Quito

Ecuador / Andean Highlands / Quito

OVERVIEW

Contraception

Laws & Social Stigmas

Birth control pills are readily available at pharmacies without a prescription. You will typically find generic pills, like Microgynon, or brand name pills like Yaz or Yasmin. It is estimated that over 70% of Ecuadorian women of reproductive age (who are married or in unions) use some form of modern contraceptive. However, the conservative government of President Correa has threatened many of the protections granted to women's health care. As reported by PRI, "...many of his critics argue that his policies toward women are among the most conservative in Latin America. Women’s groups in Ecuador say they’ve been losing a series of hard-won rights since Correa first came into office in 2007." For example, Correa's government reorganized a government agency responsible for reducing teen pregnancy (Estrategia Nacional Intersectorial de Planificación Familiar y Prevención del Embarazo en Adolescente), and he appointed an anti-abortion, pro-abstinence activist to manage it.

What to Get & Where to Get It

While you should be able to buy contraceptives in most pharmacies, here are some recommended pharmacies in Quito:

• Fybeca - This is a large chain of pharmacies that's considered reliable & is typically open 24/7. You can call Fybeca's toll-free line (tel. 1800/2392-322) 24 hours a day for home delivery.
  • North: Fybeca Plaza de Toros: Av. Amazonas N54-82 and Tomás de Berlanga (Tel: 593-2-245-9082 / 244-5175 / 246-1706)
  • Central: Fybeca Benalcazar: Av. 6 de Diciembre 4012 and Irlanda.
  • South: (Fybeca El Recreo, Centro Comercial El Recreo, Av. Maldonado 1era Etapa, Tel: 593-2-265-9427 / 261-3647).
• Ways - Open 24 hours with many branches
• Farmacia Vancouver - Owner speaks English and people have had positive experiences. Address: Alemania, Quito, Ecuador. Phone: +593 2-254-5887

Emergency Contraception

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

Laws & Social Stigmas

Emergency contraception is available in Ecuador. In public health clinics, you can typically get EC without a prescription (and free of charge). However, at pharmacies or private clinics, a prescription is required. There seems to be no age restrictions on acquiring EC. In 2006, the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court prohibited the sales of Postinor 2, a popular emergency contraceptive brand, and this ban remains in place today. However, there are may other brands (see details below), which are accessible in Ecuador. In 2013, it was ruled by National FP regulations that EC would be available to all women in public health clinics, free of charge.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can call it "la píldora del día después" ("the morning after pill" in Spanish). For dedicated, progestin only EC, there's Escapel, Glanique 1 and Impreviat (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). Other dedicated, progestin-only brands are Glanique, PostDay, Pregnon and Tace (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). If you don't have access to EC, you can use some oral contraceptives as EC. You can use Neogynon, Ovral or Primovlar (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can also use Lo-Femenal, Nordette or Norvetal (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).

Since you can get free EC with no prescription at public hospitals, here's the list of public hospitals in Quito:

• Baca Ortiz (Children's Hosp.). Address: Av. Colón y Av. 6 de Diciembre. Phone: 2222097
• Eugenio Espejo (big and good medicians teams) . Address: Av. Gran Colombia near National Congress Building center. Phone: 2507907/ 2230212
• Pablo Arturo Suarez old and small one . Address: Angel Ludeña y Machala (San Carlos neighborhood). Phone: 2292642/ 2598101
• Enrique Garces or Hospital del Sur. Address: Chilibulo y Av. Enrique Garces. Phone: 2660252
• Maternidad Isidro Ayora. Address: Av. Gran Colombia y Sodiro. Phone: 2224502
• Carlos Andrade Marín. Address: 18 de Septiembre y Bogota. Phone: 2564939
• SOLCA (Sociedad De Lucha Contra Cáncer). Address: Av. Eloy Alfaro. Phone: 2419775
• San Juan de Dios Shelter. Address: Av. Occidental (El Tejar). Phone: 2280542

Costs

The price of EC should be about $7.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

Recommended Gynecologists and Obstetricians from Viva Travel Guides:

• Dr. David Cabezas, Torre Medica 2 (behind the Hospital Metroplitano), Tel: 02-245-9808 / House phone: 02-246-6732
• Dr. Alfredo Jijon, Centro Meditropoli, Mariana de Jesus and Calle B, Office 215, 593-2-246-6314 ext. 205, E-mail: ajijon@hmetro.med.ec

Recommended Hospitals from Viva Travel Guides:

• Hospital Metropolitano, Av. Mariana de Jesus and Nicolas Arteta, Tel: 02- 399-8000, ext. 2153
• Hospital de Clinicas Pichincha, Paéz N°22 - 160 between Ramirez Davalos and Ventimilla, Tel: 02-299-8700/256-2296, E-mail: info@hcp.com.ec
• Hospital Voz Andes, Villalengua 267 and 10 de Agosto, Tel: 02-225-2164
• Hospital Militar, Queseras del Medio 521 and Av. Gran Colombia, Tel: 02-256-8020/256-8024
• Clinica de la Mujer, Av. Amazonas and Gaspar de Villarroel, Tel: 02-245-8000/8372, E-mail: admisiones@clinicadelamujer.com.ec