Emergency contraception (EC) is available in Estonia: LNG EC and the use of IUD for EC are included in national guidelines for family planning, and local pharmacies distribute EC without a prescription, but it is not reimbursed or covered by social security. Since June 2017, UPA EC is also available from pharmacies.
- Sexual & reproductive health background information
- Accessibility & prescription status
- Cost
- Guidelines & common practices
- EC use
Sexual & reproductive health background information
| Female population aged 15-49 | Mean age at first sexual intercourse | Mean age at birth of first child | Total fertility rate | % use of modern contraceptive methods during last intercourse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate | 301,1451 | 17.62 | 26.83 | 1.643 | 80.7%4 |
| Year | 2012 | 2010 | 2012 | 2012 | 2007 |
Accessibility & prescription status
In Estonia, LNG EC is available over the counter from pharmacies, which means that EC can be purchased without a prescription. UPA EC is registered in the country since 2015 and since June 2017 is available in the market.
Cost
| Type of EC | Approximate Cost | Brand(s) Available |
|---|---|---|
| LNG | € 15,79 | Escapelle, Postinor Duo |
| UPA | € 18,73 | ellaOne |
The cost of LNG and UPA EC is not reimbursed or covered by social security in Estonia.
Guidelines & common practices
The Estonian Sexual Health Association disseminates locally relevant guides, such as the ICEC/FIGO guidelines of 2012, and the World Health Organization’s Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, in 2015.
In addition, Estonia has several local references that are developed to guide EC use and provision. Ravimeetod – postkoitaalne kontratseptsioon, published in 2005 by Haldre and Part when EC became available over the counter, provides recommendations on LNG EC pills. Õpilase seksuaaltervis: Tegevusjuhend kooli tervishoiutöötajale, published in 2007 also by Haldre and Part, serves as guidelines for school health personnel on students’ sexual health and includes recommendations on LNG EC pills. Suukaudne hormonaalne kontratseptsioon, published in 2003 by Haldre and Karro are guidelines for the family doctor on oral hormonal contraception use and includes recommendations on LNG EC pills and the use of IUD for EC.
General information about EC is often provided during regular consultations by personnel at youth counseling services, and it is sometimes provided during regular consultations by gynecologists, family doctors, and health personnel at schools. Health care providers do not require a pregnancy test or a pelvic exam before prescribing EC.
EC use
| Ever use of EC | EC use in the last 12 months | % with no prescription | Repeated use of EC in last 12 months | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate | 41,3%4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Year | 2014 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Sources
1 Statistics Estonia. Retrieved 1 August 2013, from http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/Saveshow.asp.
2 Trummal A, Gluškova N, Murd M. HIV-i temaatikaga seotud teadmised, hoiakud ja käitumine Eesti noorte hulgas. Tallinn: Tervise Arengu Instituut 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2013, from http://www.tai.ee/valjaanded/trukised-ja-infomaterjalid?limit=10&filter_catid=30&filter_year=0&filter_typeid=0&filter_languageid=3&filter=&filter_order=p.publish_year&filter_order_Dir=DESC.
3 Eesti Meditsiiniline Sünniregister ja Raseduskatkestusandmekogu (Estonian Medical Birth Registry). Retrieved 1 August 2013, from http://www.tai.ee/et/tegevused/registrid/meditsiiniline-sunniregister-ja-raseduskatkestus-andmekogu.
4 Lippus H, Laanpere M, Part K, Ringmets I, Rahu M, Haldre K, Allvee K, Karro H. Estonian Women’s Health 2014: sexual and reproductive health, health behavior, attitudes and use of health care services. Survey report. University of Tartu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2015.
Last update: June 2017
