Tallinn

Estonia / Tallinn

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

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 here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Estonia, 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, injectables, and IUDs.

In 2015, it was estimated that about 65% of Estonian women (who were ages 15-49 and married or in unions) used any form of contraception. This was markedly lower than the Northern European average, where about 77% of women use contraception. Furthermore, it was found that about 13% of women had unmet family planning needs, which was a higher rate than the Northern European average of about 7% of women with unmet family planning needs. The most common forms of contraception used by Estonian women were IUDs (22% of women), birth control pills (19% of women), and condoms (14% of women). For all other modern forms of contraception, there were low rates of usage. For example, vaginal barrier methods were used by less than 1% of women. There were practically no recorded users of contraceptive injectables (0% of women) or contraceptive implants (0% of women). However, some women did practice traditional contraceptive methods, such as the rhythm method (3% of women), withdrawal (2% of women), and other traditional methods (3% of women).

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Estonia, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is required and the are no age restrictions regarding who can purchase them. The use of emergency contraceptive pills is also rather common. It has been estimated that about 41% of Estonian women have ever used emergency contraception.

The Estonian government and social services have made efforts to provide educational resources on emergency contraception. The country has seen local guides published (such as "Ravimeetod – postkoitaalne kontratseptsioon" in 2005 and " Õpilase seksuaaltervis: Tegevusjuhend kooli tervishoiutöötajale" in 2007), which focus on emergency contraceptive use. Young people can also find information on emergency contraceptives when they visit youth counseling services. In addition, health care professionals (such as gynecologists, family doctors, and health personnel at schools) often let people know about emergency contraceptive options when they receive general consultations or checkups.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, and they are sold over-the-counter. Some brands you may find are Escapelle, Postinor Duo, and ellaOne.
• Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

Costs

• Emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are not reimbursed or covered by Estonian social security. For this reason, you'll probably need to pay the full price of the pills at pharmacies. However, you may be able to find reduced costs for pills at women's clinics or special programs.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Estonia, there are no known travel or residency restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. This means that you can enter the country, regardless of your HIV status, and you should not be deported if you test positive for HIV while you are in the country.

Testing Facilities

• AIDS-i Tugikeskus (AIDS Infornation and Support Centre): They provide: "HIV – testing, HIV pre- and post test counselling, consulting about sexually transmitted diseases (STD-s) for public in general and youth; possibility of anonymous HIV/STD testing, treatment of STD-s, etc." Address: Kopli 32, 10412 Tallinn, ESTONIA. phone/fax +372 6413165. e-mail: aids@tugikeskus.ee
• Testikodus.ee: "TESTIKODUS.EE is an environment for fast, discrete and safe testing for the most common venereal diseases in Estonia. Testing can be performed for the following diseases: Urogenital chlamydiosis (Chlamydia), Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis, Herpes viruses (HSV1, HSV2), Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma genitalium). From Testikodus.ee home page requested test(s) can be selected. After making a choice, the orderer will receive the sampling kit in a suitable way, and then the sample should be taken... The sample should be sent to the laboratory, where the test results will become clear during 5 days max (usually 2 workdays)."

Support

Treatment

• Lääne Tallinna Keskhaigla, Merimetsa nakkuskeskus (Hospital for infectious diseases): Paldiski mnt. 62, 10617 Tallinn, Doctors in charge: Dr. K. Zilmer, Dr. M. Raukas, Phone: +372 659 8586; 659 8524, Registry phone: 1314.
• Tartu Ülikooli Kliinikum (Tartu University Clinic): L. Puusepa 1a, 50406 Tartu. E-mail: kliinikum@kliinikum.ee
• Narva Haigla, Nakkushaigusteosakond (Narva Hospital, infectious diseases section): Karja 6, Narva, Doctors in charge: Leonid Sizemski. Phone +372 3548802
• Ida-Viru Keskhaigla, Puru Haigla (North East Central Hospital, infectious diseases section): Ravi 10, 30322 Kohtla-Järve, Doctor in charge: Jelena Shmidt. Phone: +372 3322188.

NGOs & General Resources

• Confidential hotline: 645 5555 (24 h; Estonian & Russian)
• Eesti HIV-positiivsete võrgustik (Estonian Network of PLWH): They provide peer support, consultations on adherence to ARV treatment, care, support, education, trainings. Address: Mardi 3, 10145 Tallinn, Phone: +372 56506316, Contact person: Mr. Igor Sobolev, E-Mail: eesti.hpv@gmail.com
• LIGO (Life is Going On, NGO for women): Mardi 3, 10145 Tallinn. Phone: +372 6607302. Contact person: Ms. Irina Moroz. E-Mail: info@ligo.org.ee
• NGO Convictus Eesti: They provide needle exchange and drug user consultation. Postal address: Merivälja tee 1-K102, 11911 Tallinn, Estonia, Phone (office): (+372) 6 410 133, E-mail: convictus@convictus.ee . Address: Narva mnt. 46 Tallinn. Open every day 13.00-21.00 . Phone: (+372) 6414107.
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Estonia: "AHF has operated in Estonia with help from the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV) since early 2009. Through the partnership, people living in areas most affected by the epidemic are able to receive rapid HIV testing, free condoms, and referrals to healthcare providers if they test positive. In 2013, AHF and EHPV opened an HIV treatment clinic at the epicenter of the epidemic, Narva; a city severely impacted by the confluences of socioeconomic depression and widespread drug use. The clinic was the first AHF clinic in the EU and is also a meeting site for support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS."
• ESPO Society (PLWH in Estonia): Mardi str.3, 10145, Tallinn, Estonia. Phone +372 660 7707. Mob. +372 525 6449. Contact person: Slava Vasiljev. E-mail: slava@aids.ee
• AIDS Support Centre: Kopli 32, 10412 Tallinn, Estland. Phone +372 641 3165. Fax +372 641 3165. Contact person: Ms. Svetlana Denks
• Estonian Association "Anti-AIDS": Hiiu 42, 11619 Tallinn, Estland. Phone +372 251 4360. Fax +372 670 6814. Contact person: Ms. Ludmilla Priimgi

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Estonia, abortion is legally available upon request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Termination of Pregnancy and Sterilization Law. Furthermore, abortion is legally available in the first 22 weeks of pregnancy when the pregnancy causes physical issues for the pregnant person, if the baby has a high risk of severe mental or physical disabilities, if the pregnant person has a disease or heath issue that would prevent them from bringing up the child, or if the pregnant person is under 15 years old or over 45 years old.

List of Additional Resources

• Ministry of Social Affairs
• Eesti Seksuaaltervise Liit / Estonian Sexual Health Association: "As Estonia’s leading advocate of family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), the Estonian Sexual Health Association has chosen to focus particularly on sex education for young people."
• Equaldex - Estonia: Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Estonia.