The Birth Control Pill: What it is and How to Get a Secret Prescription
How the birth control pill works + getting a prescription without parental permission
WHAT IS IT?
Much like the morning-after pill, birth control pills (commonly called “the pill” or just “birth control”) are a medication taken daily that uses hormones to stop your body from ovulating (which is the process of the uterus releasing an egg to be fertilized by sperm). When taken correctly, birth control pills have an efficacy rate of 99%, meaning that only 1 couple on the pill out of a hundred will become pregnant within a year. Over 9 million people aged 15 to 49 are on the pill, making it an extremely popular form of contraception in the United States.
SHOULD I GET ON IT?
As a form of contraception, birth control pills have a lot of upsides. Due to the passage of the Affordable Care Act (known as Obamacare), the pill is free for almost everyone with insurance, and unlike condoms, birth control doesn’t require any action every individual time you have sex—you’re protected every time you have sex, whether that’s daily or yearly, and there’s nothing to put on every time. In addition, unlike condoms, taking the pill is entirely your responsibility, meaning it’s a great option for people who don’t want to rely on their partners. Also, due to its hormonal nature, the pill can be a great way to take control of your body’s hormonal system, which is why it’s often prescribed to deal with hormonal acne or heavy, painful periods. Unlike condoms, the pill can help you deal with some of the annoying side effects of having a uterus. And, most convincingly, the pill is very effective when taken correctly, which is why so many people use it.
Of course, like every contraceptive, there are downsides to the pill. It’s not an over-the-counter medication, meaning you’ll need a prescription to get it. While there are usually easy, discreet places to get these prescriptions, it’s still a barrier to access, and you have to return to a pharmacy that knows your prescription every month or so to get refills. In addition, the hormones contained in the pill can sometimes cause side effects, such as nausea and mood fluctuations, and those same hormones can (rarely) have serious health consequences. And, most concerningly in places like the South, the pill requires a decent amount of responsibility to take correctly. When taken “typically,” their efficacy drops down to 91%. Unlike condoms, the pill is decently possible to screw up.
Like with any contraceptive, there are things to consider before getting on the pill, and just because all your friends are on it doesn’t mean you should be too. However, if you are prescribed it by a doctor and think you can manage to take it properly, the pill is a usually free, almost guaranteed form of birth control, and for that reason it is the form of birth control I recommend the most for people in the South.
HOW DO I GET ON THE PILL?
Unfortunately, in terms of access, getting the pill can occasionally be difficult. As mentioned, it requires a prescription, which means you’ll have to see a doctor. In some states, a pharmacist can directly prescribe, but almost no southern state allows that.
In good news, “needing a prescription” does not mean “needing your mom to sit in the doctor’s office with you and give her permission to get the pill.” Truly, almost every doctor can prescribe the pill, and none of them are legally allowed to tell your parents once you turn 18. If you’re under 18, the rules get slightly more specific.
GETTING A BIRTH CONTROL PRESCRIPTION AS A MINOR
You have a few choices as a minor seeking birth control; as always, your best option will depend on your individual circumstances. The most important thing to consider is that every state has different rules on necessary parental permission to get a birth control prescription. Use THIS SITE to see your state’s rules on under-18s getting birth control prescriptions from “normal” doctors; some states (like Alabama) merely require you to be above 14 to get a BC prescription without a parent, whereas some states (like Texas) only prescribe BC to married minors, which forces most minors to go to specific clinics.
Your state’s rules will decide your personal best way to get a birth control prescription. In general, you have three options; you can see your normal doctor with a parent, see your normal doctor without a parent, or see a Title X clinic doctor without a parent. All three have pros and cons.
1) Seeing Your Normal Doctor with a Parent (legal in every state)
a. If you can think of any way to do so, I advise you see your normal doctor with your parent to get a birth control prescription. This option makes paying for the pill (more info down below) and transportation easy, since you can use your parents for insurance and a ride. In addition, your parent is with you to pay any co-pay needed for the visit. Obviously, the ideal scenario is telling your parent that you’re ready to start having sex, and thus would like to get on the pill. However, if that’s not an option, you’re still in luck; the pill is prescribed to deal with quite a few conditions that have nothing to do with sex. Often, doctors will prescribe the pill as the first option for dealing with heavy periods, painful cramps, or even an irregular cycle. None of these things can really be verified, and many parents will happily listen to a doctor if they recommend birth control. If you’re okay with a white lie, start mentioning to your mom how bad your cramps are or how your cycle is coming at really weird times; at your next checkup, tell your doctor, and it’s likely they’ll go ahead and prescribe.
2) Seeing Your Normal Doctor Without a Parent (legal in some states)
a. During COVID times, this is the easiest option for a lot of people, since a lot of doctor’s offices don’t currently allow patients to have guests. So, your parent could drive you to an appointment and then you could meet privately with your doctor and ask for the pill. However, you could also secretly book an appointment, then call the office and say you want to book an appointment to get a prescription for birth control. If you have access to transportation and the money needed for the co-pay (in cash if you don’t want to be tracked), this option is great. When you’re alone with the doctor, you don’t have to bother lying—just tell them you want the pill. If you’re scared of your parents finding out, you can ask your doctor to send the prescription to a different pharmacy than the one your family usually uses. Using your normal doctor makes things easy because they most probably are already aware of your family’s health insurance; since almost every form of the pill is free under insurance, you can drive to the pharmacy after your appointment and pick it up every month with no one noticing. For more information on taking the pill on a parent’s insurance, read The Birth Control Pill: Paying for it
3) Seeing a Title X Clinic Doctor Without Your Parents (legal in every state)
a. If you live in a state (like Texas) where minors can’t get BC prescriptions without parental consent, you still have options. Title X clinics are specific clinics in every state that provide family planning services, including pregnancy tests, STD treatment, and many forms of birth control. Every Title X clinic guarantees confidentiality and care regardless of age or ability to pay, and Title X rules, without exception, override state laws. That means that even if you live in a state that requires parental permission to get a birth control prescription, a Title X clinic will ignore that law and prescribe you birth control. You can go to a Title X clinic for almost every needed reproductive health service (except for abortions), and they will respect your confidentiality. And, if you choose to not use parental insurance to pay, they will use “sliding scale pricing” and price you based on your individual income as a minor. This is not a guarantee that services will be free, but it is a guarantee that you can get a prescription for birth control without your parents ever finding out at a reasonably affordable price. Use this link to find the Title X clinic nearest to you.
Unfortunately, you will need to organize transportation to the clinic; this may be difficult, since people who live in rural areas may need to travel a fair distance. Also, you should prepare to pay in cash, as cash can’t be tracked by your parents. It can be scary to visit a new clinic alone for the first time, but remember that Title X employees are trained to be supportive, non-judgmental, and respectful of your privacy. If you live in a state with ultra-restrictive reproductive health laws, a Title X clinic can be your best choice for getting safe, discreet, affordable care.