Birth control describes a wide range of contraceptive methods used to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs/ STDs). When someone says "birth control", they often mean hormonal birth control pills, but it's helpful to know that this term describes a larger set of options. Some other types of birth control methods include:

• Condoms
  
• Vaginal rings (like NuvaRing)
  
• IUDs (intrauterine devices such as Paragard)
  
• Birth control shot (Depo-Provera)
  

Not sure which birth control option is right for you? Good news! Sesame offers convenient reproductive health services including:

• Birth control consultations
  
• Birth control prescriptions
  
• Women's health services
  
• IUD removal
  
• Specialist referrals
  

Birth control subscriptions are commonly available through primary care providers or women's health centers (like OB/GYN clinics). Don't let your insurance plan tell you which doctor you have to see. Pick a provider you want to see and book your appointment on your schedule. It's that simple.

Health care providers on Sesame offer both in-person and telehealth family planning services at clear and affordable prices. Whether you need a new prescription or a refill of an existing prescription, you can save up to 60% when you book birth control services through Sesame- no health insurance needed.

Birth control is a low-cost, safe, and effective way of preventing unplanned pregnancies. Hormonal birth control pills are far less expensive than sterilization procedures such as tubal ligation or vasectomy and have the potential to be 99% effective, if used routinely. Birth control pills usually contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin and provide a number of other benefits in addition to their contraceptive use. Birth control pills can help protect against:

• Acne

• Irregular or heavy periods

• Bone thinning

• Cysts

• Cancer (such as endometrial and ovarian cancer)

• Iron deficiency

• Infections

Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Not sure what type of birth control is right for you? Book a visit with a real, quality doctor on Sesame to talk about birth control options. In-person and telehealth visits are available. Save up to 60% on family planning services when you book through Sesame and get quality care at your convenience- no insurance needed.

The cost of birth control may vary depending on your insurance plan and the type of contraception you're looking for. Price ranges for common forms of birth control are:

Birth control pills: Birth control pills usually cost between $0-$50 per month. A prescription is needed for hormonal birth control pills, so you will need to have a consultation or physical with a health care professional before you can purchase this type of birth control. If you are uninsured, this visit can cost anywhere from $20-$100+.

Intrauterine device (IUD): IUDs must be inserted by a doctor, and can cost between $0-$1,300. An IUD is 99% effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies and can last anywhere from 3-12 years.

Birth control shots (Depo-Provera): Birth control shots contain the hormone progestin, which will prevent ovulation. Basically, this means that there will be no egg to fertilize, making pregnancy extremely unlikely. Birth control shots must be given every 3 months and can cost between $0-$150 per shot.

Vaginal ring (NuvaRing): Vaginal rings release hormones that prevent ovulation. Vaginal rings are 91% effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies but must be replaced every month. Vaginal rings (such as NuvaRing) can cost between $0-$200.

Not sure what type of birth control is right for you? Talk to primary care or women's health providers on Sesame to discuss options and costs. Doctors on Sesame can prescribe birth control for new patients, refill existing prescriptions, and help answer any questions you may have. Save up to 60% on birth control services with Sesame and book an in-person or video visit with a real, quality doctor in Martinez, CA.

Emergency contraception (or morning-after pills) is a safe and effective method of birth control that is used after unprotected sex. The two most common forms of emergency contraception are:

Emergency contraception pills: Pills with ulipristal acetate (ella) or pills with levonorgestrel (Plan B) can prevent unplanned pregnancy if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex. ella is the most effective emergency contraception pill available, but requires a prescription for purchase. Plan B can be purchased over-the-counter at most major drugstores, but is most effective if taken within 3 days of unprotected sex.

Paragard IUD: A copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception (99.9% effective if inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex). An IUD can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex as well as provide birth control for up to 12 years after insertion. IUDs can cost up to $1000, depending on your health insurance.

Yes, you can! While you will need a prescription to purchase birth control pills, Sesame makes it easier than ever to get in touch with a reproductive health care provider in Martinez, CA. With affordable telehealth options, such as video birth control consultations, you can get in touch with a real, quality online doctor who can prescribe birth control for new patients. Need a prescription refill? Doctors on Sesame can refill your prescription during a quick video birth control consult without you ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

All prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.

Sesame offers convenient and affordable telehealth birth control consultations for upfront, cash-pay prices. If you're having a hard time fitting a prescription refill visit into your busy schedule, or if you're not sure which doctor your health insurance will let you see, don't stress. Sesame makes it easy to get in touch with a real, quality doctor at prices up to 60% less than what you'll find through most insurance plans. Skip the copays and wait times and talk to a doctor right away for a new-patient birth control prescription or prescription refill.

Not sure what forms of birth control are right for you? Doctors on Sesame can talk to you about birth control options and answer any questions you may have. Birth control prescriptions can be sent to your local pharmacy for pick-up at your convenience. Don't sit around in a crowded clinic, book a convenient video birth control consultation with a primary care or women's health provider through Sesame and get quality care right away - no insurance needed.

All prescriptions are always at the discretion of your doctor.

Connect with a real, quality doctor on Sesame to learn more about which kind of birth control may be right for you. Sesame works directly with doctors - not insurance companies - to get you the medical care and advice you need for affordable, upfront prices.

Birth control pills and condoms are both common forms of contraception: meaning that they can help prevent unplanned pregnancies. Condoms catch sperm ejaculated during sex, while oral contraceptives (birth control pills) use hormones such as progestin and estrogen to prevent ovulation. If no egg is present for sperm to fertilize, pregnancy cannot occur. Other common birth control methods include:

• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)

• Vaginal rings (like NuvaRing)

• Birth control shots (with the hormone progestin)

While condoms protect against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), birth control does not offer protection from STIs.

Birth control pills must be prescribed before they can be purchased. Condoms can be purchased at most convenience stores.

Hormonal birth control pills do have a number of side effects/ benefits in addition to their contraceptive uses. Because these oral contraceptives release hormones into the body, they can help women protect themselves against conditions such as:

• Acne

• Irregular periods

• Bone thinning

• Cervical/ ovarian cancer

• Anemia (iron deficiency)

Questions about different types of birth control? Book an online or in-person visit with a health care provider on Sesame to ask any questions you may have or get a new prescription for birth control. Doctors on Sesame will consider your medical history and help determine what form of contraception is best for you. If you need a prescription refill, doctors on Sesame can send an order to your local pharmacy without the hassle of driving to a doctor's office.

Hormonal birth control pills work by changing hormone levels in a woman's body to prevent ovulation and ease menstrual symptoms. Pills containing both estrogen and progestin can help reduce acne by decreasing hormones (androgen) that lead to the production of sebum (an acne-causing oil released by pores). Progestin-only oral contraceptives, such as Camila, will not help reduce acne.

The combination pills currently approved by the FDA to help treat acne are:

• Yaz
  
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
  
• Beyaz
  
• Estrostep
  
  

Yep! With convenient and affordable in-person and video birth control consultations, Sesame makes it easier than ever to speak to a doctor about birth control options from the comfort of your home. Get in touch with a primary care or women's health care provider on Sesame to discuss your medical history and lifestyle factors that will help determine what type of birth control is right for you. Doctors on Sesame can write prescriptions for new patients, or refill birth control prescriptions for those with existing prescriptions.

Save up to 60% on family planning services in Martinez, CA when you book through Sesame and get quality care at your convenience- no insurance needed.

Depending on the state you live in, you may be able to get a prescription for birth control directly from a pharmacist. Call your local pharmacy to check if your state allows for access to birth control without a prescription from a health care provider.

If you do live in a state that allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control, you will be screened via a questionnaire and be asked to take a blood pressure test to make sure that you do not have any health conditions that might make taking birth control dangerous. High blood pressure, medical history of cancer, or poor cardiovascular health are all risk factors that make birth control potentially dangerous.