Is contraception and family planning safe to use during the quarantine?

Yes. All modern contraceptive methods are safe to use anytime and anywhere, even during the enhanced community quarantine.

If you just gave birth in the last six months, have a health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or breast cancer, or you smoke, it’s best to consult a health care professional to ensure that your chosen contraceptive method is suitable and safe for you.

I don’t want to get pregnant yet during the quarantine. What can I do?

You should start or continue using your contraceptive method of choice if you do not want to get pregnant. Contacting a healthcare provider by cellphone or online may help you get access to information and contraceptive services.

If you can’t contact a healthcare provider as of the moment, you may use a contraceptive method that doesn’t need a prescription (such as condoms) from a pharmacy or drugstore near you.

I can’t access my contraceptive method of choice. What can I do?

If you can’t access your contraceptive method — maybe because you need a prescription or only a health worker provides it — consider using condoms or fertility awareness-based methods. You may also try contacting your healthcare provider to ask if they can provide you with a prescription through cellphone or chat.

What’s the best contraceptive method to use during the quarantine period?

All modern contraceptive methods effectively help prevent pregnancy, as long as you use it correctly and consistently. The best method of contraception is the one that works well for you.

There are a lot of modern methods of contraception to choose from. You may read more about them here.

Condoms, if used correctly all the time, are the only contraceptive method that prevents unplanned pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. They can also be used together with contraceptive methods to ensure protection against both pregnancy and STIs.

The Yuzpe Method is an emergency contraceptive method that can prevent up to 88% of pregnancies if done within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex. You can read more information about the Yuzpe Method here.

I want to change my contraceptive method — is it possible?

Yes. However, it may be difficult to access all contraceptive methods during the quarantine due to restrictions, limited supplies, and increased demands on health providers and services.

If you have a pre-existing health condition or you just gave birth and are breastfeeding, consult a healthcare provider to find out what options you can choose from, and which are available.

I want to remove or replace my IUD — can I do this during the quarantine?

Doctors may not prioritize removing long-acting methods such as IUDs during the quarantine. Seek advice from your healthcare provider about this.

If you can’t have your long-acting method removed due to the current situation of the country, it’s important to use another contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy at this time.

Delaying the removal of your long-acting method will not cause any medical problem. Do not try to remove it yourself; wait until you can go to your healthcare provider to have it removed.

Source:

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/contraception-family-planning-and-covid-19