Is birth control available over-the-counter?
Most drugstores and grocery stores such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart offer OTC birth control in stores or online. If you’re looking for a particular brand and can’t find it in the store, try the store’s website where there’s often a larger selection. OTC birth control options are nonhormonal.
Why can’t you get birth control over-the-counter?
Over-the-Counter (OTC) birth control would raise the cost of the drug. OTC status for birth control pills could result in more unwanted pregnancies. Teens are not knowledgeable enough to have access to OTC birth control pills. Women who take birth control pills without medical supervision can put themselves at risk.
Can you buy birth control at store?
No, you’re not able to go to a drugstore and buy them. Women need to get a prescription in order to get birth control pills or other kinds of hormonal birth control.
Why does birth control require a prescription?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in order for a medication to be sold over the counter, it must treat a condition that the user can self-diagnose. The drug must be safe, and the person must be able to use it effectively without the help of a health care provider.
Is birth control easy to get?
It may sound simple, but obtaining a prescription is actually one of the main barriers preventing many women from getting the medication they need. It’s difficult for many people to find the time to schedule and travel to a doctor’s appointment, and oftentimes, it’s too expensive.
Can you get birth control pills at a drugstore?
The answer is no, the combination and progestin-only pill can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. That’s because different pill brands contain unique hormone levels, which aren’t right for every woman.
Can a 17 year old get birth control without parents knowing?
Can I get birth control without anyone finding out? Yes. You do not need permission from a parent or guardian to get birth control. In fact, it is unethical and illegal for clinic workers or health care providers to tell your parents/guardians you were even at the clinic.
How much is birth control out of pocket?
Birth control pills cost between $0–$50 a month. They can be totally free with most health insurance plans, or if you qualify for some government programs. You can get a prescription for the birth control pill from a doctor or nurse at a doctor’s office, health clinic, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.
What do I tell my doctor to get birth control?
Your health care provider will want to talk with you about your medical history and check your blood pressure. You might also need a pelvic exam. Your health care provider may also want to know about your sex life and sexual history: how many partners you’ve had, what kind of birth control you currently use, etc.
Can you get birth control without insurance?
Even without insurance, anyone with a prescription for birth control can purchase it at a pharmacy. That means a trip to the doctor’s office is required. Patients who don’t see a doctor regularly can make an appointment at a family planning, public health, or Title X clinic.
How much is birth control without insurance at Walmart?
Fertility and prescription birth control will also be included at $9, compared to national average prices ranging from $24 to $30 per month and saving women an estimated $15 to $21 per month – $180 to $250 annually.
Can I get birth control from my pharmacist?
Today, 11 states and the District of Columbia allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal birth control. These states include: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Should birth control be covered by health insurance?
Yes, birth control should be covered by health insurance, because it doesn’t make financial sense not to. A woman taking precautionary measures to prevent pregnancy should not be discouraged, but rather the opposite. Many women do not have the means to take care of a child.
Who should not take birth control pills?
You should not take birth control pills within 4 weeks of childbirth. If you have asthma, epilepsy, a depressive disorder, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides, birth control pills may not be a good option for you. If you have adrenal insufficiency or impaired kidney function, you should not take drospirenone.
Should birth control be sold over-the-counter?
Birth control is currently available over-the-counter without a prescription or screening in more than 30 countries, and other countries informally allow the pill to be sold over-the-counter even though it technically requires a prescription, according to the nonprofit Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group.
Should I start birth control?
When should you start birth control? The most common age to start taking birth control is 16, but some teenagers may take it even earlier. If you can get pregnant or get someone pregnant, then you should have access to birth control. Whenever you decide you may want to start taking birth control, consult a doctor, as they can help you determine which method is best for you.