How to manage your sexual and reproductive health when you can’t leave your home
April 16, 2020
By The Ovee Team
From medical providers prioritizing treating COVID-19, to people losing their employer health insurance, to being physically unable to go outside, we’re all flailing to figure out how to take care of ourselves (and others!) during these strange and uncertain times. To help guide you through it all, we compiled a list of digital and delivery resources that will help you manage your sexual and reproductive health while in quarantine.
If you NEED BIRTH CONTROL
Twentyeight Health
How it works
You’ll be asked to fill out a short online questionnaire (even if you have an existing prescription), which their medical professionals will review and then write you a new prescription or update an existing one. After the prescription is written, you can expect your birth control to be delivered in 1-3 days.
What it costs
If you have insurance: Many providers will cover the cost of your copay, so check with them to see which brands they cover.
If you don’t: Twentyeight Health offers some brands for as low as $15/month, and even offer discounts if you buy multiple packs at a time.
Twentyeight Health requires an initial evaluation by a doctor that typically costs $20. Given the circumstances brought on by COVID-19, Twentyeight Health is offering free doctor consultations with code GIVE28 to ensure that as many people can get the birth control they need.
Where you can get it
Twentyeight Health only currently available in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, but they’re expanding to other states soon.
BONUS: Twentyeight Health donates 2 percent of their revenue to the National Institute for Reproductive Health and Bedsider.
THE pill club
How it works
If you have an existing prescription, you’ll have to create an account and send The Pill Club your current pharmacy’s address. If you need a prescription, you’ll have to fill out a questionnaire about your health history. The Pill Club will coordinate everything through text and delivery typically takes between 3-5 business days.
What it costs
Insurance will cover most brands of birth control and The Pill Club consultation fee, however, If you are uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover it, the consultation fee is $15 and pills can be as low as $15/month.
Where you can get it
The Pill Club ships to all 50 states and can give online prescriptions in 38 states! See their site for the full list.
BONUS: The Pill Club sends your items in discreet packaging, so no one will be all up in your business. In addition to affordable birth control, they also send you sample products and sweet treats, because who doesn’t love a little gift while they’re preventing pregnancy?
If you HAVE A UTI
planned parenthood direct
How it works
Planned Parenthood Direct allows you to bypass physically going to a doctor’s office (which is usually the case to get any medication) and lets you receive an consultation online. You can then request UTI medication that can be picked up at your local pharmacy.
How much it costs
Again, this all depends on your insurance provider. Depending on your plan, the cost of treatment could be $4 to $60. Their website has a handy interactive map that tells you the costs specific to each state.
Where you can get it
PP direct is available in the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MN, MT, NE, NJ, NY, ND, OH, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA.
BONUS: Planned Parenthood also provides birth control prescriptions, so if you’re in a state that isn’t serviced by Twentyeight Health or The Pill Club, try this instead.
uqora
How it works
If you know you’re prone to UTIs, it may be worth investing in some preventative measures to ensure you don’t have to run to the pharmacy for UTI medication. Uqora has probiotic pills and drink mixes you can take on a regular basis to prevent UTIs.
Uqora has multiple lines of products for people who are sexually active, need urinary tract support or maintaining microbiomel balance.
What it costs
Individually, products are $25, but if you bundles run $40-52, saving you some extra cash!
BONUS: FREE shipping, which honestly, should be the law of the land.
If you HAVE A YEAST INFECTION
yourblissful
How it works
Yeast infections suck, and the Monistat eggs aren’t for everyone. When you can’t get to the doctor for an antifungal prescription, Your Blissful’s boric acid suppositories are a great, scientifically-backed natural alternative. Place a capsule in your vagina before bed and repeat until symptom subside.
What it costs
A bottle of boric acid supppositories cost $15. With 20 capsules per bottle and relief after a few nights of use, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
BONUS: Users also experience relief in vaginal dryness, irritation and odor!
If you need sti testing
FIG
How it works
Fig provides convenient and judgment-free at-home testing kits for the 5 STIs that are recommended for routine screening. They send you a kit, you mail back a sample, and they screen your sample for any STIs. You’ll receive your results in 3-5 days, the same amount of time it takes at the doctor’s office — except you don’t have to leave your home!
What it costs
$159 for The Full Kit, which tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, & HIV), or $99 for The Common Two, which tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, the most common STIs.
Where you can get it
CA, FL, IL, MI, MN, MO, OH, PA, SC, TN, and TX
BONUS: Shipping is free. Fig accepts HSA/FSA cards (health spending account or flexible spending account), and offers flexible payment plans, since they don’t accept insurance to make the cost of testing as transparent as possible.
If you need all of the above...
lemonaid health
How it works
Lemonaid is an online doctor’s office and medicine delivery service. You fill out a questionnaire about your health history, which a medical team reviews, and then they get you the help you need (which includes medicine delivery!). In addition to STI testing and birth control prescriptions, they also offer services for mental health, the flu, migraines and more.
What it costs
The majority of consultations are $25/session, which is cheaper than most copays. While most insurances won’t cover delivery costs, they will cover the medication you are prescribed.
Maven Clinic
How it works
Maven is an online clinic that specializes in women’s health and has an incredible network of providers (over 1,700!) who can answer specific questions and even write you a prescription. In addition to sexual and reproductive health care, Maven also has nutritionists and mental health care specialists.
What it costs
The costs vary from provider to provider, but the average cost for a 10-minute appointment with a nurse practitioner is $18 and $35 with a physician.
BONUS: Maven Clinic can provide care in over 30 languages, so you don’t have to worry about communication issues if English is not your first language.
👇 Check thesE out👇
