There are a few ways to get a birth control refill. You can schedule an in-person visit with your regular doctor or OB-GYN, visit a local clinic or Planned Parenthood, or — for the fastest and most convenient option — book a telehealth visit through a platform like Sesame.

With Sesame, you can meet with a provider online within hours to discuss your refill needs. If prescribed, your birth control refill will then be sent to your preferred pharmacy for pickup or delivered to your door. It's a good option if you're looking to refill an existing prescription without the wait of an in-person appointment.

Birth control pills generally fall into two categories: combination pills (which contain both estrogen and progestin) and progestin-only pills (sometimes called the "mini pill"). Within each category, there are many brand-name and generic options. Here are some of the most commonly prescribed:

Combination pills (estrogen + progestin):

• Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Sprintec, Tri-Sprintec)
• Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (Loestrin, Junel, Microgestin)
• Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz)
• Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Amythyst, Aviane, Alesse, Lutera, Lessina)
• Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Apri, Ortho-Cept, Reclipsen)
• Ethynodiol diacetate and ethinyl estradiol (Kelnor, Zovia)

Progestin-only pills ("mini pill"):

• Norethindrone (Camila, Errin, Heather, Nora-BE)
• Drospirenone (Slynd)
• Norgestrel (Opill)

The right pill for you depends on factors like your medical history, lifestyle, and how your body responds to different hormones. Your Sesame provider can help you find the birth control option that's the best fit and switch you to a different one if 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, depending on your insurance status. Generic birth control pills are also usually cheaper than brand-name alternatives.
• Intrauterine device (IUD): IUDs must be inserted by a doctor, and can cost between $0-$1,300 depending on if you’re insured or not. 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 must be given every 3 months and can cost between $0-$150 per shot.
• Vaginal rings: 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.

If you’re not sure which birth control option is right for you, talk to a provider on Sesame to discuss options and costs.

Yes, certain types of birth control pills are now available over the counter without a prescription. Specifically, Opill, a progestin-only daily birth control pill, can be purchased directly off the shelf at drugstores, grocery stores, and online.

Emergency contraception pills (such as Plan B One-Step and its generics) are also available over the counter. However, traditional combination birth control pills (which contain both estrogen and progestin) still require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

If you are looking for non-pill birth control options without a prescription, barrier methods like condoms (male and female) and spermicides are also widely available over the counter at most pharmacies.

Birth control pills and condoms are both common forms of contraception, meaning that they can help prevent unplanned pregnancies. However, there are some key differences in how these birth control methods work and how to access them:

Condoms are sold over the counter and work by functioning as a barrier that catches sperm during sex. They can also protect against many sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Birth control pills use hormones to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. While traditional combination pills require a prescription from a healthcare provider, certain progestin-only daily pills (like Opill) and emergency contraception are now available over the counter without a prescription.

Additionally, in many states, pharmacists can prescribe birth control directly without a doctor's visit. Birth control pills are not effective at preventing STIs.