My contraception... more affordable than ever

Eighty percent of the cost of contraceptives covered for women under 25 years of age

Easy access to safe, reliable methods of contraception is a major factor in responsible family planning and reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

Acknowledging the fact that young people are particularly susceptible to encountering these problems, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Fund (Caisse nationale de santé - CNS) have signed an agreement to improve access to contraceptives.

The agreement entered into force on 1 January 2012 and entitles young women under 25 years of age, and with a prescription, to 80 % of the cost of contraceptives that do not require medical intervention, such as the pill, vaginal rings, and patches, for 13 cycles of contraception a year.

Intrauterine devices and implants – which require medical intervention to be fitted – are excluded from this new measure.

This initiative follows on from the move several years ago to make condoms more affordable, particularly in dispensers in secondary schools.

Beneficiaries of the new initiative

• Young women under 25 years of age registered with the health insurance system in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
• As previously, any other women who need contraceptives but are uninsured or unable to afford the remaining amount can contact Family Planning centres (Planning familial), where they will be entitled to free consultations, laboratory tests and contraceptives.

National programme to promote emotional and sexual health

Improving access to contraceptives is part of an extensive national programme to promote emotional and sexual health, an initiative currently being drawn up by the Ministries of

Health, Family Affairs, Education, Equal Opportunities and Family Planning, in collaboration with several other partners working with young people.

The main objectives of the national programme are to:

• promote and provide information on emotional and sexual health;
• adopt a healthy attitude towards sex;
• improve access to a better choice of reliable contraception;
• reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases;
• prevent sexual violence and abuse.