ rights and laws in the Philippines. | |||
* [http://www.loveyourself.ph/ Love Yourself]: "Our Mission: By embracing and nurturing our self-worth, we inspire others to do the same and create ripples of positive change in the community. Our Vision: A model community of MSM and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines." | * [http://www.loveyourself.ph/ Love Yourself]: "Our Mission: By embracing and nurturing our self-worth, we inspire others to do the same and create ripples of positive change in the community. Our Vision: A model community of MSM and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines." | ||
* Asian Women's Human Rights Council: P.O. Box 190, Manila, Philippines | * Asian Women's Human Rights Council: P.O. Box 190, Manila, Philippines | ||