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'''OVERVIEW'''  
'''OVERVIEW'''  


In Manila, you will find the most health care resources in the Philippines. 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. There are conflicting reports on the legality and accessibility of emergency contraception (see "Emergency Contraception" section). We do know that Postinor, an emergency contraception, has been "delisted." However, women do use oral contraceptives are replacement emergency contraception, and we provide details of how this works 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. There is no PrEP in the Philippines at this time. 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===


Contraception (or "birth control") can be purchased in the Philippines without a prescription. While you technically do need a prescription, this does not seem to be widely enforced. However, there have been many challenges to birth control access, especially from the powerful Filipino Catholic Church. For many years, birth control pills were not legal at all, and they were treated like illegal contraband, exchanged between women. When they finally were legalized, the Catholic Church strongly campaigned against their access. It is estimated that over 80% of the Filipino population is Catholic, and the Catholic Church is opposed to birth control. Today, 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>
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>


In 2000, the Mayor of Manila banned contraceptive distribution in all city-funded health centers, and the ban lasted for nearly a decade.<ref>[http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-01-22/catholic-leaders-battle-against-free-birth-control-philippines Catholic leaders battle against free birth control in the Philippines]</ref> In a turn of tide, the Filipino government signed the Reproductive Health Law, under President Benigno Aquino III, in 2012. This law required that schools provide sex education, and that health centers provide free condoms and birth control. This law was heavily challenged by the Church and religious organizations, such as the Alliance for Family Foundation Philippines, resulting in a 2-year legal battle. In the end, the Filipino Supreme Court upheld the Reproductive Health Law in 2014. Nevertheless, conservative forces managed to cut the government's budget for contraceptives, thereby making contraceptives more difficult for poor Filipino families to afford, soon afterward.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/06/philippines-axes-contraceptive-budget-birth-control Philippines axes contraceptive budget]</ref> Most recently, President Duterte has vowed to bring back family planning programs to the Philippines, insisting that Filipino families are too large and that the Catholic Church has kept the populace "in total ignorance" about birth control.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/27/philippines-tough-guy-leader-defies-catholic-church-on-birth-control/ Philippines tough-guy leader defies Catholic Church on birth control]</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>


The Philippines has one of the highest birth rates and maternal mortality rates in Asia. Teenage pregnancy has doubled in the past decade, and 10% of Filipina teenagers are wives or mothers.<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> Some of this can be explained by low levels of family planning knowledge and access. According to a Guttmacher Institute Study, "In the Philippines, 37% of all births are either not wanted at the time of pregnancy or entirely unwanted, and 54% of all pregnancies are unintended. On average, Filipino women give birth to more children than they want (3.3 vs. 2.4 children), highlighting how difficult it is for a woman to meet her fertility desires. This is particularly striking among the poorest Filipino women, who have nearly two children more than they intend to have (5.2 vs. 3.3 children)."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences UNMET NEED IS WIDESPREAD AND UNINTENDED PREGNANCY IS COMMON]</ref>
In the Philippines, there have been many challenges to birth control access, especially from the powerful Filipino Catholic Church. For many years, birth control pills were not legal at all, and they were treated like illegal contraband, exchanged between women. When they finally were legalized, the Catholic Church strongly campaigned against their access. In 2000, the Mayor of Manila banned contraceptive distribution in all city-funded health centers, and the ban lasted for nearly a decade.<ref>[http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-01-22/catholic-leaders-battle-against-free-birth-control-philippines Catholic leaders battle against free birth control in the Philippines]</ref> In a turn of tide, the Filipino government signed the Reproductive Health Law, under President Benigno Aquino III, in 2012. This law required that schools provide sex education, and that health centers provide free condoms and birth control. This law was heavily challenged by the Church and religious organizations, such as the Alliance for Family Foundation Philippines, resulting in a 2-year legal battle. In the end, the Filipino Supreme Court upheld the Reproductive Health Law in 2014. Nevertheless, conservative forces managed to cut the government's budget for contraceptives, thereby making contraceptives more difficult for poor Filipino families to afford, soon afterward.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/06/philippines-axes-contraceptive-budget-birth-control Philippines axes contraceptive budget]</ref> Most recently, President Duterte has vowed to bring back family planning programs to the Philippines, insisting that Filipino families are too large and that the Catholic Church has kept the populace "in total ignorance" about birth control.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/27/philippines-tough-guy-leader-defies-catholic-church-on-birth-control/ Philippines tough-guy leader defies Catholic Church on birth control]</ref>


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===
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* If you're interested in injectables, you can get them at public health centers, private clinics or women’s health clinics (with trained service providers). You should know that, in the Philippines, the injectables available are progestogen only, also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).<ref>[http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/gender-issues/87417-available-contraceptives-philippines Contraceptives in the Philippines: What to use, where to get]</ref>
* If you're interested in injectables, you can get them at public health centers, private clinics or women’s health clinics (with trained service providers). You should know that, in the Philippines, the injectables available are progestogen only, also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).<ref>[http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/gender-issues/87417-available-contraceptives-philippines Contraceptives in the Philippines: What to use, where to get]</ref>
* If you're interested in implants, you should be able to get them at private clinics or women’s health centers and organizations, such as Likhaan, St. Lukes and UP-Philippine General Hospital. There are reports that public health workers in Metro Manila are still being trained in how to handle them properly. However, Implanon access has been challenged and is supposedly very difficult to access due to the Catholic lobby.
* If you're interested in implants, you should be able to get them at private clinics or women’s health centers and organizations, such as Likhaan, St. Lukes and UP-Philippine General Hospital. There are reports that public health workers in Metro Manila are still being trained in how to handle them properly. However, Implanon access has been challenged and is supposedly very difficult to access due to the Catholic lobby.
* It's unclear if they're still open, but a great resource is [https://www.facebook.com/Likhaan-Center-for-Womens-Health-117231408351798/ Likhaan Center for Women's Health]. They have been advocates for women's access to contraceptives in the Philippines since the 1990s.
* You can get an IUD inserted at [https://www.facebook.com/Likhaan-Center-for-Womens-Health-117231408351798/ Likhaan Center for Women's Health]. They are recommended by locals and they've been advocates for women's access to contraceptives in the Philippines since the 1990s. To read a personal account of getting a Paragard IUD insertion at Likhaan (for free), click [https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/7pmxgi/copper_iud_insertion_manila/ here].


===Costs===
===Costs===
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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


There are conflicting reports on the legality of dedicated emergency contraception (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 EC with a prescription. We do know that, 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>
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.  


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.
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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If you have had unprotected sex, you can get an IUD (which may protect you up to 5 days after unprotected sex) or take the morning after pill (which may protect you for 3-5 days after unprotected sex). There are no dedicated morning after pills in the Philippines, but you can use hormonal birth control as replacement emergency contraception instead. To do this, you can go to a pharmacy, like Generics Pharmacy, Mercury Pharmacy or Watson's, and ask for any of the following pills. It's especially common to ask for Nordette in the Philippines. Follow the instructions below, provided by the [http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website].
If you have had unprotected sex, you can get an IUD (which may protect you up to 5 days after unprotected sex) or take the morning after pill (which may protect you for 3-5 days after unprotected sex). There are no dedicated morning after pills in the Philippines, but you can use hormonal birth control as replacement emergency contraception instead. To do this, you can go to a pharmacy, like Generics Pharmacy, Mercury Pharmacy or Watson's, and ask for any of the following pills. It's especially common to ask for Nordette in the Philippines. Follow the instructions below, provided by the [http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC Website].


You can use oral contraceptives as emergency contraception. If you want to use progestin-Estrogen combined pills, you should remember that, in in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used as EC. For the following pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:
You can use oral contraceptives as emergency contraception. If you want to use progestin-Estrogen combined pills, you should remember that, in in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used as EC. For the following pills, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later:<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
* Femenal
* Femenal
* Nordiol
* Nordiol


For the following pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:
For the following pills, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
* Charlize
* Charlize
* Lady
* Lady
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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, ""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>
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>


===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===Testing Facilities===
 
====Testing Facilities====


=====Home Test Kits=====
=====Home Test Kits=====


* [http://www.hivtestkit.ph/ HIV Test Kit]: The website seems to be down but the company may still exist. 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.
* [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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** Pasay: Address: Room 106, Pasay City Hall, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, Phone: +63 2 551 4180
** Pasay: Address: Room 106, Pasay City Hall, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, Phone: +63 2 551 4180
* [http://www.slh.doh.gov.ph San Lazaro Hospital - Department of Health]: "San Lazaro Hospital is a referral facility for Infectious/ Communicable Diseases. It is one of the retained special tertiary hospital of the Department of Health." Address: Quiricada St, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines, Phone: +63 2 732 3777.
* [http://www.slh.doh.gov.ph San Lazaro Hospital - Department of Health]: "San Lazaro Hospital is a referral facility for Infectious/ Communicable Diseases. It is one of the retained special tertiary hospital of the Department of Health." Address: Quiricada St, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines, Phone: +63 2 732 3777.
** Tip: "San Lazaro Hospital may look really scary and sketchy but it's the primary screening place for STIs especially for HIV. All labs even those from Visayas and Mindanao have to mail their results to San Lazaro for confirmation. So I'd suggest that." - [https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/6d6f67/where_can_i_get_free_stdsti_test_in_manila/ Where can I get free STD/STI test in Manila? - Reddit, 2017]


=====Private Facilities=====
=====Private Facilities=====
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* [http://www.themedicalcity.com/ The Medical City I-REACT Clinic]: Does HIV tests for 1135 PHP (as of 2016). "The Medical City (TMC) has distilled 48 years of experience in hospital operation and administration in the establishment of its world-class healthcare organization that serves some 40,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients a year. The main facility is located on a 1.5 hectare property along Ortigas Avenue in the business district of Pasig City, Metro Manila. It is composed of 115,000 square meters of floor space, and includes two Nursing Towers with capacity of up to 800 beds, joined by a Podium, bridge ways and a Medical Arts Tower." Address: Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Tel. Nos. (632) 988-1000, (632)988-7000, Email us: mail@themedicalcity.com.
* [http://www.themedicalcity.com/ The Medical City I-REACT Clinic]: Does HIV tests for 1135 PHP (as of 2016). "The Medical City (TMC) has distilled 48 years of experience in hospital operation and administration in the establishment of its world-class healthcare organization that serves some 40,000 inpatients and 400,000 outpatients a year. The main facility is located on a 1.5 hectare property along Ortigas Avenue in the business district of Pasig City, Metro Manila. It is composed of 115,000 square meters of floor space, and includes two Nursing Towers with capacity of up to 800 beds, joined by a Podium, bridge ways and a Medical Arts Tower." Address: Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Tel. Nos. (632) 988-1000, (632)988-7000, Email us: mail@themedicalcity.com.


====Support====
===Support===


According to HIV Travel: "Treatment is very expensive. Foreigners won't get any public financial support. Public hospitals cannot be recommended. The treatment is cheaper in public hospitals, but foreigners still have to pay for themselves."<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=144 PHILIPPINES - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>
According to HIV Travel: "Treatment is very expensive. Foreigners won't get any public financial support. Public hospitals cannot be recommended. The treatment is cheaper in public hospitals, but foreigners still have to pay for themselves."<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=144 PHILIPPINES - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


There is currently no PrEP available in the Philippines.
* There has been a nationwide '''HPV vaccination''' program in the Philippines since 2016.<ref>[http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/PHL.pdf Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases Report]</ref>
* '''Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)''' is available in the Philippines, as of January 2018. This is due to the joint efforts of many organizations, including Department of Health (DOH), Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), World Health Organization (WHO), and Love Yourself (TLY).<ref>[http://prep.ph/go/prep-is-in-the-philippines/go/prep-is-in-the-philippines/ PrEP in the Philippines]</ref> In an effort to help educate the public about PrEP, Love Yourself has put together an informational website, which can be viewed [http://www.loveyourself.ph/p/prep-basics.html here].


===Costs===
===Costs===
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* In Manila, you should be able to find pads, pantyliners and tampons. However, pads and pantyliners are much more common than tampons, and they're worn by the majority of Filipina women. If you want tampons, you should look for them in larger stores, especially international and chain stores, like Rustan’s Supermarket, Watson’s, Mercury Drugstore, S&R and the SM Department Stores.  
* In Manila, you should be able to find pads, pantyliners and tampons. However, pads and pantyliners are much more common than tampons, and they're worn by the majority of Filipina women. If you want tampons, you should look for them in larger stores, especially international and chain stores, like Rustan’s Supermarket, Watson’s, Mercury Drugstore, S&R and the SM Department Stores.  
* 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:'''
* [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."


===Costs===
===Costs===
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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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In January 2016, the Senate of the Philippines approved of a bill that would grant 100-day maternity leave to women in both the private and public sectors.<ref>[http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/01/19/1544175/100-day-maternity-leave-gets-senate-nod 100-day maternity leave gets Senate nod]</ref>
In January 2016, the Senate of the Philippines approved of a bill that would grant 100-day maternity leave to women in both the private and public sectors.<ref>[http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/01/19/1544175/100-day-maternity-leave-gets-senate-nod 100-day maternity leave gets Senate nod]</ref>
The Philippines has one of the highest birth rates and maternal mortality rates in Asia. Teenage pregnancy has doubled in the past decade, and 10% of Filipina teenagers are wives or mothers.<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> Some of this can be explained by low levels of family planning knowledge and access. According to a Guttmacher Institute Study, "In the Philippines, 37% of all births are either not wanted at the time of pregnancy or entirely unwanted, and 54% of all pregnancies are unintended. On average, Filipino women give birth to more children than they want (3.3 vs. 2.4 children), highlighting how difficult it is for a woman to meet her fertility desires. This is particularly striking among the poorest Filipino women, who have nearly two children more than they intend to have (5.2 vs. 3.3 children)."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences UNMET NEED IS WIDESPREAD AND UNINTENDED PREGNANCY IS COMMON]</ref>


===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 Experiences or Testimonials:
'''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]], [[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."
* Asian Women's Human Rights Council: P.O. Box 190, Manila, Philippines
* Asian Women's Human Rights Council: P.O. Box 190, Manila, Philippines
* Asian Women's Human Rights Council, Manila Secretariat: 4L Fil-Garcia Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Mailing address:  P.O. Box 1013 Citimall, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel: (632) 924-6406, Fax: (632) 924-6381, (632) 921-1044, (632) 443-8281, Email: awhrc@phil.gn.apc.org.
* Asian Women's Human Rights Council, Manila Secretariat: 4L Fil-Garcia Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Mailing address:  P.O. Box 1013 Citimall, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel: (632) 924-6406, Fax: (632) 924-6381, (632) 921-1044, (632) 443-8281, Email: awhrc@phil.gn.apc.org.
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