What Are My Birth Control Options If I Don’t Have Insurance?

Pros of the pill

Cons of the pill

Accessible: The pill can be accessed through telehealth services and in some states, directly from your pharmacist.

Other uses beyond birth control: Some pills are also used to treat acne, irregular periods, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Many options available: You can try a different pill if one doesn’t work for you.

Control over taking it: You can start or stop the pill at any time, and you can also take it continuously to avoid bleeding altogether.

Adherence: You need to remember to take it every day (sometimes at the same time daily).

Avoid if nursing: Estrogen-containing pills aren’t recommended for nursing mothers.

Side effects: These can vary greatly between women, so you may need to try a few pills to find one that’s right for you.

Pros of the patch

Cons of the patch

Ease of use: Weekly application may be easier to remember than a daily pill.

Accessible: The patch can be accessed through telehealth services and in some states, directly from your pharmacist.

Control over taking it: You can start or stop applying the patch at any time.

Limited options: There are only two types of patches to choose from.

May fall off: Sometimes, the patch can fall off. This raises the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Cost: The patch tends to be more expensive than other forms of birth control without insurance.

Avoid if nursing: Both brands of contraceptive patches aren’t recommended for nursing mothers.

Pros of the ring

Cons of the ring

Frequency of use: Nuvaring and its generic only need to be inserted once every 3 to 4 weeks. Annovera allows you to keep using the same ring for 13 menstrual cycles.

Accessible: The ring can be accessed through telehealth services.

Control over taking it: You can start or stop using the ring at any time.

Limited options: There are only two types of ring to choose from.

May take some practice: Inserting the ring correctly may take practice, and some people may not be comfortable using it.

May fall out: Rarely, the ring can fall out, which means the risk for unintended pregnancy goes up.

May make sex uncomfortable: While this shouldn’t be painful, you may be able to feel the ring while having sex.

Avoid if nursing: Both brands of contraceptive patches aren’t recommended for nursing mothers.

Pros of the shot

Cons of the shot

Price: With costs as low as $12 for 3 months’ supply, it’s a very affordable birth control option without insurance.

Ease of use: The shot only needs to be given once every 3 months.

Discreet: No one else can see or tell if you receive the shot.

Minimal bleeding: Most women have either very light or no bleeding while on the shot.

Safe if nursing: The shot doesn’t contain any estrogen. So, it’s fine to use when nursing.

Cannot inject yourself: You’ll need an appointment with a healthcare provider to receive it.

Potential fertility issues: It can take some time for fertility to return to normal after you stop getting the shot. It might not be an ideal option if you’re considering pregnancy in the near future.

Weight gain: This is common in the first 6 months after starting the shot. Some women had a 5% weight gain with the shot.

Weakened bones: This is more likely with over 2 years of use. Your healthcare provider will likely monitor your bone health while you’re using the shot. 

Pros of IUDs

Cons of IUDs

Long-lasting: Can last from 3 to 10 years after insertion.

Effective: Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Less bleeding (hormonal IUDs): Mirena (levonorgestrel) is FDA-approved to help lighten periods for women who have heavy menstrual bleeding.

Non-hormonal option: ParaGard (the copper IUD) is great for those who can’t or don’t want to use hormonal birth control.

Safe if nursing: None of the IUDs contain any estrogen. So all five are fine to use when nursing.

Requires a healthcare provider: You'll need an appointment with a healthcare provider to insert and remove your IUD.

Discomfort: IUD insertion and removal can be uncomfortable or painful.

Irregular or heavy bleeding: Periods may be irregular for the first 3 to 6 months after having an IUD placed. Usually this gets better over time. ParaGard may cause your periods to be heavier or longer for the first 3 to 6 months.

Risk of pelvic infection: IUDs come with a risk of causing pelvic infections, especially shortly after they’re placed. If you have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an IUD may not be the safest option for you.

Risk of IUD movement: Rarely, your IUD may move after it has been placed. In extreme cases, it can become stuck in or move through the wall of your uterus, which requires immediate medical attention.

Pros of the implant

Cons of the implant

Long-lasting: Lasts for up to 3 years after it’s placed.

Effective: 99.95% effective

Less bleeding: Periods may become lighter or stop altogether after the first few months after placement.

Control over fertility: It typically takes about 1 to 2 cycles for pregnancy to occur after removing Nexplanon

Safe if nursing: The implant doesn’t contain any estrogen. So, it’s fine to use when nursing.

Requires a healthcare provider: You’ll need an appointment with an implant-trained healthcare provider to insert and remove it.

Cost: While the monthly cost is low, the implant requires a higher upfront cost. There are also costs associated with the visits for insertion and removal, which can increase the overall cost.

Side effects: Irregular bleeding can occur for the first 3 months you have the implant. It also commonly causes acne.

Implant movement: Rarely, the implant may move out of place. This raises the risk of unintended pregnancy. It may also require surgery to remove the implant safely.