Protecting The Right To Choose

Birth Controls: Options, Costs, and Success Rates

El Schader, Creative Editor
May 20, 2023

Every form of birth control comes at a cost and a different level of accessibility. It is also important to acknowledge that the predicted costs without insurance do not include the cost of the doctor’s time.

The Implant: This is a thin rod that contains progestin that is released into the body over 3 years.

failure rate: 0.1%,
cost without insurance: $982–$1,500
- removal: up to $300

The pill: A pill that is taken at the same time every day and contains the hormones estrogen and progestin.

Failure rate: 7%
cost without insurance: prices for the 50 most popular pill brands ranged from $22 a month for Sprintec to $303 a month for Tri-Lo-Mili.

Patches: Patches adhere to the skin and release hormones into the body to help prevent pregnancy. You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks,

Failure rate: 7%
cost without insurance: $30/month
- often people will get a year’s supply to save on doctors visits

The shot: a progestin injection that prevents ovulation and is administered every three months.

Failure rate: 4%
cost without insurance:
- First shot: $50 to $200 (for the initial prescription and first shot)
- follow-up shots: $20 to $40.

IUD: T-shaped device that comes in hormonal and non-hormonal varieties. Hormonal IUDs work by releasing the hormone progestin into the body.

Failure rate: 0.1 – 0.8
- (depending on brand and hormonal v non-hormonal)
cost without insurance: $500 to $1,300 (IUD + Insertion + removal)
- clinics like Planned Parenthood offer programs to help those without insurance or whose insurance is ACA-exempt.

Non-hormonal birth controls

Female condoms: Failure rate: 21%

Male condoms: Failure rate: 3% (or up to 13% if used incorrectly or inconsistently)

Spermicides: Failure rate: 21%

Fertility awareness-based methods: Keeping track of hormonal cycles, ovulation, etc.

Failure rate: 2% – 21%
- Varies based on the method of keeping track

Vasectomy: It’s done by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm.

Cost without insurance: $1000
Failure rate: 0.5

Tube ligation: An operation to tie the fallopian tubes closed.

Cost without insurance: $1,500 to $6,000.
Failure rate: 0.15

Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus, and sometimes surrounding organs and tissues.

Cost:
- $25,535 for a vaginal approach
- $42,816 for a robotic approach

Another thing to keep in mind is access

The bottom line is health insurance will cover some forms of birth control, but the people without insurance are not thought much about. For people who need to out of pocket it is important to think about how long it last.