What is birth control?
You’ve likely heard of the term “birth control” before, but it can be used in different contexts to mean multiple different things. So what exactly is birth control? Well, in essence, birth control, sometimes referred to as contraceptive devices, consists of a variety of methods that help prevent pregnancy. Depending on what type of birth control method you use, the process of pregnancy prevention will work differently.
Some of the most common birth control processes include:
- Preventing a sperm cell from implanting on egg and attaching itself to the uterus
- Inactivating sperm cells so that they are no longer reproductively viable
- Halting the menstrual cycle, which sees an egg released each month that could be fertilized by a sperm cell
- Changing the make-up of the uterine lining to prevent fertilized eggs from attaching to it
- Thickening the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from passing through it
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Different types of birth control
There are dozens of different types of birth control methods that meet the needs of people’s medical histories and goals for family planning. Some of the most popular are listed below:
Barrier methods
This method includes physical barriers that prevent sperm from entering the uterus, such as internal and external condoms, which can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies without a prescription. Other examples include diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, and cervical caps.
Short-term hormonal methods
The most common type of hormonal birth control method is the birth control pill. Around 82% of women who use contraceptives have used the birth control pill, which prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and also thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from entering it. When taken at the same time every day, the birth control pill is one of the most reliable and effective ways of preventing pregnancy. However, they can also be prescribed to improve symptoms of acne and endometriosis, and they are also believed to decrease the risk of developing uterine and ovarian cancers.
Other types of hormonal birth control methods include vaginal rings, skin patches, or injections. All of these birth control methods are referred to as “short-term” methods because they require consistent use or regular re-application to effectively prevent pregnancy.
Long-term hormonal methods
On the other hand, long-term hormonal methods can work to prevent pregnancy for years after a singular insertion. These include copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, or IUDs, that sit in the uterus and alter the movement of sperm cells to ensure that they don’t reach an egg. Another example of a long-term hormonal method is a contraceptive implant, which is usually placed under the skin of an arm that helps suppress ovulation. While all of these methods are great for long-term pregnancy prevention, they are also easily reversible.
Sterilization
Sterilization is a permanent or semi-permanent form of birth control. This includes permanent tubal ligation for people with fallopian tubes, which is commonly referred to as “getting your tubes tied,” or vasectomies, which prevent sperm from entering semen upon ejaculation. While vasectomies can be used as a permanent sterilization method, some procedures can be reversed.
Fertility awareness methods
While not as effective as the previous birth control methods, fertility awareness is still used to help prevent pregnancy. This method requires tracking the menstrual and ovulation cycles to calculate which days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant on, and therefore avoiding unprotected sex on those days. As well, body temperature and the amount of mucus within the cervix can be used to calculate more precise estimates.
Emergency contraception
While this method is not recommended as a preventative form of birth control, emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill, works well at stopping the potential implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus after unprotected sex.
It’s important to remember that each birth control method listed above has varying degrees of effectiveness when used correctly. Talk to your doctor to discuss which birth control method is right for you.
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How do I get birth control?
You can find some methods of birth control, particularly barrier methods such as condoms, at any local pharmacy without a prescription.
However, for birth control methods that require a prescription, you can get one from your general practitioner, from a walk-in health clinic, or from any Planned Parenthood location. Depending on where you live, you can even get a prescription from a doctor online and have it shipped directly to your door.
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The cost of birth control without insurance
Most insurance offers discounted or free methods of birth control, but even without health insurance, you may still be able to access low-cost birth control through government programs, such as Medicaid.
However, if you don’t have health insurance or don’t qualify for government assistance programs, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for prescription birth control.
While the price of birth control varies, you can expect to pay somewhere around $50 per month for birth control pills, which could result in paying close to one thousand dollars per year. If you’re looking for a contraceptive implant or an IUD, that could set you back $300 or $1300, respectively. Though the price of these birth control methods also depends on what kind of brand you’re prescribed, as generic brands are often less expensive than name-brand equivalents.
When booking an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription, keep in mind that this may also come with an additional cost. Your doctor may want to conduct a physical exam to figure out whether you should be using a hormonal birth control method and to figure out which one is right for you. This exam could cost between $35-$250.
Emergency contraception, which can be used to help prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, can be found at most large drug stores such as CVS or Walgreens, or any Planned Parenthood location. Plan B, one of the most popular types of emergency contraception, costs up to $50 for one-time use. However, less popular brands such as My Way and Take Action can cost significantly less, starting at around $18. The brand AfterPill can be ordered online and shipped throughout the country at about $25.
The following is a chart that outlines the cost (per individual prescription or implant) of some of the most common types of birth control without insurance, including the birth control pill, an IUD, and condoms.
| Birth Control Method | Cost |
| Birth Control Pill | Up to $50 (per month) |
| Birth Control Implant | Up to $300 |
| Intrauterine Device (IUD) | Up to $1300 |
| Birth Control Shot | Up to $150 |
| Vaginal Ring | Up to $200 |
| Contraceptive sponge | Up to $5 each |
| Cervical cap | Up to $90 |
| Birth Control Patch | Up to $150 |
| Condom | Up to $2 per condom |
| Diaphragm | Up to $75 |
| Sterilization | Up to $6000 |
| Vasectomy | Up to $1000 |
| Fertility awareness | Up to $20 for necessary supplies |
| Emergency Contraception | Up to $50 |
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How can I get low-cost birth control without insurance?
This is a common question that many people wonder, but it’s easier than you might think to purchase more affordable forms of birth control without health insurance.
Coupons
Coupons may be a good way to receive a discount off of your birth control. You can search for them online, and some websites have a crowd-sourced list of different coupon codes that people have used in the past. Coupons exist for many different types and brands of birth control, and can be presented to a pharmacist at check-out to lower the cost. You also may be able to save at the pharmacy by filling large quantities of your prescription in one go.
Title X
Title X is a federal grant program that offers more affordable or no-cost birth control and other reproductive health services to low-income people across the country or for those who are not eligible to receive Medicaid. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about your eligibility for Title X.
Figure out your long-term plan
If you prefer to use birth control on a month-by-month basis, paying in cash for the birth control pill may be one of the cheapest options available to you. While other forms of birth control such as IUDs or implants have higher up-front costs, you may actually save money down the road if you’re planning on using birth control for a long-period of time. And if you know that you will never want or have children, a sterilization procedure may be the most cost-effective way of preventing pregnancy.
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Talk to your doctor to help decide which option is right for you
Ultimately, the most important thing you should do is speak with your doctor about your goals for preventing pregnancy so that they can help you choose the best birth control option for you. Some things your doctor should take into consideration include your symptoms during menstruation, your level of cardiovascular health, and any other medications you take that could negatively impact the effectiveness of certain birth control options or cause dangerous side-effects.
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