Hormonal IUD in Chile.

The hormonal IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device, which is placed inside the uterus (womb) and releases a progestogen hormone to prevent pregnancy. It lasts 3, 4 or 5 years, depending on the type, and is 99% effective.

Is the hormonal IUD widely available in Chile?

Yes, in Chile the hormonal IUD is available in some public hospitals and health centers and in most healthcare NGOs. It can also be purchased in pharmacies.

Do I need a prescription to buy a hormonal IUD in Chile?

Yes, you do need a prescription to access a hormonal IUD in Chile.*

Is there any age restriction for accessing the hormonal IUD in Chile?

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

How much does a hormonal IUD cost in Chile?

The hormonal IUD is available free of charge at some public hospitals and health centers in Chile. In 2021, it could be purchased from an NGO for between $140.000 and $168.000 Chilean pesos, whereas in pharmacies it might cost up to $215.000 Chilean pesos.

What are the different hormonal IUD brands available in Chile?

The most widely available brands in Chile are Mirena and Kyleena.

Who can I contact for more information about hormonal IUD 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 hormonal IUD, 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 Hormonal IUD, 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.