The 6 Best Services for Birth Control Online for 2023

A quick look at the best online birth control pill services

Best overall: Nurx
Best for timely care: Lemonaid
Best for variety of pill offerings: SimpleHealth
Best for your sexual health as a whole: Hers
Best for seeking female doctors: Pandia Health
Best for little treats: Favor
Best for convenience:Optum

If you have your period, it’s likely that you’ve thought about taking the pill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost all women will use birth control at least once in their lives.

Contraceptive pills have become a reliable and popular way to keep from getting pregnant. When used correctly, they are 99 percent effective for the National Health Service.

Now, birth control pills are even easier to get because there are so many online resources and delivery services you can use.

Read on to find out more about birth control and online services.

What are birth control pill services?

Birth control pill services are companies where you can order birth control online. This can be a convenient and private way to get the advice and help you need. Each service has different features and prices, so it’s important to do your research to find the best one for your needs.

How we choose

We did the following to choose a set of online birth control delivery services:

looked into each service
spoke with people in the medical field
Read reviews to find out which delivery services were the most reliable and gave customers the best experience overall.

Healthline’s picks of the best online birth control pill services

Best overall

Nurx

Pills, rings, the patch shot, and emergency contraception are all forms of birth control (morning-after pill)
Why we went with it: cheap, but has a good name

Nurx is one of the best online services for getting birth control pills. It has more than 26,000 customer reviews. Nurx sells birth control pills and other methods of birth control, such as the ring, patch, and shot.

Before being matched with a Nurx medical professional to get a prescription, you must first answer a few basic medical questions. You will be asked about your gender, age, weight, height, and how long you have been using birth control.

Nurx will also take your blood pressure and ask you about your health to figure out which birth control method is best for you.

For an initial fee of $15, the Nurx medical team will set up a medical consultation, which includes a year of unlimited messaging for any questions you may have, and they’ll give you a prescription. This fee doesn’t cover the cost of filling the prescription, which, depending on your insurance coverage, may be free or cost an extra fee. Nurx has options starting at $15 per month with free delivery if you don’t have health insurance.

After your consultation, the Nurx pharmacy will fill your prescription and send you a 3-month supply with automatic refills. This means that you can get your medicine without having to get a new prescription or make a follow-up appointment.

Plan can be cancelled at any time.

Most reviewers like Nurx’s customer service, how professional it is, how discreet its packaging is, and how easy it is to use. On its website, the company has a score of 4.8, but some reviewers have said that it takes too long for the company to answer their messages.

In addition to birth control, Nurx offers a number of other health services, such as dermatology, emergency contraception, treatments for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and migraine medications. The company also offers STI and COVID-19 tests that can be done at home.

Pros

There are more than 100 different kinds of birth control, both generic and brand-name.
People who can’t use combination birth control have a number of other choices.
Nurx gives trans and nonbinary customers who use birth control recognition and help. They can talk to a medical team about interactions and make sure that birth control won’t interfere with gender-affirming therapy.
There are ways to stop pregnancy in an emergency.

Cons

Nurx does not have medical professionals in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Most deliveries take between three and five business days. But some online reviewers say that it took longer for their prescriptions to get to them.
The $15 consultation fee is not paid for by insurance.

Best for timely care

Lemonaid

There are 100+ pills, the NuvaRing, and the Xulane patch.
We chose it because they answer quickly and care.

Lemonaid writes prescriptions for more than 100 birth control pills, as well as the NuvaRing and the Xulane patch. Each prescription is good for one year, and most deliveries come with a three-month supply.

One of the best things about Lemonaid is how fast the company works. Depending on the rules in your state, the delivery company tries to review medical requests within 24 business hours. Before you can get a prescription in some states, you have to have a telehealth visit by phone or video.

Lemonaid is also one of the few companies that can help people in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To order through the service, you must be 18 or older.

The Lemonaid mail-order pharmacy will send your prescriptions to you, but you will have to pay for them yourself. If you want to use your insurance to pay for birth control, Lemonaid can write you a prescription and send it to a local pharmacy. Medical consultations done by the site are not covered by insurance.

Most reviews say that Lemonaid is quick, simple, and cheap. Some reviewers are worried about having to wait a long time for a video visit with a doctor.

Lemonaid also offers different tests and treatments for people with anxiety, depression, insomnia, urinary tract infections, acne, asthma, hypothyroidism, and other conditions.

The fee for seeing a doctor is $25. The price of a 3-month supply of medicine starts at $15 per month. There may be discounts for first-time orders.

Pros

In 2 to 3 days, Lemonaid will send you your order for free.
They can be bought in every state in the U.S. and in Washington, D.C.
If you’re out of refills or haven’t been there in over a year, you can get a free visit.

Cons

You can’t take advantage of home delivery if you have insurance.
The cost of a consultation is $25, which is more than some competitors charge.

Best for variety of pill offerings

SimpleHealth

There are more than 120 pill, patch, and ring options for birth control.
We chose it because it has a lot of different pill options.

SimpleHealth, as its name suggests, makes it easy to get birth control. You can fill out a medical history form that a SimpleHealth doctor will look over to find a birth control brand that will work well for you and is safe.

The one-time consultation fee is $20 and includes ongoing communication with your doctor and patient experience team. Most insurance plans cover birth control in full, and out-of-pocket costs start at $15 per month.

Reviews.io shows that SimpleHealth has more than 6,000 reviews and a 4.60 rating. About 90% of reviewers say they would recommend SimpleHealth to a friend, and 95% say the product arrived on time. Reviewers like how easy and convenient it is to send things online.

Some reviewers, though, say that their birth control orders were late and that customer service wasn’t helpful.

SimpleHealth sells its own brand of multivitamins, supplements for the urinary tract, and probiotics in addition to birth control.

Pros

There are more than 120 types of affordable birth control pills to choose from.
If there are problems with your experience or you change your mind, you can get the fee for the first consultation back.
Shipments to homes go out quickly and on time.
There are ways to stop pregnancy in an emergency.

Cons

Some reviewers say that after a few months of using the service, their birth control brand changed without their knowledge.
Some reviewers say that it’s not always easy to get in touch with the customer service team.
SimpleHealth doesn’t have a phone number, so customers have to email or text customer service and may have to wait a few days for a response.

Best for overall sexual health

Hers

Pills, condoms, and other forms of birth control are available.
Why we went with it: talks about health issues other than pregnancy

When it comes to packaging, nothing beats this style, which looks great. From the typeface designed for millennials to the colourful envelopes for pill packs, Hers has simple packaging and a process that is just as simple.

Hers has 13 different birth control pills, but you can only get the generic versions. Like most online prescription services, Hers requires a short questionnaire. After a Hers doctor looks over your medical questionnaire, you’ll have a quick chat to figure out which pill is best for you.

Hers professionals are available in every state and can help with things like acne, mood changes, headaches, and missed periods, which aren’t just about getting pregnant. After your visit, you can talk to your professional about any questions or concerns you may have.

Six days before your last dose, you’ll get a new pack of pills. This way, you’ll never miss a day. Reviewers like that the prices are low and the shipping is easy.

Hers also sells products for sexual health, like condoms, personal lubricants, vibrators, and treatments for yeast infections and STIs.

The company is related to Hims, which is a brand of health, hair, and skin care products for men. Hims and Hers both sell some of the same hair and skin care products.

Hers doesn’t take insurance, so you have to pay for it yourself. They have plans that cost as little as $12 per month, but some pills cost more than others.

Pros

In every state, Hers has cheap generic birth control pills starting at $12 per month.
Users say that deliveries are always made on time and are free.
Hers gives detailed information about which pills are best for treating acne, PMS, and heavy periods, among other things.
You can talk to doctors about your options and get medical advice about your sexual health and activity without fear of being judged.

Cons

Hers only sells generic brands, so if you want a name brand, you should look somewhere else.
They don’t take insurance, so you have to pay cash for everything.

Best for seeking female doctors

Pandia Health

Pills, patches, rings, and emergency contraception are all ways to stop pregnancy.
We chose it because it was started and run by women.

Pandia Health is the only birth control delivery service that was started and is run by women. This makes it a great choice for people who want to support a business owned by women.

The company was started by Yen, a doctor with more than 20 years of experience, with the goal of making its customers’ lives easier by giving them access to birth control when they need it.

If you already have a prescription, you can upload it and start getting your birth control right away. If you need a prescription, you’ll have to pay $25 and fill out a short health consultation form, which a Pandia Health doctor will then look over.

Most people pay nothing for insurance. Prices start at $15 per month without insurance and include free delivery. If you live in California, Florida, Louisiana, or Texas, you can apply for financial help to pay for the $25 consultation fee, birth control, and emergency contraceptive.

You’ll need your most recent blood pressure reading, a government ID, a credit card, and, if you have health insurance, your card.

If you have insurance, Pandia Health will write you a prescription. The company’s partner pharmacy will send you your birth control for free and automatically refill it for a year. Depending on your insurance, you may get one month’s worth of pills at a time. If you pay out of pocket, Pandia Health can send you up to a year’s worth of medicine.

Reviewers say that Pandia Health is cheap, easy to use, and has fast shipping. They have birth control patches, rings, and emergency contraceptives in addition to birth control pills.

Pros

You can upload your already-filled prescription to Pandia Health.
Doctors will check in with you from time to time to see how you’re doing with your birth control.
You can give money to the Center for Policy Analysis, which is a charity partner of Pandia Health. This will help underserved women get telemedicine consultations and birth control.
There are ways to stop pregnancy in an emergency.

Cons

Most insurance plans are accepted by Pandia Health. However, Kaiser, Cal Optima, LA Care, Humana, Sunshine Health, and StayWell are not accepted at this time.
All 50 states can get deliveries from Pandia Health for prescriptions that are still being filled. But Pandia Health can only offer online medical consultations and new prescriptions in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming, which are the only states with licenced medical professionals.

Best for sweet surprises

Favor

Pills, the Annovera ring, the FC2 internal condom, and emergency contraception are all forms of birth control.

Why we went with it: Birth control that is cheap and comes with extras

Favor, which used to be called The Pill Club, sends out special items with every shipment. The company sells more than 120 brands that are OK with the FDA. Favor also lets you get a generic Plan B or an FC2 internal condom in addition to the pills.

After you fill out a questionnaire, the Favor medical team will help you choose a birth control method that fits your needs. Depending on your insurance, once you get your prescription, you can choose between a one-month supply or a three-month supply.

If you already have an active prescription from a previous provider, you can skip the medical consultation and work with Favor to fill your prescription. Bonus: The company ships to all 50 states, including Washington, D.C., and they can write prescriptions in 47 states. Arkansas, Alaska, and Mississippi, as well as U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, are not included.

Favor has a 4.8 rating on the iPhone App Store and has delivered more than 5 million prescriptions. Reviewers like the helpful medical staff, the ability to text, the price, and, of course, the treats.
Favor sells the Annovera ring, emergency contraception, the FC2 internal condom, and a wide range of popular birth control pill brands.

If you have health insurance, your doctor’s visit and birth control pills are covered. If you choose to pay out of pocket, the consultation is free, but packs start at $6.99 per pack. Also, there is a $15 consultation fee for membership every year, whether you pay with insurance or cash.

Pros

With each delivery, you get fun treats once a month.
There are many different brands and generics of birth control pills.
You can share your old prescription with the company.
All 50 states can get delivery, and they can write prescriptions in most U.S. states.
The out-of-pocket costs each month are less than for other services.
There is emergency birth control available.

Cons

Some Medicaid plans don’t let Favor automatically ship refills, but if this is the case, the company will let you know.
Favor doesn’t write birth control prescriptions for people in Alaska, Arkansas, Mississippi, or U.S. territories like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Best for convenience

Optum

Pills, a patch, a ring, and gel are all forms of birth control.

We chose it because we could get appointments quickly and it was free.

Optum is proud of the fact that it works around its patients’ schedules and doesn’t make them wait around for an appointment. Your personalised treatment plan will be ready in as little as 24 hours, and the Optum team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Plus, they send your birth control right to you, which makes the whole thing very easy.

Initial consultations and shipping are free, and depending on the type you choose, your birth control auto-refill treatment can start as low as $10. There are more than 30 brands to choose from, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs.

Pros

We offer free shipping.
Plan for treatment made quickly.
There are different kinds of birth control.

Cons

There were no appointments made.
Not a lot of insurance plans would cover it.

Compare the best online birth control services

	Accepts insurance?	Virtual consultation fee	Expected delivery	Other products available
Nurx	yes	$15	3–5 days	morning after pill, STI treatments, migraine medication
Lemonaid	yes	$25	2–3 days	treatments for anxiety, depression, acne & more
SimpleHealth	yes	$20	2–7 days	multivitamins, probiotic supplements, urinary tract support
Hers	no	included in subscription fee	6 days before last dose	condoms, lubricants, vibrators, yeast infection & STI treatments
Pandia Health	yes	$20	2–3 days	emergency contraception, acne treatment
Favor	yes	free, but there’s a $15 yearly membership fee	3–5 days	emergency contraception, skin care
Optum	some	free for first provider consult, subsequent consults are $15	5 business days	medication/treatment, personal care, tests & devices, baby, child & home health products

Types of birth control

There are many ways to keep from having children, such as the ones below.

Pill: The pill is a cheap hormonal method of birth control that works well and has few side effects. The pill is great for people who want an easy-to-take method of birth control and may also be looking for other ways to improve their health. For example, some pills help get rid of acne and keep you from getting pregnant at the same time.
Patch: The hormones in the contraceptive patch are the same as those in other types of birth control, but it is easier to use because it is a small, easy-to-stick patch. This method is great for people who don’t want to (or can’t) remember to take a pill every day.
Ring: The discreet hormonal birth control ring is worn in the vagina for 4 weeks and is easy to change at home. This method is great for people who don’t want to have to remember to take a pill every day and don’t like how a patch feels.
IUD (intrauterine device): An IUD is a small contraceptive that stays in your uterus for a long time to keep you from getting pregnant. It is made of flexible plastic in the shape of a T and can be a progestin or copper IUD. Both kinds of devices work by changing how sperm move inside the uterus so that they can’t reach an egg. This kind of birth control is great for people who want a long-term method that can be undone.
Gel: Vaginal gel is a newer type of birth control that doesn’t use hormones. It stops pregnancy by lowering the pH level of the vagina when sperm is present. This makes it harder for sperm to move around, which makes it less likely that it will meet an egg and cause a pregnancy. Gel is a great way to stop getting pregnant if you can’t take hormonal birth control or just don’t want to.
Condom:Standard condoms go around the penis and keep the sperm from touching an egg. When used correctly, they stop about 98% of pregnancies. They are made of very thin latex, polyisoprene, or polyurethane. Since condoms also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they are great for people who just want one way to stay safe.
Internal condom: Internal (or “female”) condoms work the same way that standard “male” condoms do to protect against pregnancy and STIs. But these soft plastic (nitrile) pouches are put in the vagina to prevent pregnancy or in the vagina or anus to prevent STIs by making a barrier that stops sperm from reaching an egg. Like regular condoms, this method of birth control is great for people who only want one way to protect themselves.
Emergency contraception: The first is an IUD, which can be used within 5 days of sex without a condom or other barrier. This is the most effective emergency contraception type. The second type is an emergency birth control pill, also called “the morning-after pill.” It should be taken within 5 days of not using safer sex. This type of birth control is for people who did not use another method of birth control while having sex or whose birth control method did not work or was likely to not work (i.e., due to forgetting to use birth control, experiencing a condom breaking, or experiencing another circumstance that could result in pregnancy).

How to buy birth control online

With the rise of companies that deliver on demand, it’s easier than ever to get birth control. You can now order birth control online with just a few clicks instead of going to your doctor or a clinic.

When you shop online, you should make sure that the online delivery is real and that it is run by doctors who know a lot about birth control.

“Look for companies that list the first and last names, degrees, and years of experience of their doctors,” says Yen. “You want expert care from expert doctors, so it’s a good idea to do some research before choosing an online company for birth control or telemedicine. Check the reviews on Google to see how reliable the service is.”

When to speak with a doctor

For in-person prescriptions

If you can’t use birth control with oestrogen because of a medical condition, you might want to get a birth control prescription in person. Contraindications are things that mean you shouldn’t take the pill because it could hurt you.

Some common reasons not to do something are:

high blood pressure
history of blood clots
history of lupus with clotting antibodies
breast cancer
liver cancer
being a smoker over age 35 years
diabetes with complications
history of migraine with aura

When you go to a doctor or nurse in person to get a birth control prescription, you can talk about your medical history, have your blood pressure taken and watched, and get any other exams you need.

In-person visits can give you a more thorough look at your health, which is especially important if you’re starting birth control for the first time or after a long time.

For health concerns

If you have specific health concerns, it is very important to talk to a doctor before you start birth control.

Like other medicines, birth control can have risks and side effects that may be worse for people with certain past or present health conditions. People who have had breast cancer may be told not to use hormonal birth control. Or, other medicines you might be taking to treat a health problem could make your birth control less effective.

How your body responds to birth control may also depend on how you live. For example, if you smoke while taking the birth control pill, you may be more likely to get blood clots.

Even though birth control has known side effects like spotting and cramping, an app or automated service can’t help you as much as a doctor can if you’re worried about any of them.

Risks and side effects of birth control

Most people can take birth control pills safely, but they do have some side effects and risks. Because everyone is different, you may or may not have side effects from taking the pill.

Among the most common side effects,

spotting between periods
nausea
headaches
sore breasts

Most side effects go away after a few months, but you should talk to your doctor if you still feel bad after three months. Birth control shouldn’t make you sick, and your doctor can help you find the best method for you.

Even though they are rare, oral contraceptives also come with some more serious health risks. A rare but serious risk of birth control pills, especially combination pills, is blood clots.

Clots in the blood can cause:

deep vein thrombosis
heart attack
stroke
pulmonary embolism

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using combination birth control if you have high blood pressure or a bigger body.

Also, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of blood clots or if you have ever had a stroke or heart attack migraine with aura.

Fake pills

People make fake pills to trick people. They are everywhere, are sold online every day, and are dirty. They also don’t have the right active ingredient or any ingredient at all. If they do have the right ingredients, they are in the wrong amount. They could hurt you badly or cause you to get pregnant when you don’t want to.

Because of these things, it’s very important to do your research and be careful about where you buy birth control pills online. Many fake pill packages look exactly like the real ones, but when you look at the pills themselves, you can tell the difference.

Frequently asked questions about birth control

Is it OK to buy birth control online?

Yes, it is safe and easy to buy birth control online from reputable stores. These services can help you if you want to get your prescription by mail or if you need to get a prescription online.

But if you have some health problems, like high blood pressure, it’s best to go to a doctor in person.

Can I get birth control without a doctor?

You need a prescription to buy birth control pills, but you don’t have to go to a doctor’s office to get it. You can get a prescription for birth control over the phone or through an online service.

You can also get a prescription from your local pharmacist in some places, like California.

Which online birth control subscription is best?

Online, you can find a lot of services for birth control. To find the one that’s right for you, you need to know what features you want and choose a provider that offers those features.

For example, if you need your prescription as soon as possible, Lemonaid might be best.

How much is birth control?

There is no set pricing for birth control because it depends on things like whether and how much your insurance covers it, where you get it, and what kind you get.

It can cost free or as much as $2,000. The National Women’s Health Network says that birth control pills can cost anywhere from $20 and $50 per pack, or $240–600 annually.

Do I need insurance to get birth control?

To get birth control, you don’t need insurance. You don’t have to get a loan. Many private and employer health plans are required to cover family planning and birth control at no extra cost, but the type and amount of coverage varies from plan to plan.

Takeaway

Oral contraceptives are a safe and effective way to keep from getting pregnant and ease the pain of your period. Birth control pills treat a wide range of health problems and can even help prevent endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Online companies that deliver birth control help remove barriers to access by making it easy and cheap to get birth control, even if you don’t have insurance.

Before you buy something online, it’s best to be careful and do some research on the company.

Online birth control delivery programmes are a quick and easy way to get birth control, but they aren’t good for people with certain health problems.

The 6 Best Services for Birth Control Online for 2023