Let’s face it. We’re living in an unprecedented, weird (and sometimes scary) time in history. It’s a total bummer that we can’t go out with friends, but even worse that it’s so difficult to go out and get the essentials! Especially with our healthcare system so impacted, clinics closed, and pharmacies slowing down business in some parts of the country, getting what you need so you can be getting it on is a struggle.
If you’re wondering about sex during social distancing, take a peek at this NY Times article that breaks it all down for us. We totally agree with their recommendation to practice self-love and sex with your live-in partner(s)!
Being stuck at home sucks, but avoid the temptation to stop taking your birth control. It’s an important daily medication that people take for a bunch of different reasons; and for some people, it’s a necessary medication regardless of if they’re lucky enough to be sheltering with a partner or not. Luckily, we live in a technological age that allows us to have digital access to these and other important prescriptions.
As always, Lovability is here for you! If you’re new to the birth control game, check out our comprehensive list of every birth control option under the sun. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, or if you’re a seasoned birth control veteran, keep reading for my low-down on some online birth control retailers that make staying at home in bed sound like a pretty good option.
Ever been curious about the possibility of getting your birth control delivered straight to your door, but been too worried about risks to change your routine? Ordering online might sound kinda sketchy at first, but a study by Harvard Medical School revealed that getting these kinds of prescriptions online is actually totally safe! The process is also really simple: all you have to do is answer a few questions about your health, and provide your health insurance info if you have it (if not, no worries). A member of their team of doctors will review your information and then order your prescription or tests. They will mail your prescription right to your door in discreet packaging so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff! Most can send up to 3 month supplies, and include auto-refill options! This process is more or less the same across providers, the main difference being location of coverage.
Here are a few of our fave companies we’ve hand-picked to recommend because of their great features. This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but they will have you covered — whether or not you have insurance, an existing prescription, need emergency contraception or STI testing kits, or even want to contribute to providing birth control across the globe.
NURX
What they’re all about: NURX is awesome because once you’re signed up, you have unlimited access to their medical team for a year. That means you can ask them as many questions as you can think of – like having a doc on call just for you! They also offer at home STI testing kits, HPV testing, and HIV prevention medication (PrEP). They offer over 100 brands, and automatically send you a 3-month supply, with automatic refills!
Birth control types offered: Pill, patch, ring, shot, and emergency contraception
Initial consultation cost: $15 (for everyone, with or without insurance)
Cost for birth control: As low as $0 with insurance, and brands that start at $15/month for those without insurance
Delivery time: 2-4 days
What states have access? Alabama, California, Colorado, Washington, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin
Best Feature: The variety of options, the availability of STI testing kits, and the unlimited access to their team of doctors!
The Pill Club
What they’re all about: The Pill Club also ships to all 50 states if you have a prescription all ready to go! But the list of states in which they’re able to create new prescriptions is larger, including a lot of southern states in which it might be difficult to access reproductive health care! They can send up to a 3 month supply, and they also send the product in a cute (but discreet) package, including samples of organic sweet treats, self-care and period products, and stickers!
Birth control types offered: Pill, patch, ring, emergency contraception, and FC2 Internal Condom upon request.
Initial consultation cost: $0
Cost for birth control: As low as $0 with insurance, and options that start at $5/month for those without insurance
Delivery time: 2-4 days
What states have access? Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Best Feature: Lowest price options for those without insurance, number of states with access, and inclusion of freebies!
PRJKT RUBY
What they’re all about: PRJKT RUBY is unique because they offer oral contraceptives for a flat rate of $20, with a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting access to contraception for women in the developing world. They’ve partnered with the nonprofit organization Population Services International (PSI) to support providing reproductive health in developing areas. They only have 5 brands of birth control pills and two types of emergency contraception to offer, and do not offer other forms of birth control, so if you’re looking for a patch or a ring this is not the option for you. But they automatically send a 3-month supply at a time, and they have the largest coverage by state!
Birth control types offered: Pill only
Initial consultation cost: $0
Cost for birth control: $20/month
Delivery time: 2-4 days
What states have access? Every US state except North Carolina
Best Feature: Nonprofit contributions, and number of states with access!
These three options are our top three picks because no matter what your situation is, finding an option that works for you is totally possible – especially geographically! In this wild time in history, let’s continue to assert our rights to reproductive healthcare. The internet has made possible this insanely easy and safe way to get birth control, so let’s take advantage of it!
Pandia
What they’re all about: Pandia is unique because they provide FREE delivery to ALL 50 states if you already have an active prescription. So if you have insurance or are able to get a prescription from your regular doc over the phone or internet, it might be a really great option for you, no matter where you live. If you need a new prescription and do not have insurance, Pandia is only able to provide online doctor consultations for those who live in California, Florida, and Texas.
Birth control types offered: Pill, patch, ring, and emergency contraception (morning-after pill)
Initial consultation cost: $20 (if you need a prescription)
Cost for birth control: As low as $0 with insurance, and brands that start at $15/month for those without insurance
Delivery time: 2-4 days
What states have access? All 50 with active prescription. California, Florida, and Texas without.
Best Feature: Similar to The Pill Club, Pandia ships to all 50 states and provides free goodies in every shipment. The biggest difference is that they can only do this for people with existing prescriptions, and the only states in which they service people who need new prescriptions are CA, FL, and TX. This makes it a great option for prescription-holders! If you have a prescription and are able to, giving your business to a company that primarily services people with active prescriptions frees up service at other companies like The Pill Club who can then help more people who are in need of new prescriptions.
Aside from hormonal birth controls, there are a lot of other options to keep you safe while getting down when you’re staying in. For one, condoms are a great, external birth control that come with the added benefit of STI protection! Even though you’re not having sex with a multitude of new partners during our current “shelter in place” situation, you still might need condoms so you can have fun with your shelter buddy/(ies). Lovability is the perfect place to order your body-safe, vegan condoms! We’re still delivering all day every day, so please take the opportunity to stay in, stay safe, and still have fun!
Making sure you’re staying safe sexually is still top priority, national emergency or not. A lot of people have already discovered how amazing it can be to get your birth control delivered, and online services like the ones we’ve highlighted can be ridiculously useful for people, especially right now. You can always also check out your local Planned Parenthood or Yellowhammer for more resources on affordable birth control access. So if you’re thinking about it, I encourage you to take the plunge!
About The Author, Elizabeth Mason
A recent graduate of UC Berkeley, Elizabeth Mason earned her degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. Currently, she is looking towards graduate school, and hopes to continue to focus her studies on womxn’s health and sexual wellness. Her main interests include identity politics and their relation to issues surrounding womxn’s healthcare and sexual liberation. She looks forward to the day when all womxn are empowered socially, politically, and – most importantly – sexually. She can be found on Instagram @elizabeth.mason.
