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United States of America: Difference between revisions
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Contraceptives (hormonal and non-hormonal) are available in the United States of America, but many forms require a prescription. Generally, condoms, spermicide, contraceptive gels, and the birth control sponge are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies without a prescription. However, for contraceptive pills, rings, patches, injectables, implants, or IUDs a prescription is usually required. Pills can usually be attained in a drug store or pharmacy after receiving a prescription. IUDs, injectables, or implants usually require that the person comes into a clinic or medical facility to receive the contraception. | Contraceptives (hormonal and non-hormonal) are available in the United States of America, but many forms require a prescription. Generally, condoms, spermicide, contraceptive gels, and the birth control sponge are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies without a prescription. However, for contraceptive pills, rings, patches, injectables, implants, or IUDs a prescription is usually required. Pills can usually be attained in a drug store or pharmacy after receiving a prescription. IUDs, injectables, or implants usually require that the person comes into a clinic or medical facility to receive the contraception. | ||
=== | ===Clinics=== | ||
Since the clinic options vary by metropolitan area, here are some general guidelines when trying to find a provider: | |||
* [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center Planned Parenthood Health Centers]: You can find a range of services at your local Planned Parenthood. They have health centers across the country, offering a range of contraceptives. They often have lower prices than if you go to a private hospital or clinic. | |||
* Feminist and women's clinics: You can usually find feminist and/or women's clinics in all metropolitan areas of the United States. These facilities often provide a range of services, including access to contraceptives, STI tests, gynecological exams, pregnancy care, abortion services (if legally permitted), and counseling. To find a clinic near you, type in "women's clinic" + your city into a search engine as a starting point. You can also visit the Gynopedia page for your area to find local clinic options. | |||
* LGBTQ+ clinics: LGBTQ+ clinics often provide a range of free or low-cost services to the LGBTQ+ community, including access to condoms, STI tests, counseling, and crisis management. To find a clinic near you, type in "LGBT clinic" + your city into a search engine as a starting point. You can also visit the Gynopedia page for your area to find local clinic options. | |||
* Pharmacies: If you want to buy birth control that does not require a prescription, or if you have a prescription for birth control that can be purchases at pharmacies, you can visit your local pharmacy to attain the birth control. There are local pharmacy companies. There are also large chain stores with pharmacy services in the United States, such as CVS Health, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart. | |||
=== What's available === | |||
* '''Condoms''' (external and internal) are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies (i.e., no prescription is required). External condoms are about 85% effective at preventing pregnancy, if used correctly.<ref name=":0">https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom</ref> Internal condoms (also called "female condoms") are about 79% effective at preventing pregnancy.<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/internal-condom</ref> | * '''Condoms''' (external and internal) are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies (i.e., no prescription is required). External condoms are about 85% effective at preventing pregnancy, if used correctly.<ref name=":0">https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom</ref> Internal condoms (also called "female condoms") are about 79% effective at preventing pregnancy.<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/internal-condom</ref> | ||
* '''Spermicide''' or '''contraceptive gel''' are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies (i.e., no prescription is required). Depending on the brand, they are about 72% effective at preventing pregnancy. They need to be used with diaphragms or cervical caps in order to work effectively.<ref name=":5">https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/spermicide</ref> Note that both diaphragms<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/diaphragm</ref> and cervical caps<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/cervical-cap</ref> require a prescription. There is also a contraceptive gel called Phexxi that is about 86% effective at preventing pregnancy.<ref name=":5" /><ref>https://www.goodrx.com/phexxi/how-effective-is-phexxi</ref> | * '''Spermicide''' or '''contraceptive gel''' are available over-the-counter at drug stores and pharmacies (i.e., no prescription is required). Depending on the brand, they are about 72% effective at preventing pregnancy. They need to be used with diaphragms or cervical caps in order to work effectively.<ref name=":5">https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/spermicide</ref> Note that both diaphragms<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/diaphragm</ref> and cervical caps<ref>https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/cervical-cap</ref> require a prescription. There is also a contraceptive gel called Phexxi that is about 86% effective at preventing pregnancy.<ref name=":5" /><ref>https://www.goodrx.com/phexxi/how-effective-is-phexxi</ref> | ||