A young Cuban identified as @briana_matancera shared a video on TikTok where she describes the challenges women in Cuba face in accessing contraceptive methods.
“It's a fact that here in Cuba, women struggle even to access contraceptive methods to prevent a pregnancy,” stated the young mother in her post, which has been viewed by thousands and has generated dozens of comments.
In the video, the young resident of Matanzas points out that “in the past, in hospitals you could get IUDs, and at the pharmacy you could find condoms and contraceptive pills, which today, my dear, is no longer available.”
Although he acknowledges that “it is rare for IUDs to enter clinics and family doctor's offices,” he warns that these resources are primarily intended for “those who are, that is, women who are social cases, who have already had many children and get them to prevent further pregnancies, as they do not have the best conditions.”
"The rest of the population, what are they supposed to do? Search for those contraceptive methods on the black market. You can already imagine, just by the word, the prices of all those things on the black market," he lamented.
At the end of the video, the young woman sums up the situation with a powerful phrase: “Well, my love, that's how it is, it is difficult for Cubans even with that simplicity.”
"Here, it's a struggle for everything."
The post received responses from various countries in Latin America and Europe, where many users expressed surprise at the difficulties described and some shared how they access contraceptives: “In Argentina, at the pharmacy with a health insurance discount… the IUD is placed by the gynecologist. In public hospitals, it can be free,” one user commented. Another person from Spain noted: “Condoms are available for purchase at supermarkets or pharmacies… the IUD is always provided through family planning and has to be inserted by a surgeon, going through a whole procedure.” From Panama, a user wrote: “I'm looking at Microgynon 750, and it costs 11 dollars here.” Other comments indicated that in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico, it is also possible to acquire them at pharmacies or through health plans, although not always for free.
"I am Nicaraguan; we also live under a communist regime, but even in hospitals and health centers, they offer free contraceptive methods. Everything from IUDs, pills, injections... they even have surgeries to prevent having more children," commented a user. "Here in Chile, they give it to you for free at the health center," "In Mexico, hospitals and medical centers provide contraceptive methods at no charge," "In Uruguay, they are free at public hospitals," were some of the replies. Other comments mentioned that in countries like Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Portugal, Panama, and Honduras, contraceptive methods are offered for free or at low cost, even in supermarkets, private clinics, or through family planning programs.
A user summarized the contrast by saying: “To think that in Colombia they are free through health insurance and hospitals; in fact, they even call you to provide the contraceptives you prefer to use. Sometimes we complain, but there are people who are worse off.”
A well-known and persistent problem
The testimony of the young mother from Matanzas regarding the structural issues that have already been documented in various reports about the high rate of adolescent pregnancies, the shortage of pregnancy tests, and the growing demand due to the lack of contraceptives.
In June 2025, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned that, despite Cuba maintaining a generally low birth rate, the adolescent fertility rate remains high, due to a lack of comprehensive sexual education, gaps in family planning, and a certain social permissiveness towards early unions.
In April of this year, CiberCuba reported that the HeberFast Line pregnancy test returned to pharmacies after months of absence, with a doubled price: 120 pesos. Its scarcity, along with the lack of oral and injectable contraceptives, had caused an increase in demand for these tests since 2022, often sold on social media or in the informal market.
In parallel, the country is facing one of the worst health crises in its recent history. In May, it was revealed that the regime was promoting garlic and onion syrups as alternatives in response to the shortage of medications, and in December it was confirmed that more than 70 percent of essential medications were unavailable, severely impacting chronic patients and the maternal and child program.
Filed under:
