[Birdie_567]

How are we all handling birth control now these days? I got the Nexaplanon 5 years ago and its time for a renewal. When I got it there was a huge buzz around Planned Parenthood and so many PP haters defended it by saying that low cost clinics are the best alternative. So I called around to every single clinic in my area and inquired about a Mirena IUD removal and getting the Nexaplanon. The lowest quote I found was $1,250... Absurd. The 3 minute removal alone was like $500.

So I went back to my regular PP clinic and guess how much it cost me *drum roll* NEGATIVE $200. Thats right. They asked if I wanted to participate in a study where every few months they'd send me a survey and pay me $50 regardless of my answers. It was a 5m survey every few months just asking if I liked it and if it was working as intended. And of course they threw in a complimentary STD screening.

It makes me so sad. I'm an adult now but I think back to all the broke college kids just trying to do things right and stay safe while also getting to explore.

So anyone have any tips for affordable birth control that isn't PP? And not the pill so no Telehealth.

[JonnyR]

Oh, this is a very many-layered topic! When I was younger, I visited Planned Parenthood (PP) for my own STI testing, for lots of reasons, but mainly for cost savings and because they could see you right away.

The convenience alone was worth it, even if I had to pay a nominal fee.

I'm a guy so I don't have any thoughts on where someone might go nowadays to find a cost-effective treatment like PP, but I'd have to imagine, with so many more options nowadays, that there has to be somewhere!?

Are there any non-profits like PP that operate online? What about local entities? I bet different states have different set ups -- well, not ALL states (that's a can of worms that I won't get into...) but let's say some states probably have that.

I know CA had protection laws in place for people who wanted to come from out of state for abortions and reproductive care where the state would pay for their treatment for free, and even fly them in if they lived in states without this service!

So again, it's out there...just a matter of finding a repository or resource for those services.

[Birdie_567]

Yes it was seriously so convenient! I am sure that there are some other local non-profits that do somewhat similar things. I do live in a state that is very against PP (Utah), unfortunately. So maybe I'd have more luck in a different state.

But I am visiting my brother and some friends this winter in Cali. Maybe they have good spots they can share.

Also cool to see that a man using PP too. It really is a wonderful resource that doesn't deserve the hate at all imo.