The Price of the Pill — Do You Split Birth Control Costs?

January 16, 2010

A friend of mine has a very equitable relationship — at least on one front. She and her boyfriend split the cost of her birth control pill, which is pretty expensive ($70 per month) because her prescription doesn't come in generic.

Since it takes two to make a baby, it makes sense that two people contribute to not making one. But just because it's logical doesn't mean every couple does it. Some women might be used to paying for their pill, get a relatively cheap generic version, or feel more comfortable taking total control of their reproductive independence. Have you ever split the pill bill with a partner?

65 Comments

3 years 17 weeks

I live in Australia, and we have a really good healthcare system. I had an Implanon implant inserted and removed for free at a bulk billing clinic. When I decided it wasn't for me, I had it removed and went onto the contraceptive pill. I pay $AU18 (about $US22) for a three month supply. My partner and I don't necessarily 'split' the cost, just whoever picks it up from the pharmacy pays. Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's him. $200 for three months seems really excessive and is certainly not doing anything to assist low-income earners take control of their fertility,

Lyv 3 years 17 weeks

What the what ? My BC pills cost like 10 dollars...

3 years 17 weeks

I used to pay the co pay for it ($5), but my company just changed its copay policy and if we get a drug we make we get it for free! (i work for pharmaceutical company)

3 years 17 weeks

Very nice site!

betty kraker 3 years 17 weeks

i always payed for it

betty kraker 3 years 17 weeks

i always payed for it

xxstardust 3 years 17 weeks

I'd never ask, if only because I was on birth control long before I started having sex. I have Von Willebrand's disease - a disorder in the same category of diseases as hemophilia - so without hormonal BC, I literally bleed for weeks on end. It's a medical necessity, although I now also enjoy the benefits of not getting pregnant, too! We also used condoms to be safe, but as we're still in college they're free at heath services. If we run out in the summer one of us will grab a big box at BJs or Costo ... 10 bucks for a 40 pack? Sweet! A few people mentioned there being a generic for Seasonique - seriously?! Can anyone tell me what it's called, and if it's the same hormones as Seasonique? I pay $45/pack (so $15/month) now for Seasonique, but generics are free on my insurance so it'd be nice to try a generic! I didn't think there was a generic yet, and I love Seasonique like no one's business.

xxstardust 3 years 17 weeks

Keke84 3 years 17 weeks

I personally don't use birth control pills. I have tried several varieties since I was sixteen (for PMDD) and every one has only made things worse (violent mood swings, suicidal thoughts, irregular periods, etc.). As such, my BF and I rely on condoms for birth control. We have agreed to switch up who buys the pack. I'll buy it once, then he'll buy it and so on. This way we are both contributing to birth control methods within the relationship.

3 years 17 weeks

Coming from a guys perspective I don't see this as fair. There are other benefits for the woman other than not getting pregnant that the man doesnt share in (e.g. Helps clear acne, avoids irregular cycles and generally makes life easier for the girl). If any women out there think this is fair, how about getting off birth control and splitting the cost of condoms. Is that fair?

3 years 17 weeks

I actually never even thouught about splitting it.. but now that it's brought up!.. I'm not currently on birth control simply because I can not afford it I also as others have mentioned was taking a generic version of seasonale which is $150 a refill so $50 a month.. which I don't have at the moment... I have tried the less expensive like the generic ortho tryciclene which made me sick, go out of my mind, and have longer heavier periods even though i WASNT taking the sugar pill but starting a new pack at that point. Unfortunately the uber expensive pill is the only one that agrees with me and keeps the ovarian cysts in check.

Liss 3 years 17 weeks

I pay for it, it's only $10/month but if i didn't have the money my husband would be happy to pay for it.

Allytta 3 years 17 weeks

it's free in UK. but i'd sure love for him to go pick it up for me. but i always stop to fill my prescription on my way from the doctor's. i will ask him to go with me next time i need a refill :) but when it came to condoms i expected him to provide.

3 years 17 weeks

I buy the pill, he buys the condoms. Fair trade.

3 years 17 weeks

gigly- i've never had to pay at all for the pill.. OHIP plus my employer's insurance cover it.

Yogaforlife 3 years 17 weeks

Before my hubby, I always paid for it. While in college, it was free (I was on the college's health plan). But I pay $40 now (which is funny because my BC is only $48 a month so that means my health insurance is only covering $8 of the price).

skigurl 3 years 17 weeks

i've been taking it since i was younger to control my periods and my skin, as well as a birth control method...i pay for it (my insurance covers most...i probably pay around 8$ or 9$ a month, but my boyfriend covers tons of other costs, so it's not like i feel like he should split it or anything

SusanTeufel 3 years 17 weeks

I take Yaz right now, and without insurance, it is 70 dollars...but my doc gave me a coupon so it is 20/mo

SusanTeufel 3 years 17 weeks

I have severe periods and PMDD really badly, along with other problems...so I always paid for my birth control, that is until I got married, then it changed.

bsglrok132 3 years 17 weeks

I pay $25/month for a generic one. It's not a big cost, so even if we weren't married and didn't share money I wouldn't ask him to pay.

3 years 17 weeks

I pay for BC, he pays for condoms. Mine costs way , but I make more, so it's only fair. I wouldn't have sex with a man who wouldn't split the cost of contraceptives! Maybe I'm just new-fangled, but I like joint expenses to be split (or split based off of income).

merie33 3 years 17 weeks

We do split the cost, but only because that is the ONLY reason I'm taking it. I don't take it for any other reason, as my periods were never unbearable at all. Although since right now we're in a semi-long distance relationship and sometimes don't see each other for a month at a time, he doesn't pay on those months. It's really not bad though, it's only $20 a month, just some weeks on my budget that extra $10 really helps. I can't believe how expensive some of your pills are!

merie33 3 years 17 weeks

danakscully64 3 years 17 weeks

le romantique - My doctor prescribed me Seasonique and my insurance wasn't going to cover it (same price, $200 for 1 pack).... so instead, my doctor gave me 3 FREE sample packs. I ended up giving one to my sister, that pill didn't work with my body.When I was on The Pill, I paid for it, but it was always $5 because of my parents insurance. I'm not covered anymore and stopped taking the pill in 2008 because of the bad side effects. When I first started dating my guy, we split the cost of condoms. Right now we're just using up the value pack I bought a while back. He offered to pay for my prescription a few times, but I refused ($5 is nothing). My guy would absolutely pay for BC in a heartbeat.

danakscully64 3 years 17 weeks

le romantique - My doctor prescribed me Seasonique and my insurance wasn't going to cover it (same price, $200 for 1 pack).... so instead, my doctor gave me 3 FREE sample packs. I ended up giving one to my sister, that pill didn't work with my body. When I was on The Pill, I paid for it, but it was always $5 because of my parents insurance. I'm not covered anymore and stopped taking the pill in 2008 because of the bad side effects. When I first started dating my guy, we split the cost of condoms. Right now we're just using up the value pack I bought a while back. He offered to pay for my prescription a few times, but I refused ($5 is nothing). My guy would absolutely pay for BC in a heartbeat.

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