Women's Health - South Africans in Germany

Contraception

Contraception is available at pharmacies, but you will need a prescription from your gynaecologist for birth control pills, IUD’s and diaphragms.
Emergency contraception is also available at pharmacies and you do not need a prescription for that.
Public Insurance (GVK) does not cover contraception costs

Maternity

Public insurance GVK, covers all maternity costs, but some private insurers only offer it as an additional cost, so make sure you know what is covered by your plan.

Maternity Terminology

We created a searchable table to help you look up the German words you might need during and after your pregnancy.

Having a baby in Germany

Thinking of starting or expanding your family in Germany? Luckily the standard of German healthcare is very high and Germany has great maternity and paternity

Screening

Public Insurance (GVK) covers annual screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. You will usually need a referral (die Überweisung) from your GP, unless you are over 50, then you will get an invitation letter every 2 years for a Mammogram

Finding a Doctor

Finding a doctor can be a challenge especially if you are looking for an English-speaking doctor.
Specialists in gynaecology and obstetrics are called “Frauenarzte” and “Gynäkologe” and are the central contact persons for gender-specific diseases and other women’s concerns, such as Pregnancy, menstruation, family planning, contraception and preventive care.
The following websites can help in your search

Jameda
Med kolleg
Doctolib – can also book your appointment here

Vocabulary

English	German
birth control pills	die Antibabypille
Hormones	die Hormone
Infertility	die Unfruchtbarkeit
coil	die Spirale
condom	das Kondom
breasts	die Brüste
vagina	die Scheide
Pelvic floor	der Beckenboden
uterus	die Gebärmutter
menstruation	die Menstruation
Thyroid	die Schilddrüse
fallopian tube	die Eileiter
pregnancy	die Schwangerschaft
egg	das Ei
induced labour	die eingeleitete Geburt
waters broken	die Fruchtblase ist geplatzt
placenta	die Plazenta
episiotomy	der Dammschnitt
epidural	die Epiduralanästhesie
cervix	der Gebärmutterhals
Mammogram	das Mammogram
Ultrasound	Ultraschalluntersuchung
Pap Smear	Pap-Abstrich
Gynaecologist	der Gynägeloge die Gynägelogin der Frauenarzt die Frauenarztin
Endocrinology	die Endokrinologie

Resources on the web

Federal Ministry of Health
The Federal Joint Committee – decision making body of the joint self-government of physicians, dentists, hospitals and health insurance funds in Germany