Get Birth Control At Planned Parenthood: What You Need To Know

Birth control is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. It can also help treat certain health problems and provide other health benefits, such as lighter and less painful periods. Planned Parenthood health centers offer a range of birth control options, including the birth control pill, patch, ring, implant, vaginal ring, fertility awareness method (FAMs), IUD (hormonal and copper), sterilization, and more. The cost of birth control at Planned Parenthood varies depending on the method and your insurance coverage, but it is often low-cost or free, especially with health insurance or government programs. You can get a birth control prescription from a doctor or nurse at a Planned Parenthood health center or through the Planned Parenthood Direct app, which offers convenience and privacy.

Planned Parenthood health centres offer birth control

Birth control is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. It can also help treat certain health problems and provide other health benefits, such as lighter and less painful periods. With so many different birth control methods available, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for you. That's where Planned Parenthood health centres come in.

Range of Birth Control Options

Planned Parenthood health centres offer a range of birth control options to suit different needs and lifestyles. These include:

• Birth control implant
• Birth control vaginal ring
• Fertility awareness method (FAMs)
• IUD (hormonal, copper)
• Sterilization (tubal ligation, vasectomy)
• Birth control sponge
• Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)
• Hormone-free or low-hormone birth control
• Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
• Monthly, weekly, or daily birth control options

Finding the Right Birth Control for You

Staff at Planned Parenthood health centres are knowledgeable about the various birth control options available. They can provide you with up-to-date and medically accurate information to help you make an informed decision about which method is best suited to your needs. They will discuss your medical history and may perform certain exams to ensure you receive the most suitable birth control option.

Affordable Birth Control

Planned Parenthood health centres aim to provide affordable birth control options. The cost of birth control can vary depending on the method chosen and your insurance coverage. Many insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover the cost of birth control. Planned Parenthood health centres also offer payment plans and sliding scale fees based on income, ensuring that birth control is accessible to those who need it.

Convenient Access to Birth Control

Planned Parenthood health centres make accessing birth control convenient through in-person and virtual appointments. You can book an appointment online or over the phone to meet with a healthcare provider and discuss your birth control options. In some states, you can also use the Planned Parenthood Direct app to access birth control services from the comfort of your home. The app allows you to request prescriptions for birth control pills, patches, or rings, which can be delivered directly to your doorstep.

Planned Parenthood health centres are dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and personalised birth control options to meet the diverse needs of their patients. By offering a range of services and resources, they empower individuals to take control of their reproductive health and make informed decisions about their birth control choices.

Birth control pills, patches, and rings can be ordered via the Planned Parenthood Direct app

Birth control is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy, and it can also help treat certain health problems. It is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution, and different methods work for different people.

Planned Parenthood health centers offer a range of birth control options, and their staff can help you find the best method for your needs. In addition, Planned Parenthood offers an app called Planned Parenthood Direct, which allows you to order birth control pills, patches, and rings directly from your phone. This service is available in select states, and you can check the website to see if it is available in your state.

To use the app, simply download it for free, fill in your details, and submit your request. A Planned Parenthood nurse or doctor will then review your request and contact you within one business day. The app offers convenience and privacy, as you can access reproductive healthcare anytime, anywhere, without an appointment.

The cost of birth control pills through the app starts at $20 per pack, and home delivery is available with free shipping. The visit fee is waived in most states, but if you prefer to pick up your prescription from a pharmacy, there may be a small fee. It's important to note that Medicaid is accepted in California, Washington, Minnesota, and Michigan.

In addition to the app, Planned Parenthood also offers in-person appointments and telehealth services to help you find the right birth control method for your needs.

Birth control methods include implants, vaginal rings, and IUDs

Birth control is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control, and it's important to choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. Here's a detailed overview of three such methods: implants, vaginal rings, and IUDs.

Implants

Contraceptive implants are small, thin, rod-like devices inserted under the skin in the upper arm. They release a steady dose of the hormone progestin, which prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach any eggs. Implants are highly effective, with a success rate of over 99%. They last for up to three years and can be removed at any time. The insertion process is quick and usually involves a local anesthetic. Side effects may include temporary bruising and changes in menstrual bleeding.

Vaginal Rings

Vaginal rings are flexible devices, about 2 inches wide, that are placed in the vagina. They release the hormones progestin and estrogen, which prevent pregnancy. Vaginal rings are prescribed by a healthcare provider, but you insert them yourself. The ring stays in place for three weeks, followed by a one-week removal period. Side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, vaginal discharge, and breakthrough bleeding. Vaginal rings have a rare risk of high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke, especially if the user smokes.

IUDs

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are T-shaped plastic devices inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider. They are the most commonly used type of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). IUDs can be hormonal (containing progestin) or copper. They prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs, and they can also cause an inflammatory response in the uterus, creating an environment toxic to sperm. IUDs are highly effective, with a 99% success rate, and they can last for up to 10 years, depending on the type. They can be removed at any time if you decide to become pregnant. Side effects may include disrupted menstrual cycles and increased menstrual cramps and bleeding, especially with copper IUDs.

Birth control pills require a prescription, but can be obtained over-the-counter in certain states

Birth control pills are available over-the-counter in certain US states, but in most states, you will need a prescription. In October 2024, the FDA approved the Opill (norgestrel) tablet for nonprescription use, making it the first daily oral contraceptive available without a prescription in the US.

The pill is now available over the counter in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia. In these states, people over the age of 18 can obtain self-administered birth control from their local pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor. However, a health screen and blood pressure test are still required.

In most other states, you will need a prescription to obtain birth control pills. This can be done by visiting a doctor or nurse at a doctor's office, health clinic, or Planned Parenthood health center. In a few states, you can even get a prescription online through the Planned Parenthood Direct app or directly from a pharmacist. The cost of a visit to get a prescription can range from $35 to $250, but under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover these visits.

Once you have a prescription, you can pick up your birth control pills at a drugstore or pharmacy. The cost of the pills can range from $0 to $50 per pack, but they are often covered by insurance or government programs.

Costs for birth control vary depending on insurance coverage and the type of birth control

The cost of birth control varies depending on insurance coverage and the type of birth control. Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, most health insurance companies have been required to cover birth control at no additional cost. This has made birth control accessible to millions of women. However, the cost of birth control can still be a financial burden for many, especially those without insurance.

Insurance Coverage

For those with health insurance, birth control is typically covered at no additional cost. This means that most insurance plans will cover all methods of birth control, including the pill, patch, ring, shot, IUD, implant, and sterilization. However, it's important to note that insurance companies are not required to cover every brand of birth control, and may only cover generic versions or charge co-pays for name-brand pills. Additionally, religious institutions, non-profit religious organizations, and religious schools are exempt from covering birth control.

Type of Birth Control

The cost of birth control can vary significantly depending on the type of birth control method chosen. For example, birth control pills can range from $0 to $50 per month with insurance, while generic pills without insurance can cost between $10 and $150 per month. Long-term methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants can range from $500 to $1,300 upfront, but they last for several years. Other options, like the birth control shot, can cost $30 to $100 every 3 months.

Free and Low-Cost Options

For those without insurance, there are still options for free or low-cost birth control. Many clinics, health centers, and programs provide free or reduced-cost birth control for those without coverage. Planned Parenthood, for example, offers a sliding scale fee based on income and accepts Medicaid and other health insurance plans. Additionally, the Planned Parenthood Direct app offers birth control pills, patches, or rings starting at $20 per pack in select states.

Frequently asked questions