plannedparenthood:

Someone asked us:

I want to go on BC when quarantine ends and I know I need a prescription for that but how? Do I have to call/email to schedule an appointment or do I just show up? How do I choose an OBGYN? Is it safe to go to the doctor now? How long do I have to be on BC in order for it to work? 

Getting started on birth control is easy. Typically, here’s how it goes. (Keep in mind, things are NOT typical right now. More on that further down.) 

1. Make an appointment at a health center that provides birth control — like a Planned Parenthood health center, a gynecologist’s office, or even your regular doctor. If you’re a college student, your student health services on campus may offer birth control, too. Some Planned Parenthood health centers offer walk-in appointments for birth control. Find out about your nearest Planned Parenthood health center.
2. A doctor or nurse will talk with you about your options. They may ask you about your health history and check your weight and blood pressure to figure out which types of birth control are best for you and your body. 
3. You might walk out of there with a prescription for a birth control method like the pill, ring, or patch. Or, if you decide to get an IUD, implant, or the shot, your doctor or nurse will either give you your method then and there, or make an appointment with you to come back soon for it. 

How long you need to take birth control before it starts working depends on what kind you take and what part of your menstrual cycle you’re in when you start it. The pill, the hormonal IUD, the ring, the shot, the patch, and the implant can take up to a week before they start preventing pregnancy. The Paragard IUD works as soon as you get it inserted. Your doctor or nurse will run through all of that with you at your appointment. 

Not sure what method you’re into? Check out this tool to help make your birth control decision easier. 

If you don’t want to wait until social distancing is over, some Planned Parenthood health centers are doing virtual visits. That means you can talk with a doctor or nurse about birth control over video chat or on the phone. They may be able to prescribe some methods like the pill, ring, or patch virtually and get it delivered to your door. 

If it’s an IUD or implant that you want, visiting a health center is your only option. Some Planned Parenthood health centers have had to close for the time being. Still, many others are open and offering appointments for birth control. Those health centers that are open may have special instructions for keeping you and the health center staff safe from COVID-19, like requiring masks or limiting the number of appointments per day. 

Ultimately, when it comes to deciding when to start birth control, what kind is right for you, and whether you feel safe visiting a health center, it’s up to you. 

-Emily at Planned Parenthood