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==Contraception (Birth Control)==
==Contraception (Birth Control)==
[[File:Marvelon saudi.png|300px | thumb|left|frame|'''Marvelon pills at a Saudi pharmacy''']]
[[File:Nuvaring saudi.png|200px | thumb|right|frame|'''Nuvaring at a Saudi pharmacy''']]


'''General Note:''' There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control here].
'''General Note:''' There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control here].


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
[[File:Marvelon saudi.png|300px | thumb|left|frame|'''Marvelon pills at a Saudi pharmacy''']]


In Saudi Arabia, you can access and purchase birth control at pharmacies. While official sources state that you need a prescription to obtain birth control,<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]</ref> local sources (for example, a local blogger and a private conversation with a pharmacist) say that you don't need a prescription.<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> This means that, in most cases, you can walk into a pharmacy and purchase contraceptives, such as pills or patches, without a prescription. Furthermore, you typically don't need to show a marriage certificate. While you may technically need to be married to obtain contraceptives, this isn't usually enforced. Based on our conversation with a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, as well as our online research through personal blogs,<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> we have found that, in most cases, you don't need to show a marriage certificate in order to purchase contraceptives in Saudi pharmacies. However, this is not to say that you have zero chance of being asked for a prescription or a marriage certificate, so one should be aware that such things can happen.
In Saudi Arabia, you can access and purchase birth control at pharmacies. While official sources state that you need a prescription to obtain birth control,<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]</ref> local sources (for example, a local blogger and a private conversation with a pharmacist) say that you don't need a prescription.<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> This means that, in most cases, you can walk into a pharmacy and purchase contraceptives, such as pills or patches, without a prescription. Furthermore, you typically don't need to show a marriage certificate. While you may technically need to be married to obtain contraceptives, this isn't usually enforced. Based on our conversation with a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia, as well as our online research through personal blogs,<ref>[http://thearabmode.com/expat-birth-control-contraceptives/ BIRTH CONTROL, CONTRACEPTIVES, VIAGRA, CONDOMS IN SAUDI ARABIA]</ref> we have found that, in most cases, you don't need to show a marriage certificate in order to purchase contraceptives in Saudi pharmacies. However, this is not to say that you have zero chance of being asked for a prescription or a marriage certificate, so one should be aware that such things can happen.
[[File:Nuvaring saudi.png|200px | thumb|right|frame|'''Nuvaring at a Saudi pharmacy''']]


As a markedly conservative country, the rate of contraceptive use is not particularly high. The women of Saudi Arabia tend to use contraceptives at a lower rate than other Gulf countries, such as [[United Arab Emirates]] or [[Qatar]]. However, the rate of usage is roughly comparable to [[Oman]].<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, it was found that 36.8% of Saudi women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use some form of contraception, and 24.1% of Saudi women have unmet family planning needs. The most common methods were found to be IUDs (11.6%), condoms (6.6%), birth control pills (6.5%),  and female sterilization (4.2%). There were very low rates of usage for injectables (1.2%) and implants (0.1%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Nevertheless, it should be noted that Saudi women certainly do use contraceptives, and an estimated six million birth control pills were purchased in 2013.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/news/saudi-arabia/609426 SR108m spent on birth control pills]</ref>  
As a markedly conservative country, the rate of contraceptive use is not particularly high. The women of Saudi Arabia tend to use contraceptives at a lower rate than other Gulf countries, such as [[United Arab Emirates]] or [[Qatar]]. However, the rate of usage is roughly comparable to [[Oman]].<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, it was found that 36.8% of Saudi women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use some form of contraception, and 24.1% of Saudi women have unmet family planning needs. The most common methods were found to be IUDs (11.6%), condoms (6.6%), birth control pills (6.5%),  and female sterilization (4.2%). There were very low rates of usage for injectables (1.2%) and implants (0.1%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> Nevertheless, it should be noted that Saudi women certainly do use contraceptives, and an estimated six million birth control pills were purchased in 2013.<ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/news/saudi-arabia/609426 SR108m spent on birth control pills]</ref>  

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