What to know about buying birth control pills online

Buying birth control online, also known as telecontraception, can help remove barriers for people who find it difficult to get to a pharmacy or live in remote areas without access to health centers that offer contraception.

People who lack the time or finances to obtain a prescription for birth control can also benefit from this service, as they can access medication quickly via their computer or mobile phone.

However, there are potential risks that come with purchasing birth control medication online. These risks include the possibility of buying fake, expired, or unsafe medication.

Is it legal to buy birth control pills online?

Since the Supreme Court recognized people’s right to obtain contraception, access to birth control pills is legally protected in 13 states and the District of Columbia as of October 2023. These states include:

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

You need to be 18 years old or above to purchase birth control pills online on most sites. However, there are a few telemedicine companies that offer these services to people who are younger than 18 years. Companies that serve minors do not require parental or guardian consent and will not share a person’s birth control status with families or friends.

Is it safe to buy birth control pills online?

A 2019 study suggests that buying birth control pills online via telecontraception companies is safe.

The study aimed to ensure that prescription guidelines were being met and reported that telemedicine companies were adequately screening their customers for risk factors and safely providing birth control.

Common examples of birth control pills include:

• progestogen-only pills, such as norethindrone (Camila)
• combination pills, such as drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (Yaz) and norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Microgestin)

How to find a reputable platform when buying birth control pills online

When buying contraception online, make sure that the website or telemedicine company is legitimate and uses medical professionals who specialize in birth control.

Although some pharmacies operate legally, not all websites are the same.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that people look for certain verification requirements before purchasing birth control pills. The company should:

• always require a doctor’s prescription before issuing medication
• have a physical address and telephone number registered in the United States
• have a licensed pharmacist available to answer any questions
• include the full name, education, and experience of their doctors on the website
• be licensed by a state board of pharmacy

You can check the pharmacy’s license by using the location tool on the FDA’s BeSafeRx website. If the online pharmacy is not listed, do not use it.

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What are the potential risks of buying birth control pills online?

Some online pharmacies sell unapproved or unsafe medications which do not meet licensed pharmacy guidelines. These medications may come from anywhere and be fake, expired, or unsafe to take.

Warning signs to look out for include:

• the pharmacist prescribes medication without a doctor’s prescription
• the pharmacy is not licensed in the United States or by the state board of pharmacy
• the website does not have a licensed pharmacist on hand to answer questions
• medication that arrives through the post looks different than what was expected
• medication arrives in broken, damaged packaging that is expired, has no expiration date, or is written in a foreign language
• the website offers large discounts on medication or charges for products that were never ordered or received
• the website does not clearly state how it uses or protects a person’s financial or personal information

Other potential risks include:

• Limited screening: The website may not tell users about underlying medical conditions that may interact with their birth control pill. Also, prescribing doctors may not ask about underlying medical conditions.
• Prescribing doctors do not know their patients: A doctor may need to have a conversation with the person to ensure that the birth control pill is the best contraception for them. There may be limited opportunities for a person to discuss other health conditions, undertake cervical screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if needed, or monitor a person’s blood pressure.

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What alternative can you consider?

As well as getting birth control via an online pharmacy or website, people may wish to consider alternative methods such as telehealth consultations or visiting a doctor in person.

Telehealth consultations

Telehealth companies such as Planned Parenthood offer a wide range of services via telehealth and accept people who do not currently have insurance coverage or are on a low income.

Telehealth consultations provide people with a ‘face-to-face’ appointment through a video visit with an expert provider via smartphone, computer, or tablet. Appointments are scheduled online or by phone, and the person will receive an email and text link for the video visit. Visits follow a similar structure to those carried out in person.

Some telehealth companies offer people the option to download an app and get text-based health appointments. Here, people answer health-related questions securely via the app with a healthcare professional who reviews the answers. If the person is eligible for online care, the provider will typically prescribe medication within 1 business day.

Visiting a primary care provider

People may opt to obtain a prescription for birth control via their primary care provider. For some, this may be a better option especially if they have other health conditions they wish to discuss or need to book a cervical screening appointment. Some may also need to have regular blood pressure checks before their doctor can prescribe birth control.

Alternatively, if you need to renew your existing prescription for birth control medication, you may wish to ask a primary care provider, obstetrician, or gynecologist to send your birth control prescription to an online pharmacy.

Summary

Buying birth control pills online is a convenient and simple way of obtaining medication.

However, ensure that the website or pharmacy you are purchasing medication from is a reputable platform to avoid fake, or unsafe medication.

You may wish to look at alternatives to buying birth control pills online, such as telehealth companies, visiting your primary care provider in person, or asking a doctor to send your birth control prescription to an online pharmacy.

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