How to Get Over-The-Counter Birth Control
Most national chain stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies sell OTC birth control, though the options they each offer may vary. So if you want to buy over-the-counter birth control, you’ll need a way to get to the store and money to pay. If you’re too embarrassed to check out your local family planning aisle, or if you can’t get to a store, you can also buy OTC birth control online.
Buying OTC Birth Control Online
In general, prices for over-the-counter birth control methods can vary from store to store, but usually, they only differ by a couple of dollars. The costs of OTC birth control online are typically lower than in-store prices.
When you’re looking for birth control online, remember that some methods are only sold in the stores while other methods may only be sold online. Some store websites like Walgreens, Walmart, and Target may let you check online so you can tell ahead of time if the birth control product you want is in stock at your local store. You may also be able to pay for the product online and then pick it up at the store.
When Your Store Doesn’t Have the Product You Want
Keep in mind that over-the-counter birth control product selection will differ from store to store. If the store doesn’t have what you’re looking for, you can check the store’s website or another store’s website. This could also be the opportunity to try a new OTC birth control product or brand. With so many options and varieties, it may be fun to be a little adventurous.
Over-The-Counter Birth Control vs. Prescription Birth Control
Prescription birth control methods like hormonal contraception tend to be more effective than over-the-counter birth control. That being said, OTC contraception ranges from being 72 percent to 98 percent effective. Effectiveness can be increased if you’re using the method correctly, or if you combine over-the-counter birth control methods. For example:
Use spermicide with a female condomUse the sponge with a male condom
Just DO NOT use a female condom and a male condom at the same time.
To be extra safe, buy emergency contraception ahead of time, just in case birth control failure happens or you forget to use birth control.
Available Over-The-Counter Birth Control Methods
Here are your options for over-the-counter birth control:
They’re also a great over-the-counter birth control option to use while having sex in the water.
The sponge was taken off the market in 1995 but is now available again as an over-the-counter birth control option.
The judge in the court case Tummino vs.Hamburg ruled that the morning-after pill can now be sold over-the-counter without any age requirements. However, not all morning-after pill brands can be bought OTC. For example, you need a prescription to buy Ella, a newer type of morning-after pill that consists of one ulipristal acetate (30 mg) pill. Also, Next Choice (the generic 2 pill form of the old Plan B) can only be sold OTC if you are 17 years old or older—you need a prescription to buy Next Choice if you are under 17.
Morning-after pill brands available over-the-counter:
Plan B One-Step My Way (Generic to Plan B One-Step) Take Action (Generic to Plan B One-Step) Next Choice One Dose (Generic to Plan B One-Step) AfterPill (only available online)
