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Birth control pills can prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. Alongside emergency contraception pills, there are two main types of birth control pill. All pills require specific and consistent use to work effectively.
Between 2017–2019, 65% of females in the United States were using birth control, with 14% using contraceptive pills.
This article explores birth control pills and the different types. It also provides a list of online platforms where birth control pills are available.
In the U.S., birth control pills are the most common form of contraception.
A person typically takes one birth control pill daily, containing hormones that prevent ovulation. They can also thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
Types of birth control pills include:
Combination pills are usually the first thing a doctor would consider prescribing to a person.
Pills containing natural or synthetically derived estrogen may not suit everyone, including people who smoke or those with specific conditions, such as:
Birth control pills are suitable for individuals having penetrative sex that do not wish to become pregnant.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) states that the combined pill is more than 99% effective if a person takes it correctly.
The NHS also says that the progestin-only pill is also over 99% effective with perfect use — meaning a person takes the medication at the same time, every day, without fail.
Many online companies offer birth control pills. Below are some options for a person to consider.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Nurx stocks over 50 different brands of pills, including generic forms. These include combination and progestin-only pills. It also offers emergency contraception.
In addition, Nurx sells other types of birth control such as a ring, shots, and a patch.
Nurx accepts most private health insurance plans, apart from Medicaid and Medicare. How much an insured person pays each month will depend on the copayment set by their insurer.
There is a $15 consultation fee that is generally not eligible for insurance coverage, and uninsured people could pay around $15 per month for their medications.
Wisp offers new customers their first month free.
The company has 15 different types of birth control pills, including combination and progestin-only. They also have two types of pills for emergency contraception.
Prices start at $5 per month.
Wisp ships products for free in discreet packaging, or same-day pickup is available at a person’s local pharmacy. The company also provides medical advice 24 hours a day.
Favor, formerly known as The Pill Club, offers contraceptives and ongoing personalized medical care.
It claims to have over 120 brands of birth control pills available, including combination and progestin-only pills. A person may also purchase emergency contraception and the contraceptive ring.
The company accepts many insurance plans, but individuals may need to pay a $15 consultation fee that insurers will not cover. Without insurance, prices start from $6.99 per pack for a 1-year supply.
SimpleHealth is a subscription service that provides automatic refills to customers.
It claims to offer most types of birth control pills, including progestin-only and combination pills.
In addition, it offers a contraceptive patch and vaginal ring.
An initial consultation with SimpleHealth costs $20. Insurance does not typically cover the consultation fee. However, SimpleHealth accepts most major insurance plans that cover the price of the medication. For those without insurance, prices start from $7 a month.
Here are some considerations when a person is looking for a contraceptive pill.
A person may experience minor side effects when first taking or switching birth control pills, including:
If the side effects worsen or do not resolve after a few weeks, a person should consult a doctor.
Below, we look at some common questions relating to birth control pills.
It is still possible to get pregnant while taking birth control.
However, the NHS estimates that fewer than 1 in 100 people become pregnant when taking the birth control pill perfectly. With typical use, this statistic rises to 9 in 100 people.
Individuals can stop taking birth control pills whenever they choose. However, anecdotal evidence points to some side effects when discontinuing use, such as irregular menstrual cycles, weight changes, and acne.
A person can choose to take a pill to stop their periods completely. They may also take a series of active and inactive pills. A person takes the inactive pills 7 days each month, allowing them to have a regular period.
There are two main types of birth control pills — combination and progestin-only. They both aim to prevent pregnancy by either thickening cervical mucus, preventing ovulation, or both.
A person can receive the pills via an online service or an in-person prescription. Insurance companies typically cover the costs associated with birth control pills.
Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022
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