5.2 Family planning The modern FP methods are well known and accepted in Hungary. There exist only partial or estimated data because there are no national statistics about the use of contraceptive methods in Hungary. The OC is the most wide-spread method in the whole country. A increase in IUD use has been observed, because the women are often afraid of OC complications. The increased use of condoms is likely due to the AIDS-propaganda and recently the use of traditional or natural methods is more preferred.
Oral contraceptives are only available in clinics and pharmacies.
IUD insertion is only performed in hospitals, and sterilisation is strictly only permitted for men and women over 40 years of age, for those over 35 years with three children, or over 30 years with four children. Interruption of pregnancy is legal and performed upon request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, if there is a risk to the woman's life, a risk of having a disabled child and in case of an unwanted pregnancy. Abortion is performed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy if there is an acute risk for the woman's life or intrauterine death or suspected genetic defect. The law on legal abortion stipulates that abortion is not a family planning method. 77.000 abortions are officially induced during one year.