Find Affordable Birth Control and Emergency Contraception Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Women's Health News Find Affordable Birth Control and Emergency Contraception — FastThese vetted resources can explain your options and get you the medications you need. By Rachael RobertsonJune 24, 2022Fact-CheckedYou can get a good deal on the pill and other types of birth control through a delivery service.Jamie Grill Atlas/Stocksy; Everyday HealthWith the overturning of Roe v. Wade, access to reproductive healthcare could be significantly diminished. Now that abortion rights will be decided at the state level, many clinics that provide abortion in addition to broader healthcare like wellness checks and contraception could be forced to close. That leaves many people asking: Where will I get my birth control? Now more than ever, it’s important to plan ahead and know your rights. Don’t wait to learn about all your options. Find them now using these reliable and vetted websites, organizations, and search strategies to access affordable birth control and emergency contraception fast. Use Safe and Reliable Sites Such as Bedsider Bedsider is an online birth control support network. It and similar services can help you decide which types of birth control match your lifestyle and priorities. One thing to consider is where you live, and whether or not emergency contraception or abortion is easily accessible (more on that below). Lean on Planned Parenthood and Other NGOs Find and contact your local Planned Parenthood online or call their national hotline at 800-230-PLAN (800-230-7526) to get information about birth control options near you. Other national nonprofits and research organizations, such as the Guttmacher Institute, track abortion access at the state and national level. If you aren’t sure of the status of abortion or birth control in your state, these resources can help you find more information. Each state has NGOs (nongovernmental organizations or nonprofits) that respond to the specific needs of people seeking birth control and abortion in the area. In Texas, a place with increasingly restrictive abortion laws, organizations like Jane’s Due Process provide legal support, information about reproductive health, and help for young people who need birth control and abortion. Unfortunately, as of Friday, June 24, the site said it was pausing all services and support because of the possibly fluid state of current Texas law in the wake of the SCOTUS decision. “We deeply hope this uncertainty is resolved quickly so we can resume helping young people in Texas.” The National Institute for Reproductive Health also partners with local nonprofits in every state, which is one way to find an NGO near you. Utilize Telemedicine and Delivery Services Most doctor’s offices offer telemedicine, and Planned Parenthood and many birth control websites will connect you with a healthcare provider who can prescribe birth control quickly. If your doctor offers virtual visits, you can probably arrange an appointment, request a refill, or get information about a new type of birth control without physically going into an office. Depending on your state, you may be able to order and refill birth control pills online if you have a prescription. A number of websites offer birth control online. Some of them include Nurx, Twentyeight Health, and Hers. Bedsider has a full list of websites that deliver birth control. These services accept health insurance, but you can also pay out of pocket. Check With Your Local Health Department Depending on where you live, you have different access to affordable birth control. Check your state’s health department website for area-specific options. Search terms like “family planning services,” “birth control,” or “contraception” to find state-approved providers. States that have restrictive abortion laws will have less information that is harder to find. Can I Get Plan B in My State Emergency contraception pills, often referred to as “Plan B” or "the morning-after pill," are not the same as abortion pills. Plan B is taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent an egg from being fertilized in the first place. Emergency contraception is a backup to birth control, in case, for example, a condom breaks. Backup birth control helps ensure prevention of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Like abortion, emergency contraception laws and options vary by state. The Guttmacher Institute lists the state stances on emergency contraception so you can know what emergency contraception is available to you where you live. If you aren’t currently taking hormonal or other long-acting birth control, consider keeping a Plan B pill on hand so you won’t be left scrambling. In this way you might also be able to help a friend in need. They’re available over the counter at most pharmacies. Bear in mind that most emergency contraception pills have weight limits (per Planned Parenthood). If you're concerned this may apply to you, talk to a healthcare provider about the option of having a copper IUD inserted within five days of unprotected sex to prevent fertilization. Buyer Beware Avoid Common Birth Control Shopping Pitfalls Check Your Information Source Every state has crisis pregnancy centers that pose as abortion clinics or women’s healthcare providers who target people seeking information about pregnancy, birth control, and abortion. Terminology like “pregnancy resource center” or “crisis pregnancy center” in a business’s title may indicate a fake women’s health clinic. These outfits are technically legal but don’t meet the standards for women’s healthcare. They also don’t present patients with the full range of options — especially not abortion — and offer limited information in a misleading way. Some websites also position their content as "holistic" without giving information about abortion. For instance, the American Pregnancy Association claims to support pregnancy and wellness on its website and hotline, but does not provide information on the full range of options for terminating a pregnancy. Resources like the Crisis Pregnancy Center Map and Expose Fake Clinics have searchable lists of predatory crisis pregnancy centers. Check to make sure a clinic isn’t on the list before making an appointment. Planned Parenthood recommends that you trust your gut: "If something seems fishy, it probably is. And if you ever feel uncomfortable at a clinic, you have the right to leave at any time." If you want to verify a website you’re unsure about, you can check with Planned Parenthood. Be Aware of Digital Security and Privacy Before you begin searching for information about abortion or contraception, you may need to be careful about how and where you search. In some cases, your digital footprint could be used against you.Use encrypted messaging platforms, such as Signal, when talking to loved ones about birth control or abortion.Consider using public computers, such as at a library, when researching abortion.Use internet browsers with added privacy, such as DuckDuckGo.Turn off location sharing on your phone or computer.Don’t consent to police searches of your phone. Only a judge can legally compel you to turn over a phone, and it requires a subpoena. If you usually use Face ID, turning off your phone will disable this feature and require your password, preventing police from accessing your data even if your phone is confiscated. Remember Abortion Pills Birth control can fail. Condoms can break. If you miss a period and realize you’re pregnant and don’t want to be, act fast. You can use an abortion pill in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy — about three months. If you’re not sure how long you've been pregnant, you can check using this pregnancy calculator from Aid Access. The abortion pill is also referred to as medical abortion or “Plan C.” The medication is a combination of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, and is sold under multiple brands. The nonprofit organization also called Plan C can help you find emergency contraception in your state. If you are unsure of the abortion resources in your area, check this state-by-state guide to abortion guidelines from Abortion Finder. When in doubt, talk with your doctor about birth control and abortion. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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