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We examined telehealth and over-the-counter services to find the best birth control online. We included services based on budget, preferences, and age restrictions. Learn about our favorites here.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Below, we compare the best online birth control options for price, availability, and more.
| Birth control available | Price | States available | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurx | • pills • ring • patch • emergency contraception | • from $0 with insurance • from $15 without insurance | 37 states |
| Hers | • pills | from $12 per month | all U.S. states |
| Wisp | • pills • ring • patch • emergency contraception | from $5 per month | all U.S. states |
| Twentyeight Health | • pills • ring • patch • shots • internal condoms • emergency contraception | • from $0 with insurance • from $16 without insurance | 32 states |
| Planned Parenthood | • pills • patch • ring | • from $0 with Medicaid • from $20 without insurance | 43 states |
| Opill | • pill | • from $0 with CVS Caremark • from $19.99 without insurance | all U.S states |
Medical News Today chooses online birth control providers based on the following criteria where possible:
- Types of birth control: MNT chooses providers that offer a range of birth control options that suit most people’s needs.
- Cost: MNT chooses providers that are suitable for a range of budgets. Some providers may also accept insurance.
- Healthcare support: MNT chooses providers that have a healthcare professional available to discuss birth control options.
- Customer service: MNT looks through third-party review sites to evaluate each provider’s customer service.
It is important to consider several factors when choosing which online service to use for birth control access, such as:
- Type of birth control: If you are new to using contraception, you may wish to use a service that provides multiple forms of birth control, such as the pill, patch, and ring. A healthcare professional on the service’s platform can advise which method is best for your particular circumstance.
- Insurance coverage: Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance companies must cover birth control. If your insurance policy covers the cost of birth control, it may be more cost-effective to use a service that accepts insurance, such as Nurx.
- Age: Many services do not offer birth control to people under 18. If you are under 18, using services that cater to teens, such as Twentyeight Health, is important.
- Subscriptions: Uninterrupted use of birth control is necessary to prevent unintentional pregnancy. If you are using birth control as contraception, you may wish to use a service that offers automatic deliveries to reduce the chances of a break in protection.
- Delivery options: Some people may prefer that their household does not know they are on birth control. In these situations, it may be best to use a service that offers pick-up at a local pharmacy.
People who are minors can purchase birth control in several states without limitations. The definition of a minor sometimes varies. If you are in the United States, it is important to check local guidelines.
It is always important to make sure that the service you use requires a healthcare professional to review the suitability of any birth control choice. Checking with a doctor is important because some health conditions, such as high blood pressure, can increase the risk of complications when you take a hormonal form of birth control, such as the pill.
You can buy over 100 types of birth control online. However, this does not include devices such as intrauterine devices or implants. This is because a doctor must insert or implant these devices.
Many providers ship birth control in unmarked packaging, which may be advantageous to teenagers and others who would prefer their households not to know they take birth control.
However, you will need a prescription from a healthcare professional before you can order birth control. Many telehealth platforms offer a consultation with a doctor who can prescribe a suitable form of birth control.
The types of birth control you can buy online include:
- Birth control pills: All types of birth control pills are available online from a range of brands. This includes hormonal and nonhormonal options.
- Vaginal ring: You can insert the vaginal ring, such as NuvaRing, yourself. You typically leave it in for 21 days and have a 7-day break before inserting a new one.
- Birth control shot: You can get the Depo-Provera shot online. This is an injection that you can administer yourself every 12 weeks.
You may be able to access free birth control from nonprofit family planning centers or public health clinics. These places usually require an in-person visit. You may be able to access free birth control from Planned Parenthood.
Plus, under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved birth control. These include:
- barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms
- hormonal methods, such as the pill
- implantable methods, such as the intrauterine device
- emergency contraception, such as Plan B
- sterilization procedures, such as tubal litigation
However, insurance does not have to cover medications that can cause abortions or male sterilization procedures, such as vasectomies.
Learn more about free birth control.
Anyone with questions about birth control may wish to speak with a healthcare professional.
It is especially important for people with certain health conditions and risk factors for health issues to consult a professional before choosing a type of birth control. For example, smoking or having high blood pressure may
It is also important to speak with a doctor about stopping birth control safely and restarting it. This may apply before and after you become pregnant. Certain factors, such as breastfeeding or chestfeeding, can affect which medications are safe after giving birth.
Learn more about the long-term side effects of birth control.
Yes, a person can get birth control online without visiting a gynecologist. Most online birth control providers require some medical consultation, but this tends to involve filling out an online form. Several online companies, such as Hers and Lemonaid, can provide prescription services in every U.S. state. In some states, people who classify as minors can use online services to purchase birth control and get a prescription without restrictions. However, it is important to check local legislation.
It is advisable to bring any questions about birth control to a healthcare professional and have annual health visits. At these consultations, a doctor can provide preventive care and testing to help maintain a person’s overall health.
Nurx sells legitimate FDA-approved birth control and states it complies with the same regulations as a person’s usual doctor. Its medical professionals will only prescribe a medication if they think it is necessary.
You can get the pill, patch, shot, ring, and morning-after pill online.
Yes, people can schedule an appointment with a doctor on a telehealth service, such as Nurx or Hers, to get birth control online.
The best birth control online comes from reputable brands that require a prescription before ordering. Nurx, Hims, Wisp, and other popular brands offer various birth control options at more affordable prices for a range of ages.
Ordering birth control online can be safe and convenient, but it may cost a little more than filling a prescription at a pharmacy or clinic.
Before they send out medication, most online retailers require medical consultation. These online consultations should not replace visits to a doctor. If you have questions about birth control, you may wish to contact a healthcare professional.