Moving abroad is an exciting new start. When many of us decide to take that big step, more often than not, finding accommodation and work are considered priorities and rightly so. However, for women, one of the most underrated and overlooked things to take into consideration when planning to live abroad or travel is birth control. Whether you are planning to start your new expat life or looking to take a gap year and travel the world, below are some aspects you should consider when managing your contraception abroad.
It is estimated that up to 5.5 million British expats are currently living abroad . The most popular destination by far is, you’ve guessed it, Australia with a grand total of nearly 1.3 million Britons living down under in 2013. However, countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain and New Zealand also boast a Brit or two as well.
It’s worth getting to know the rules and regulations surrounding contraception before you leave. Luckily the internet has made this task much easier.
Just because contraception is legal and easily accessed in the UK and other countries it doesn’t mean it’s actually available over the counter, or that the person behind the till will be willing to give it to you when you’re abroad. You may need a prescription, which is not always the easiest of tasks, particularly if you’ve only just landed. The map below shows which countries provide over the counter access to contraception.
The process in Australia is similar to Britain: you require a prescription after being approved by a doctor to get your medication. Listen up though: foreign prescriptions can be accepted in certain surgeries. This means you can ask your doctor for a prescription slip and hand it to an Australian doctor then the pharmacy to approve. This could save you time if that’s an issue. Brands can vary in different countries so make sure you list the following:
You can get your doctor to write this on your prescription slip for you to avoid error. This list is good to note for all countries.
Another point worth noting: you will likely have to pay up to $30 for your contraception – in contrary to the UK, for example, where it is all free of charge. If you’re passing through over a couple of months, it will be best to arrange your contraception before your trip.
Or at least find out what your current contraceptive is called in your new home. Your current pill, patch or ring may not be available there and if you’ve come to love it switching might not be on your to-do list. However, switching brands does not mean compromising on effectiveness and maybe you’ll find a new type of contraception that works just as well.
If you take the pill or mini pill keep a close eye on your health. Vomiting and diarrhoea, which may well occur due to different foods, hygiene and water standards, can interfere with the efficacy of the pill. If you vomit two hours after taking your pill you’ll need to use condoms for seven days. That goes for stomach upsets too. Persistent illness should be followed by seven days of barrier contraceptive. If you are ill and need antibiotics you should double check to see whether they stop the pill from working. Which leads us nicely too...
Emergency contraception is not easy to find in all countries, nor is it legal worldwide - some Latin American countries don’t allow the morning after pill for example. If you’ve moved somewhere remote, the chances of getting hold of emergency contraception are low. You need to take the morning after pill within 24 hours for it to be 95% effective. The percentage drops as time goes by.
Abortion laws are different in every country , and it can even be illegal. As they can change over time make sure you inform yourself. See how contraception is so important when you’re moving? The consequences are high, so it’s worth getting organised! It is also important to realise that contraception is not just used by to prevent pregnancy, but also is used by some women for secondary benefits.
When you move abroad finding a good doctor is invaluable. Ask around for recommendations once you’re settled in. An understanding doctor that speaks English is a gem in the early days (and beyond). Language barriers can cause all kinds of problems when discussing medical history and you may find you’re denied the pill because of a misunderstanding about your family blood pressure traits. The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers can help you with your healthcare while you are abroad.
Single ladies may find they are not treated well when accessing contraception, even by doctors. This may come as a culture shock for those of us used to accessing contraceptives as par for the course.
It makes good sense to take plenty of contraception with you when you move or travel aboard. If you’re travelling, you can order up to six months in advance. If you time this with your departure date, this may cover you for your entire trip. To make sure you are not at risk of pregnancy or STIs, condoms are also essential.
Your regular type of contraception can be bought in advance and packed too. It’ll see you through the initial settling-in period. It could be hard to get a prescription abroad till you know the ropes; if there’s an emergency situation time is of the essence.
When you count out hormonal contraceptives, like the pill, take into account skipping some periods. Many women do this and that’s not a bad idea considering the stress you may be under. Three skipped periods is a month’s worth of pill - factor that into your maths and order up accordingly!
The pill is time sensitive. There’s a eight-hour time difference between London and the east coast of Australia for example. The mini pill has a two hour window. Set your alarm or change the day you take the pill BUT use barrier contraception in the meantime for at least seven days. The patch and vaginal ring are not affected by switching time zones.
If you are travelling by air, particularly long haul, remember that the risk of deep vein thrombosis rises if you use hormonal contraceptives. Reduce your risks by moving frequently and wearing anti-embolism stockings.
The point is, if you’re moving or travelling abroad contraception needs to be on your ‘to-do’ list. Take as much contraception with you as you think you need and then some more. You will eventually figure out the rules, regulations and places to source your contraception locally, but before that happens ensure you don’t slip up. Remember, any country can have different regulations so don’t assume that if a country is similar to your home country in some ways, that it will be similar when obtaining contraception.