Buying Over-The-Counter Contraceptives

Over-the-counter birth control methods are contraceptive options that can be bought without a doctor's prescription. Most over-the-counter contraception is considered to be barrier methods, meaning that these OTC birth control options work by blocking sperm from fertilizing an egg. Over-the-counter birth control methods are reliable, effective, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How to Get Over-The-Counter Birth Control

Most national chain stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies sell OTC birth control, though the options they each offer may vary. So if you want to buy over-the-counter birth control, you'll need a way to get to the store and money to pay. If you're too embarrassed to check out your local family planning aisle, or if you can't get to a store, you can also buy OTC birth control online.

There are no age requirements, so anybody can buy over-the-counter birth control.

Buying OTC Birth Control Online

In general, prices for over-the-counter birth control methods can vary from store to store, but usually, they only differ by a couple of dollars. The costs of OTC birth control online are typically lower than in-store prices.

When you're looking for birth control online, remember that some methods are only sold in the stores while other methods may only be sold online. Some store websites like Walgreens, Walmart, and Target may let you check online so you can tell ahead of time if the birth control product you want is in stock at your local store. You may also be able to pay for the product online and then pick it up at the store.

When Your Store Doesn't Have the Product You Want

Keep in mind that over-the-counter birth control product selection will differ from store to store. If the store doesn't have what you're looking for, you can check the store's website or another store's website. This could also be the opportunity to try a new OTC birth control product or brand. With so many options and varieties, it may be fun to be a little adventurous.

Over-The-Counter Birth Control vs. Prescription Birth Control

Hormonal contraception, whether obtained by prescription or OTC, tends to be more effective than nonhormonal OTC birth control. That said, nonhormonal OTC contraception ranges from 72 percent to 98 percent effective. Effectiveness can be increased by using hormonal pills, using the method correctly, or if you combine over-the-counter birth control methods. For example:

  • Use spermicide with an internal condom (also known as a condom placed into the vagina or anus)
  • Use the sponge with an external condom (also known as a condom placed on a penis)

Just DO NOT use an internal condom and an external condom at the same time.

To be extra safe, buy emergency contraception ahead of time, just in case birth control failure happens or you forget to use birth control.

Available Over-The-Counter Birth Control Methods

Here are your options for over-the-counter birth control:

External Condoms

Condoms
Image Source / Getty Images

These condoms cover the penis during sex. They collect semen before, during, and after ejaculation so they prevent sperm from entering the vagina. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane (plastic), natural membrane (lambskin), or polyisoprene (non-latex natural rubber). There are many types of condoms such as dry or lubricated, colored, flavored, and different shapes. Condoms are also one of the few birth control methods that can help protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Internal Condoms

Close-Up Of Cropped Couple Holding Condom Against White Background
Supreeya Chantalao / EyeEm / Getty Images

Internal condoms are made from polyurethane. These plastic pouches have flexible rings at each end. The internal condom collects semen and prevents sperm from entering your body. You may want to try using internal condoms if you or your partner are allergic to latex.

It may take some practice when it comes to using internal condoms. You insert the ring at the closed end of the internal condom deep into your vagina (like a diaphragm). The ring at the open end should hang about an inch outside the vagina. The internal condom can also be helpful in protecting against many sexually transmitted infections. Internal condoms can also be used in the anus if the inner ring is removed.

They're also a great over-the-counter birth control option to use while having sex in the water.

Spermicide

Close-Up Of Cropped Couple Holding Condom Against White Background
Supreeya Chantalao / EyeEm / Getty Images

Spermicide is an over-the-counter birth control method that comes in different forms like foams, film, creams, suppositories, and jellies. Spermicide should be placed deep into the vagina right before sex. It will then melt (except for contraceptive foam, which forms bubbles) to form a barrier against sperm. These OTC contraceptives contain a chemical spermicide (usually nonoxynol-9) that will immobilize and kill sperm. When used by itself, spermicide is not as effective as other over-the-counter birth control methods. It also does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.

The Sponge

Today Sponge
Photo © Dawn Stacey

The sponge is a soft, round, barrier device that's about two inches in diameter. It's made of solid polyurethane foam, contains spermicide, and has a nylon loop attached to the bottom for removal. The sponge must first be moistened with water. Then, you insert the sponge into your vagina before having sex. It covers the cervix (opening to the uterus) so it blocks sperm from entering.

The sponge also releases a spermicide that can kill sperm. You must keep the sponge in place for at least 6 hours after you have had sex.

The sponge was taken off the market in 1995 but is now available again as an over-the-counter birth control option.

The Morning-After Pill

Woman taking contraceptive pill
IAN HOOTON/SPL / Getty Images

The morning-after pill consists of one pill and was approved by the FDA specifically for emergency contraception. It contains the progestin levonorgestrel and should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) after condomless sex or birth control failure—the sooner you take it, the better. The morning-after pill is NOT the same thing as the abortion pill, and it will NOT harm an existing pregnancy.

The judge in the court case Tummino vs.Hamburg ruled that the morning-after pill can now be sold over-the-counter without any age requirements. However, not all morning-after pill brands can be bought OTC. For example, you need a prescription to buy Ella, a newer type of morning-after pill that consists of one ulipristal acetate (30 mg) pill. Also, Next Choice (the generic 2 pill form of the old Plan B) can only be sold OTC if you are 17 years old or older—you need a prescription to buy Next Choice if you are under 17.

Morning-after pill brands available over-the-counter:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What forms of birth control are sold over-the-counter?

    There are several non-prescription birth control options available, such as hormonal pills, external and internal condoms, spermicide, and the contraceptive sponge.

  • Is the morning after pill sold over the counter?

    Yes. The morning-after pill is emergency contraception that is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control failure. It is available without a prescription but is typically kept behind the pharmacy counter. 

  • Are contraceptive sponges still sold?

    Yes. The Today Sponge was off the market for about 10 years but is currently available. The sponge was discontinued in the mid-1990s due to production issues. Its lack of availability inspired a Seinfeld episode where Elaine coined the term "sponge-worthy." The contraceptive sponge returned to the market in 2005.


3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Wagenlehner FM, Brockmeyer NH, Discher T, Friese K, Wichelhaus TA. The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted InfectionsDtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(1-02):11–22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0011

  2. Burke AE, Barnhart K, Jensen JT, et al. Contraceptive efficacy, acceptability, and safety of C31G and nonoxynol-9 spermicidal gels: a randomized controlled trialObstet Gynecol. 2010;116(6):1265–1273. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fc3b1a

  3. Regidor PA. The clinical relevance of progestogens in hormonal contraception: Present status and future developmentsOncotarget. 2018;9(77):34628–34638. Published 2018 Oct 2. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26015

Dawn Stacey

By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC
Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.