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Buying birth control online can be discreet and convenient. However, a person still needs a prescription to buy birth control online.
- Best range of birth control pills: Hers | Skip to review
- Best variety of birth control options: Nurx | Skip to review
- Best for emergency contraception: Wisp | Skip to review
- Best for over 18s: Lemonaid | Skip to review
- Best for delivery in the United States: Optum Store | Skip to review
- Best for brand-name and generic options: Pandia Health | Skip to review
- Best advocator for accessible birth control: The Pill Club | Skip to review
- Best for teens: Twentyeight Health | Skip to review
- Best for home delivery via app: Planned Parenthood Direct | Skip to review
- Best for ongoing care: Alpha | Skip to review
Birth control is available to purchase online. This may be convenient for many people who want to use a discreet and convenient service, such as those who do not have access to healthcare clinics or other healthcare centers.
Many providers ship birth control in unmarked packaging, which may be an advantage to teenagers and others who would prefer their households not to know they take birth control.
However, people will need a prescription from a healthcare professional before they can order birth control. Many telehealth platforms offer a consultation with a doctor who can prescribe a suitable form of birth control.
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.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and was correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best range of birth control pills: Hers
- Price: from $12 per month
- Birth control options: pills
- Accepts insurance: no
- Shipping: free
Hers offers a selection of birth control pills, which may benefit those who prefer contraception that they can stop taking at any time.
While plans start at $12 per month, making this option more affordable for many, Hers does not accept insurance.
People who prefer not to use their or their family’s health insurance plans may consider this an advantage, but those who want to use their insurance may go through other retailers.
Like most online telehealth platforms, Hers requires a doctor to review a health questionnaire to approve a person’s request for birth control.
Once a doctor has approved the form, people can order one or more months of pills. The company also offers recurring refills, which may be more convenient for those who plan to take the pill for a longer period of time.
Pros
- free medical consultation
- no need for insurance
- free shipping
- should hear back from doctors within 24 hours
Cons
- medications can be out of stock
- reported issues with customer service
Best variety of birth control options: Nurx
- Price: from $15
- Birth control options: pills, shot, ring, and patch
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
Nurx offers a variety of birth control options that can suit most people’s needs, including those that need long-term or one-off contraception.
People do need a prescription to purchase birth control from Nurx. If a person does not have a valid prescription, the company offers a virtual consultation for $20. This may be significantly cheaper than paying for a doctor’s appointment.
Nurx accepts insurance, so people with insurance may be able to get birth control for free. Without it, birth control options start at $15.
Before ordering from Nurx, the company requires people to take a medical questionnaire. People with and without valid prescriptions will need to fill out the form. Once the company reviews and approves the form, individuals can order a single delivery or sign up for automatic refills.
Pros
- insurance coverage may be available
- different options for birth control
- free shipping
Cons
- customer care team may not be helpful, according to reviews
- initial consultation is not free
Best for emergency contraception: Wisp
- Price: from $5 per month
- Birth control options: pills
- Accepts insurance: no
- Shipping: free
Wisp sells several medications online, including various types of birth control pills, plus emergency birth control pills.
This service may benefit people who need a discreet and fast way of accessing emergency contraception. However, it does not accept insurance.
Birth control pills start from $5 per month, while emergency contraception starts from $17 per pill. The company does not charge an online consultation fee.
Learn where to purchase Plan B alternatives.
However, Wisp does not sell the ring, patch, or shot. People who prefer other forms of birth control should opt for a different retailer.
People can pick up their birth control at their local pharmacy, which may benefit those needing urgent medication, such as emergency contraception. Wiso also ships directly to a person’s house and offers automatic refills.
Pros
- free online consultation
- automatic refills
- offers treatment for cold sores, genital herpes, and yeast infections, among others
- free shipping to all U.S. states
- has a discount page for promo codes
Cons
- limited to the U.S.
- does not accept insurance but accepts flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) payments
Best for over 18s: Lemonaid
- Price: from $15
- Birth control options: pills
- Accepts insurance: no
- Shipping: free
Lemonaid only offers birth control pills in a 3-month supply. Prices start from $15 per pack, in addition to a mandatory yearly consultation that costs $25.
Using the starting cost of Lemonaid’s birth control, people can expect to pay around $205 per year if they use this service. This may be cheaper than paying for a doctor’s appointment and filling a script in a pharmacy.
While Lemonaid only uses cash-pay mail-order pharmacies, if a person has insurance, they can ask the company to send their prescription to their local pharmacy.
Lemonaid may be suitable for people who prefer not to use their family health insurance. However, the company requires them to be at least 18 years old to use its services. Teens who would rather their family not know they are on birth control may wish to seek out other retailers.
Learn about the best places to get birth control for teens.
Lemonaid sends the pills directly to a person’s home within 3–4 days of approving an order.
Pros
- automatic refills
- an easy-to-use app
- can access doctors’ information
Cons
- unavailable to people residing outside the U.S. or United Kingdom.
- unavailable for those ages under 18 years
Best for delivery across the U.S.: Optum Store
- Price: starting at $10 per month
- Birth control options: pill, patch, ring, and gel
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
Optum Store offers over 32 brands of birth control, including Nuvaring, Phexxi, and Zafemy.
Optum Store offers access to a free initial online consultation with a doctor in a person’s state who can prescribe birth control if necessary. The initial consultation includes an online questionnaire people can complete in around 15 minutes.
Healthcare professionals will review the questionnaire and contact the person within 24 hours. Any follow-up consultations cost $15. Doctors will approve or reject a person’s prescription in 2 business days.
While Optum Store currently only accepts OptumRX insurance, all birth control is HSA and FSA-eligible and starts from $10 per month.
Optum Store ships to all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Pros
- ships to all 50 states and US territories
- offers free and discreet shipping
- offers various birth control options and brands
Cons
- only accepts OptumRX insurance
- no returns available
Best for brand-name and generic options: Pandia Health
- Price: from $7
- Birth control options: pills, patches, and rings
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
Pandia Health offers almost all generic and brand-name birth control pills, patches, and rings. Buying generic can save people money, with prices starting from $15.
While some of these products have insurance coverage, not all do. People who wish to use their insurance should check before ordering.
Like all reputable telehealth companies, Pandia Health requires an active prescription before allowing people to buy birth control. If a person already has a prescription, they can simply transfer it to the company. Those who do not can pay a one-time fee of $25 and fill out a health form. A doctor will review the form and write a prescription if appropriate.
Pandia Health ships all orders free of charge.
Pros
- generic and branded medications available
- insurance coverage
- free shipping and automatic refills
- personalized care based on the individual’s questionnaire
Cons
- pills are not suitable for vegans, but the Twirla patch is vegan-friendly
- a $15 fee applies for each pill pack for those without insurance
Best advocator for accessible healthcare: The Pill Club
- Price: from $7 per pack
- Birth control options: pills and rings
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
The Pill Club sells over 100 brands of birth control pills and vaginal rings, giving people a comprehensive range of choices.
The Pill Club also accepts insurance, meaning those with coverage may be able to receive birth control for free. For those without insurance, the cost starts at $7 per pack. There is also an annual $20 medical consultation fee.
People must fill out a form that the company’s medical team reviews before issuing a prescription. Those who use this service have access to ongoing care from the service’s medical team.
The Pill Club also offers information on preventing a policyholder from knowing that people on their insurance are purchasing birth control. This may be vital information for those who wish to be discreet about their birth control use.
Additionally, the company states it is dedicated to helping people access birth control and healthcare safely. It donates emergency contraception to organizations in Texas and to organizations that help people from lower-income households access birth control.
Learn more about The Pill Club.
Pros
- ongoing care available
- accepts insurance
- free and discreet shipping
- a person can contact the company’s pharmacy or medical team
Cons
- possible shipping delays
- no immediate delivery for emergency contraception
Best for teens: Twentyeight Health
- Price: from $18 per pack
- Birth control options: pills, patch, ring, shots, and internal condoms
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
Twentyeight Health offers over 100 brands of birth control. Options include pills, patches, rings, shots, and emergency contraception. Since April 12, 2023, Twentyeight Health has transferred patients from SimpleHealth to its database.
The pill starts at $18 per pack, with other birth control options starting from $126. People with insurance can receive internal condoms with no copay over $0 when purchasing other birth control methods.
Read about how to use an internal condom and where to buy one.
The company says its services are suitable for people ages 13–49 years, making it one of a few companies offering birth control to younger teens.
As with most companies, people must fill out an online questionnaire before they can call or message Twentyeight’s doctors directly. There is a $26 annual fee for ongoing care.
The company states its free and discreet shipping takes around 5 business days. However, Twentyeight only ships to 32 states.
Pros
- free, discreet shipping
- insurance coverage
- various birth control options available
- available for teenagers
Cons
- not available in all U.S. states
- no returns or refunds
Best for organizing delivery via app: Planned Parenthood Direct
- Price: from $15 per pack
- Birth control options: pill, patch, and ring
- Accepts insurance: Medicaid in certain states
- Shipping: no information available
Planned Parenthood is a reproductive healthcare advocacy group. It provides sex education online and helps people find low cost or free birth control of all kinds.
Its app, Planned Parenthood Direct, aims to make ordering birth control easier. It may suit those who cannot easily speak with a doctor in person to get birth control or pick it up from a pharmacy.
Planned Parenthood Direct allows people to get the birth control pill sent to their home and the pill, patch, and ring sent to a pharmacy. The cost may vary by state.
To get birth control, a person must first download the app, make an account or continue as a guest, and answer a basic health questionnaire. A clinician will review their answers and write the appropriate prescription.
The app is available on iOS and Android devices, but not in all U.S. states. Additionally, Planned Parenthood does not accept insurance besides Medicaid in Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington state.
A person’s medication will arrive in a discreet package.
Pros
- people can get home deliveries of the birth control pill
- affordable prices
- offers discreet shipping
- offers various birth control options and brands
Cons
- not available in all U.S. states
- it does not accept insurance
- Medicaid does not cover birth control in all states
Best for ongoing care: Alpha
- Price: from $25 a month, plus a $15 fee for a medical visit
- Birth control options: pill, patch, and ring
- Accepts insurance: yes
- Shipping: free
Alpha is a telehealth company that offers online consultations for various health conditions. People can get support from a healthcare professional, organize prescription refills, and get ongoing care. It offers the birth control pill, patch, and ring, plus emergency contraception.
People can sign up for a membership or pay for a single visit to use Alpha’s services. Memberships cost $29 or $49 a month. This gives people access to two visits a month and discounted additional visits. Alpha can provide care for over 100 health conditions.
For birth control, the pay-per-visit cost is $15. Membership and visit costs do not include the price of medication.
Prices for birth control are as follows:
- Pill: $25 monthly, $45 quarterly
- Patch: $175 monthly, $600 quarterly
- Ring: $170 a month
The cost of emergency contraception is unclear.
People do not need insurance to use Alpha, but it accepts a wide range of providers.
Pros
- provides ongoing care for over 100 health conditions
- health insurance is not necessary
- Alpha accepts a wide range of insurance
- it offers dozens of birth control brands
Cons
- it can be expensive
- the cost of emergency contraception is unclear
The table below compares the online birth control services that we list above:
| Price without insurance | States available | Birth control products available | Insurance accepted? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hers | from $12 per month | all U.S. states | pills | no |
| Nurx | • from $15 • $20 consultation | 37 states | • pills • shot • ring • patch | yes |
| Wisp | from $5 per month | all U.S. states | pills | no |
| Lemonaid | • from $15 • $25 consultation | all U.S. states | pills | no |
| Optum Store | from $10 per month | all U.S. states | • pills • patch • ring • gel | yes |
| Pandia Health | • from $7 • $25 consultation | 13 states | • pills • patches • rings | yes |
| The Pill Club | from $8.95 | all U.S. states | • pill • rings | yes |
| Twentyeight Health | from $16 per pack | 32 states | • pills • patch • ring • shots • internal condoms | yes |
| Planned Parenthood Direct | from $15 per pack | 43 states | • pills • patch • ring | Medicaid in select states |
| Alpha | from $25 a month | 49 states | • pills • patch • ring | yes |
Ordering birth control online is often straightforward. A person selects what they want and enters their billing and shipping information. When they receive the order, the company ships it to the individual’s provided address.
Some sites also ask for insurance information to bill the insurance company. The specific steps vary by retailer.
Before making a payment, it is a good idea to:
- speak with a doctor about contraception types and needs
- check coverage with an insurance provider, if applicable
- confirm eligibility with the online company, as some do not offer prescription services in all states
Checking with a doctor is important because some health conditions, such as high blood pressure, can increase the risk of complications when a person takes a hormonal form of birth control, such as the pill.
People who are minors can purchase birth control in several states without limitations. The definition of a minor sometimes varies. For anyone in the U.S., it is important to check local guidelines, which a person can do here.
People who are minors and some adults may not want the policyholder of healthcare insurance to know that they are purchasing birth control. People can call their insurance provider and ask that the Explanation of Benefits for their prescriptions are sent directly to them rather than the policyholder. However, different insurers may have different policies.
If a person cannot discreetly buy birth control on their family’s insurance, they may wish to purchase birth control uninsured. Many companies offer affordable options.
Discussing the options with a healthcare professional in person is advisable. This is especially important for people who:
- are over the age of 35 years and smoke
- have had blood clots or a blood clotting disorder
- have had breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine, or endometrial cancer
- have any history of stroke or heart problems
- have visual migraine
- have high blood pressure
- have diabetes
- have liver or kidney disease
- have lupus
- have adrenal insufficiency
Anyone with questions about birth control should 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 can
It is also important to speak with a doctor about stopping using contraception safely and restarting it. This may apply to people before and after they become pregnant. 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.
Here we answer some common questions about birth control online.
Do you have to go to a gynecologist for birth control?
No, a person does not necessarily need to visit a gynecologist. Most online birth control providers require some type of 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 considered minors can use online services to purchase birth control and get a prescription for it without restrictions. It is important to check local legislation, which a person can do here.
It is a good idea to bring any questions about birth control to a healthcare professional and have
Are birth control pills available over the counter?
In the U.S., birth control pills are available by prescription only. A person needs to visit a doctor or use an online service to get a prescription before ordering.
Is it safe to get birth control online?
Ordering birth control online can be safe, effective, and private. It can also be convenient, as some companies send automatic refills.
Before making an order, a person may wish to check reviews on third-party sites. If the company seems unreliable or unsafe, they should shop elsewhere.
Can I get free birth control online?
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover 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.
People 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.
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 a medical consultation. These online consultations should not replace visits to a doctor. Anyone with questions about contraception should contact a healthcare professional.