Hello women and men who live alongside women. Today, let’s learn about the options and costs of birth control in Malaysia.
This guide is divided into the following sections:
- Section one: preventative (how to avoid getting pregnant),
- Section two: access to emergency contraception (where to get morning-after pill), and
- Section three: how and where to get an abortion in Malaysia (I don’t want you to get to this stage but I’d rather you not die with DIY methods, so)
I wrote this article in collaboration with Jasmine King, sex-positive advocate and Let’s Red Talks, a Twitter-based sex education group. Aside from birth control, they also talk about periods, reproductive health and all those good stuff.
Some notes:
- All cost figures are estimates, based on multiple sources, including Reddit threads (like this one and this one). It varies depending on the type of institution you go to – pharmacies, public/private hospitals or local/specialist clinics.
- Birth control IS NOT the same thing as STD (sexually-transmitted disease) or STI (sexually-transmitted infection) prevention. Only abstinence and condoms help prevent STDs and STIs.
- Access to birth control is legal in Malaysia. There are no official laws stipulating certain marital status is required. Any doctor that denies you simply because you’re unmarried has no right to do so. If they refuse to provide services, simply go to another doctor who is unbiased
Without further ado, scroll down to the sections you need.
Section one: Preventative birth control in Malaysia
The methods are sorted from least to most costly. Data about effectiveness were taken from the Planned Parenthood website.
#0 – Abstinence, the rhythm method or the withdrawal method
What is it:
- Abstinence method: Much like its name, this is when an individual completely abstains from having sexual intercourse.
- Rhythm method: This is when an individual tracks their reproductive cycle to see when their fertile window is. The “fertile window” is when a female is most vulnerable to pregnancy due because those days are near when ovulation would occur. “Ovulation” is when the egg is released from the ovary. Those who use the rhythm method would engage in sexual intercourse during the days which are not part of their fertile window.
- The withdrawal method: Also known as the “pull-out method”, this is when the male would ejaculate outside of the vagina to avoid a pregnancy from occuring.
Cost: None, but taking a test to find out ovulation period for the rhythm method can cost you RM12 to RM20 per test
Effectiveness:
- Abstinence: 100% if there’s no sexual activity. But the reality is ‘intentions to abstain from sexual activity often fail’
- The rhythm method: 76-88% effective
- The withdrawal or pull-out method: 78% effective
The theory behind these methods make sense, but don’t rely on them. If you’re sexually active, add on another birth control method. See #1-7 below.
#1 – Condoms
What is it: The male condom is used over the man’s erect penis. It may be made of latex, polyurethane or polyisoprene. For those allergic to latex, there are specialised condoms made of lambskin available. It is the most common contraceptive used by couples worldwide.
The condom is the only form of birth control method that not only prevents pregnancy but also the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) like HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Note: Female condoms exist, but not available/sold in Malaysia as far as we could tell.
Effectiveness: 85% and even LOWER if you don’t know how to put it on correctly
Cost of condoms in Malaysia:
- Male condoms: Ranges from RM6 for a 3-pack box, RM20 per 12-pack box and onwards. Sometimes even distributed for free at health clinics.
Where to get it: Pharmacies, convenience stores or online stores like Lazada or Shoppee. Always buy well-known trusted brands like Durex or One Condoms.
#2 – Birth control pills (Oral Contraception)
What is it: Birth control pills are a kind of medicine with hormones to stop ovulation. No ovulation means there’s no egg hanging around for sperm to fertilise, so pregnancy can’t happen.
Birth control pills come in one pack (either for 21 days or 28 days) and need to be taken daily and exactly at the same time for it to be fully effective. It is usually taken for the next 21 days after your period has ended.
When a pack is finished, you take a break for 7 days (to allow the period to happen) before starting a new pack/box. Some brands have 28 pills in them, with 7 pills being placebo pills – pills with no hormones, taken only by those who have problems keeping track of when they need to take the new box.
Effectiveness: 91%
Cost of birth control pills in Malaysia:
- Pharmacies: RM10-55 per month (1 box supply)
- At government clinics: FREE or RM1 (Locations of Klinik Nur Sejahtera)
Where to get it: Pharmacies. Ask for Yaz, Yasmin and Dienille (latest one in the market; can be found in Caring Pharmacy). EDIT: See the comments section for feedback from readers
#3 – Birth control shot/injection
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What is it: The birth control shot, Depo-Provera, is a hormonal injection that prevents unplanned pregnancy for three months at a time. The hormone in this shot is progestin.
The birth control shot works similarly to the birth control pill. It prevents ovulation and increases the mucus buildup around the opening of the cervix.
Effectiveness: 94%
Cost of birth control shot in Malaysia:
- RM18-36 per shot (effective for up to 3 months per shot)
- At government clinics: FREE or RM1 (Locations of Klinik Nur Sejahtera)
Where to get it: Private clinics, OBGYN or government clinics.
#4 – IUD
What is it: “IUD” stands for “intrauterine device”. It’s shaped like a “T”, a bit bigger than a 5 cents coin and fits inside your uterus. Pregnancy is prevented by stopping the sperm from reaching and fertilising the eggs. Once inserted, it can last from 3 to 10 years depending on what kind of IUD you have gotten.
Effectiveness: 99%
Cost of IUD in Malaysia:
- Hormonal IUD: RM80-110 (effective for up to 3-6 years, depending on the brand). Removing it will cost approx RM20
- Copper IUD: RM600 at a specialist centre (effective for up to 10-12 years)
- At government clinics: FREE or RM1 (Locations of Klinik Nur Sejahtera)
Where to get it: Private clinics, OBGYN or government clinics.
#5 – Hormonal implants
What is it: Hormonal implant or contraceptive implant is a tiny tube which is placed (‘implanted) under the skin of the upper arm. It releases hormones that significantly reduce the chance of pregnancy
Effectiveness: 99%
Cost of hormonal implants in Malaysia: RM500 (effective for up to 3 years). Removing it will cost approx RM100.
Where to get it: Private clinics, OBGYN or government clinics.
#6 – Vasectomy
What is it: Sterilisation method for men; minor surgery which blocks sperm from leaving the testis
Effectiveness: 99%
Cost of vasectomy is Malaysia:
- RM300-500 (under LPPKN; call them for more info)
- RM2k-6k for private (based on RoR readers)
Where to get it: Private or government medical centres
#7 – Tubal Ligation
What is it: Sterilisation method for women; surgery which blocks or removes part of the Fallopian tubes
Effectiveness: 99%
Cost of tubal ligation is Malaysia:
- Unknown – please comment if you have the figures
Where to get it: Private or government medical centres
Section two: Access to emergency contraception in Malaysia
#1 – Morning-after pill (Plan B or Emergency Contraception)
What is it: Pill taken by the woman after exposure of semen in vagina, such as condom breakage. You have to take it up to 5 days after the incident. Not recommended to take it too often as there may be side effects.
Effectiveness: It is estimated that Postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
Cost of morning-after pill in Malaysia: RM5-RM53
Where to get it: Pharmacies. Ask for Postinor-2, Escapella or Ella.
Section three: how and where to get an abortion in Malaysia
Please visit the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia page and this informative Reddit thread for medical and surgical abortion options.
Cost of abortion in Malaysia: The abortion pills, for termination of pregnancies under 9 weeks, is RM350. We lack information on cost of surgical abortion in Malaysia (please comment if you have this info). EDIT: See the comments section
If its too late for abortion but you/your partner don’t want to keep the baby, please call Talian Kasih at 15999 so you can give them up for adoption. If anonymity is important, ask for locations of baby hatches to leave the baby behind in safe conditions.
Last words on birth control in Malaysia
Are you on birth control? Which one(s)? Why did you pick that option? Was it easy to get? How much was it? How did you discuss it with your partner (if you discuss at all).
Share your experience in the comments section. Information on birth control in Malaysia is not the easiest to get – I need your help to make this article more comprehensive.
Lastly, do check out and follow Jasmine King and Let’s Red Talks to learn more about this important topic. Feel free to share other sex education platforms you think is useful too.
Stay safe kids.
12 comments
Hi Soraya,
About the cost of a surgical abortion, I had one in January 2018 at a private clinic in Pandan Indah that charged me RM1000. It was rather quick, having gone in the morning to have the pill administered, then return after 3 hours for the surgical procedure. Apart from the cramping once the sedation wore off, there were no other side effects. Hope this helps.
Thank you Devon for sharing the process and cost for surgical abortion at private clinic in Klang Valley. I’m very sure your sharing will help others
I use a birth control pill called Micrognon 30 which only cost about RM 10 per box for 21 days. Available over the counter at most major pharmacies. I usually get mine from Alpro.
Thank you Joyce for sharing cost of your birth control pills!
I’ve been using contraception pills called marvelon, it cost below 20ringgit I think. Can get it at any guardian and pharmacies.
Also, it’s important to monitor the side effects. Every woman react differently to the contraceptive pills. Some woman said that they gained weight, more acne, and hormonal etc. But I find it perfect and effective for me
Hi Zara,
Thanks for commenting here. Yes you’re right, side effect is something to take into consideration
Contraceptive pills: pay RM1 at government clinic.
Implant insertion: RM500 for insertion and another RM100 for taking out.
Condoms: RM1 for every 12 pieces if not mistaken.
All kind of BC are effective enough if the individual is discipline and realise the responsibility follows if there are accidents like forgot taking the pills, not using condoms etc. Often if unwanted pregnancy occurs, they will say “dah rezeki” with heavy breathe.
Thanks for commenting here, Shuhada! The condom price is so much cheaper than pharmacies omg
Helpful article! Good writing, Suraya 👍
Thanks, Wina!
Hi, I used to be on Yaz which is around RM50 at Alpro for about a year but I stopped and changed to Yasmin (RM45.90 @ Guardian) bcs Yaz had worsened my acne issue. It is important to monitor the side effects and get doctor to check whether you need to change to a different brand or not 🙂
Thanks for your input, Tee! The hormonal side effects sound scary a bit..