Lesson 4: So Many Choices, So Many Myths - Making An Informed Choice
Financing Your Choice

Sometimes the cost of the method of birth control can be a contributing factor in deciding which method would work best. This should not be the case as most insurance companies now cover prescribed birth control methods. If you do not have health insurance, or if your insurance does not cover prescribed birth control, a visit to your local woman's health clinic can be the answer you are looking for to finance your choice.

Health clinics (and Planned Parenthood) use a sliding scale to figure out the fees and costs that each person would have to pay. Since the cost is based on your income, it is a very affordable way to get the birth control that you need to protect yourself from an unplanned pregnancy.

Below is a listing of the average cost of different methods of birth control that have been discussed in this course. These methods may cost more or less depending on where you live and how much your doctor charges for an office visit.

Pills - $240 to $600 per year plus the cost of the doctor visit.

Condoms - $.50 to over $1.00 each, cost of yearly supply (figuring 3 times a week) $78 to $156.

Female Condoms - $1.00 to $2.00 each, yearly cost between $156 and $312.

Depo-Provera - $120 to $300 per year plus the cost of doctor visits (between $110 and $320).

IUD – Total cost of the IUD and insertion is usually between $175 and $400 for the life of the IUD (between 5 and 10 years).

Diaphragms and cervical caps – The devices costs between $15 and $60 and are usually good for one year. Added to that is the cost of spermicidal jellies used with the devices which range from $8 to $19 each, plus the cost of the doctor visit to be fitted for the devices.

Today Sponge - $9.00 to $30.00 per box depending on the number of sponges in each box. Do your research and shop around to get the best price.

Birth Control Patch - $360 to $420 yearly plus the cost of the exam.

Vaginal Ring - $360 to $420 yearly plus the cost of the exam.

Male Surgical Sterilization - $500 to as much as $1,500 depending on doctor/hospital, and anesthesiology fees.

Female Surgical Sterilization - $2,500 to as much as $4,500 depending on doctor, hospital and anesthesiology fees.

Essure (Non-surgical sterilization) – $1,000 and $3,000 depending on doctor/hospital, anesthesiology, and follow up fees.

Natural Family Planning - $10 to $50 depending on cost of instruction, thermometer, and copying blank charts.

Fertility Awareness Method - $10 to $170 depending on cost of instruction, thermometer, copying blank charts, and barrier method used.