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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. 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. Share on Pinterest A quick look at the best places to get birth control pills onlineBest for choice NurxBest free trial WispBest for medical support FavorBest subscription service SimpleHealthBetween 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. What are birth control pills 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 Types of birth control pills include:Combination pill: This pill contains both estrogen and progestin. Estrogen prevents the eggs from developing, and the progestin prevents ovulation and helps thicken the cervical mucus.Progestin-only pills: The progestin in these pills works by thickening the cervical wall to stop fertilization.Emergency contraception: Some pills, such as those containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal, can prevent pregnancy if a person takes them as soon as possible after having sex without other forms of contraception. The sooner a person takes emergency contraception, the more effective it can be. Emergency contraceptive pills do not have any effect on an already established pregnancy. 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: heart diseasedeep vein thrombosishistory of strokeseizure disordershyperlipidemia Who is birth control good for Birth control pills are suitable for individuals having penetrative sex that do not wish to become pregnant. Does birth control really work 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. Product list 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. Best for choice Nurx 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. Advantages:a wide array of brands and prices to choose fromfree shippingaccepts most forms of health insurancealso provides medications for acne, migraine, cold sores, and mental health Disadvantages:not available in all statesthe consultation fee is not usually eligible for coverage through insurersdoes not accept government healthcare programsSHOP NOW Best free trial Wisp 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. Advantages:free shippingavailable in all 50 statesfree trial Disadvantages:does not accept insurance as paymentSHOP NOW Best for medical support Favor 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. Advantages:products are available in all 50 statesthe company offers free deliverythere is ongoing medical support Disadvantages:the company may require some people in some states to have a video consultationthere is an additional payment for a consultationSHOP NOW AT LIQUID I.V. Best subscription service SimpleHealth 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. Advantages:free shippingaccepts most insurance plans Disadvantages:SimpleHealth’s doctors may take 72 hours to review and fulfill prescriptionsdoes not ship to all statesSHOP NOW Birth control pills at a glanceNurxWispFavorSimpleHealthAvailabilityOver 50 brands15over 120 brandsunspecifiedAlternative birth control methodsring, shot, patchN/Aringpatch, ringEmergency contraception?yesyesyesnoAccepts insurance?yes, but not Medicaid or MedicarenoyesyesFree shipping?yesyesyesyes How to choose Here are some considerations when a person is looking for a contraceptive pill.Speak with a doctor: A person should first consult a doctor or healthcare professional to discuss health conditions or medications that could negatively interact with a pill’s ingredients.Menstrual cycle: Some pills may affect a person’s menstrual cycle, so discussing this with a medical professional may help to manage their expectations.Costs: It is important to consider costs with prescribed medication. Some contraceptive pills may cost more than others, and some health insurance plans may cover only part of the costs. Individuals should explore all options to ensure they stay within budget. When to contact a doctor A person may experience minor side effects when first taking or switching birth control pills, including:tender breastsdecreased libidoincreased vaginal dischargebleedingnauseaheadachesabdominal cramping If the side effects worsen or do not resolve after a few weeks, a person should consult a doctor. Frequently asked questions Below, we look at some common questions relating to birth control pills. Can you get pregnant while on birth control 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. What happens when you stop taking birth control 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. Does birth control stop periods 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. Summary 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, 2022Birth Control / Contraception 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Birth control pill. (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pillCombined pill. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pillCooper, D. B., et al. (2017). Oral contraceptive pills.https://europepmc.org/article/NBK/nbk430882Current contraceptive status among women aged 15-49: United States, 2017–2019. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db388.htmDemissie, T. W. et al. (2020). Assessment of emergency contraceptive utilization and associated factors among female college students at Debre Tabor town.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7678215How effective is contraception at preventing pregnancy? (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/how-effective-contraceptionHow safe is the birth control pill? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/how-safe-is-the-birth-control-pillThe progestogen-only pill. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/the-pill-progestogen-onlyFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Sanaz Ghazal, MD, FACOG — By Suzy Davenport on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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Learn where and how to access this, and more. READ MORE2022 Nurx review: Services, costs, alternatives, and FAQsMedically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP Nurx is an online healthcare brand offering various services and medications, including birth control and at-home testing kits. Learn more here.READ MORE