Hey everyone, just wanted to share my experience getting birth control here in Japan. I know it can be confusing trying to figure it out, especially as a foreigner.
I’m 30, never been pregnant, and I decided to get an IUD. At first I wanted the copper one, but turns out it’s very hard to find in Japan. So I ended up going with Mirena, which is the hormonal type.
First visit was just a checkup. The doctor told me to come back on the 5th–7th day of my period for the actual insertion. I went back on the 7th day. Since I’ve never been pregnant, he said I needed to use this sponge-like thing (kinda like a tampon) to soften and open my cervix, make it less painful before the procedure. Pain level was like a 3/10, not bad, just uncomfortable. I had to keep it in for 3 hours while waiting at the clinic. I also took Eve QuickDX, an ibuprofen, that I brought to the clinic myself after.
When it was time for the actual insertion, it was surprisingly quick, maybe 5 minutes total, and the pain was like a 2/10 for me. Afterwards, they gave me antibiotics to take for two days.
The doctor was okay. He did suggest I take birth control pills instead, but I insisted getting an IUD. I can speak Japanese, which probably helped a lot with communication.
💸 Total cost: ¥72,600 (including meds, w/o insurance)
📅 Follow-ups: after a week, then monthly for 3 months, 6 months, and yearly after that.
If you’re not confident in Japanese, the language barrier can be tough. You might end up relying on Google or online forums (which, honestly, I did too), but please, ask your doctor questions directly. Even if they look a little annoyed or impatient, ask anyway. That’s what I did.
My doctor was this older guy, definitely not the warm, friendly type. Not the usual Japanese “customer service” experience. But still, I made sure to ask about everything, what to expect, how it might feel, what to watch out for. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re the patient. It’s your body. You have every right to ask questions and make sure you’re comfortable.
Overall, the experience was pretty good! It just takes a bit of research, patience, and confidence to communicate what you want. Hope this helps someone out there thinking of getting an IUD in Japan 💪💕
by DryEstablishment2907