The Contraceptive Ring in Chile

The ring is a small, bendable insert that is left in the vagina for three weeks at a time and taken out for the fourth week. It prevents pregnancy in two ways: it releases hormones that prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, and it thickens the cervical mucus to block sperm from getting to the egg in the first place.

Is the ring widely available in Chile?

Yes, in Chile the ring is available for purchase at pharmacies and most healthcare NGOs.

Do I need a prescription to buy the ring in Chile?

Yes, you do need a prescription to access the ring in Chile.*

Is there any age restriction for accessing the ring in Chile?

No, in Chile there’s no age restriction to get access to the ring.

How much does a ring cost in Chile?

In 2021, the ring could be purchased for $14.000 to $21.990 Chilean pesos, depending on the brand.

What are the different ring brands available in Chile?

The most widely available brands in Chile are Sortifem, Exelring and Nuvaring.

Who can I contact for more information about the ring in Chile?

For more information, you can contact APROFA (aprofa.cl), an NGO with more than 50 years of experience in the defense of sexual and reproductive rights; the Central Supply Center of the National Health Services System – CENABAST (cenabast.cl), a decentralized public institution under the Ministry of Health; the Chilean Institute of Reproductive Medicine – ICMER (icmer.org) or the National Cancer Corporation – CONAC (conac.cl). And in case you want to purchase this contraceptive, you may check out pharmacies such as Cruz Verde (cruzverde.cl), Salcobrand (salcobrand.cl), Ahumada (farmaciasahumada.cl) and Dr. Simi (drsimi.cl).

Where can I read more about this method?

If you want to get further information about the birth control ring, click here.

What can I do in the case of an unplanned pregnancy?

Visit safe2choose.org to speak with an expert counselor about the abortion options available in Chile. Counselors can also be contacted via email (write to info@safe2choose.org) or via live chat at safe2choose.org/abortion-counseling

*Although the Chilean legal framework requires a prescription for the ring, the Institute of Public Health made the regulations more flexible to facilitate access during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the pharmaceutical chemist of each pharmacy has the power to waive the prescription in the case of contraceptives.