Seksuaalisuus

Family Planning

Help with family planning and contraception can be obtained through contraceptive advice given at the health centre.

Contraceptives are sold in pharmacies, shops and newsagents.

Information on Different Forms of Contraception

Gynaecology Services

Ask your local health centre about gynaecological check-ups or contact a private medical centre directly. Women can request to see a female doctor. Pregnancy tests can be taken either at health centres or at home with tests available from the pharmacy.

Information on pregnancy is available on the page When You Are Pregnant.

Sexually transmitted diseases (Sukupuolitaudit)

If you suspect you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, contact your local health centre.

Finnish AIDS Counciloffers support to those with HIV, their loved ones and those concerned about becoming infected. Nationwide telephone counselling in Finnish, Swedish and English Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3.30 p.m. tel. +358 (0) 207 465 705. Further information on the Info Bank Sexuality webpages.

Living Well with HIV+ (Elämä hiv-positiivisena), brochure (468 kb, pdf)
English
French
Somali
Russian

Protect Yourself! (Suojaa itsesi), brochure (935 kb, pdf)
English
French
Somali
Thai
Russian

Abortion

Abortion is allowed in Finland in cases where childbirth will cause a health risk for the woman or if pregnancy and childbirth would cause a significant strain on the woman’s life. Women under 17 years of age and over 40 years of age are allowed to request an abortion on the basis of their age.

Abortion must be performed before the twelfth week of pregnancy. If there is an extremely strong reason, it can be performed later, but a special permit granted by Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) is then required. Valvira’s permission is also required if the abortion is performed due to the serious illness or impairment of the foetus. Ask a doctor at your health centre (terveysasema) for more information.

Circumcision

Circumcision of girls is illegal in Finland. Performing a circumcision on a girl may lead to several years of imprisonment. Information on the topic in the following languages:

English
Finnish
Swedish
Somali

Circumcision of boys is available, although a boy who has reached schooling age cannot be circumcised against his will. Some municipalities perform circumcision of boys in public health care for health reasons only. Circumcision must be performed under conditions where sufficient medical expertise, hygiene and pain relief is guaranteed.

Sexual orientation and sexual identity

According to Finnish law, nodoby shall be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation, sexual identity or sexual expression. SETA or Sexual Equality promotes equality, reports lack of equality and provides different kinds of services, including counselling and support for people who belong to sexual minorities and their loved ones.

In Finland, two people of the same sex can also make their relationship official. More information on the topic is available on the websites of the Ministry of Justice and SETA ry.

Information on legalising a partnership of foreigners is available in the following languages:

Finnish
Swedish