BC Abroad

[Deleted]

I've got a doctor's appt. coming up and have been wondering if I should try to change BC methods before moving to Shanghai this fall. I currently use the Nuva Ring and have been extremely happy with it, but I am concerned I won't be able to get it in Shanghai, and I'm not sure about bringing a large supply with me and having to get more later.

I'm curious what all of your experiences have been obtaining BC if you're willing to share. What forms are available where you are, was it hard to get ahold of, was it the same brand you were using in the U.S. if you were in the U.S. before?

Thanks!

[crimsonandclover]

Hopefully some of the women who have lived in China will be able to give you more specific tips. My experience in Germany was that I had to go a German OB to get a prescription for the BCP. It was no big deal and in Germany they use the same brands as in the States.

[aMrsin09]

I had/have a 5 year Mirena. I haven't had to worry about prescriptions or brands of tampons!

When it was time to replace it in Australia, I just went the normal route of going to the family planning clinic. Here you don't see a GYN unless you have a serious problem. The clinic or your GP takes care of routine visits.

[Deleted]

I went to a doctor in France and got a similar BCP to what I had before. I would suggest stocking up on your nuvaring so that you have a couple of months to find a gynecologist and can get a prescription there. But then again, I've never been to China

[jigginjessica]

I'm living in China. Wish I could answer your question, but I'm not on BC. I have a feeling that the nuvaring would be difficult to get, but you definitely won't have a problem finding other kinds of BC. In Hong Kong they sold were selling Yasmin and other brands OTC in Circle K! I haven't really looked closely for it in Suzhou/Shanghai though.

ETA: with the one(ish) child rule and attempts at population control, BC, condoms, and, from what I've read, even abortions are pretty easy to come by.

[jennybee1018]

I'm in Doha, and all birth control is sold over the counter, so I've had no issues obtaining it - but the selection is slightly smaller than I'd like. I recently found Yaz though, so I'm happy about that. Plus it's super cheap!

[GilliC]

Will you have international medical insurance (so you can go to the ex-pat hospitals in Shanghai)?

In Beijing I was able to get my exact birth control brand from the pharmacy at the ex-pat hospital. It wasn't anything particular uncommon, but considering I've heard of the Nuva Ring, I would think you have a good chance of getting it.

Maybe you could contact the ex-pat hospitals in Shanghai and ask about it specifically? Or post the question on a Shanghai-specific forum?

And as Jessica mentioned, birth control is so common in China that if you decide to change methods, there are a lot of options and a lot of experience. It's the only place I've ever seen highway billboards advertising for vasectomy clinics!

[tktravels]

I've not been to China, so I may not be of much help at all.

When I was living in Morocco, I could get just about any type of medication at the pharmacy without a doctor's order. I used to take the generic of Desogen bcp, and was able to find the same thing in Morocco, and only paid $1 for the same pack I paid $60 (with ins!) in the US. I was living in rural Morocco, and I doubt they had nuvaring there.. although perhaps in Casa or Rabat they would.

In preparing to move to Poland, I had to stockpile a few month's worth of bc because here, you can't just waltz into the pharmacy and get whatever you want. I was planning on going off the pill and making a baby while here, so I never bothered to try to get bc here. I know that all over the EU, you have to have an rx for the medication.

I've also traveled in Bangladesh and Colombia, and had reason to visit pharmacies both trips and was able to walk in and get whatever I wanted.

As others have mentioned, stocking up at home if you can is always a good idea.

Good luck with your move and your bc hunt!

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone for your input!
jiggin I've heard about how you can buy BC just on regular store shelves - boggles my mind a little, but how convenient.
GilliC We have an international health plan so we can use the ex pat hospitals in Shanghai. I think I might make my husband call up the clinic he's used so far and ask them about Nuva Ring and about the other prescriptions I'm on currently.

Thanks again!