Birth Control Rights in Idaho

Is birth control legal in Idaho?

Yes, all birth control is legal for everyone in Idaho. If you are under eighteen, a guardian must consent for anyone to give you birth control. Birth control (contraception) is anything that prevents pregnancy. It can block sperm from fertilizing an egg or stop a fertilized egg from implanting. Contraceptives do not cause abortions. There are many different kinds of birth control. It’s a good idea to find the type that works for you and get it before you have sex.

What if I had sex without birth control?

If you had unprotected sex and don’t want to get pregnant, try to get emergency contraception (EC) as soon as possible.

EC only works if you take it within 5 days (120 hours) of when you had unprotected sex.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception (EC) is birth control. It is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. EC is not an abortion pill.

Emergency contraception may not be accessible through your doctor or local pharmacy. Try to find contraception that works for you and get it before you have sex. This tool can help you compare your options.

You can ask your doctor for EC pills just in case you need it in the future. This is called advance provision.

There are two kinds of EC: pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

EC Pills:

The sooner you use EC pills, the better they work. EC pills contain hormones to stop you from getting pregnant. There are lots of brand names for EC pills that you don’t need a prescription to buy.

Over-the-counter EC pills (no prescription needed):

• Aftera
• AfterPill
• AfterPlan
• Athentia
• BionaFem
• EContra
• Fallback
• Julie
• Morning After
• My Choice
• My Way
• New Day
• Next Choice
• Opcicon
• Option 2
• Plan B
• PostDay
• Preventeza
• React
• Take Action

Prescription EC pill:

At the time of this publication, ella is the only prescription EC pill. It is also the most effective EC pill.

A note on body size and effectiveness:

Over 165 lbs? If you weigh over 165 pounds, prescription EC pills work better than over-the-counter pills.

Over 195 lbs? If you weigh over 195 pounds, IUDs work better than pills. See the IUD info below.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

IUDs are the most effective emergency contraception. An IUD is a T-shaped piece of plastic with either copper wire or hormones to prevent pregnancy. A medical professional must insert it into your uterus through your vagina. Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), primary care physicians (PCPs), midwives, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician’s assistants (PAs) can all insert IUDs.

People of any weight can use IUDs. They are equally effective any time within 5 days of unprotected sex. Also, IUDs can last for around 10 years.

How do I get EC?

Overview

1. Visit a pharmacy for non-prescription pills.
2. Visit a healthcare professional for prescription pills or IUD insertion.
3. Use online shopping, or an online pharmacy.
4. Ask for pills or IUD insertion during a sexual assault exam.
5. Find a free reproductive health supply box.

1. Pharmacy

Anyone can buy over-the-counter EC pills from a pharmacy. “Over-the-counter” means you do not need a prescription. There are no age restrictions.

Not all pharmacies have EC. Check the shelves as soon as possible if this is the contraception you want. If you don’t see EC out on the shelves, you can ask a pharmacist for it at the drug counter. If the pharmacist asks to see your ID or refuses to sell you emergency contraception, please reach out to Legal Voice.

2. Medical provider

Your regular healthcare provider may be able to prescribe contraceptive pills or insert an IUD. If you decide you want to see a provider, call as soon as possible. Your regular doctor may not have an appointment available soon enough, or may not handle EC. You can ask your provider about cost and pain management before the IUD appointment.

Planned Parenthood Meridian and Planned Parenthood Twin Falls prescribe EC and insert IUDs.

Look for a family planning clinic near you. These clinics offer a range of reproductive healthcare services.

Watch out for fake clinics, sometimes known as Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). This map shows many Idaho CPCs.

CPC websites may look exactly like those of real clinics. But CPCs do not provide emergency contraception! Their goal is to keep you pregnant. Even if a CPC website talks about options, they will not provide or refer you for EC.

Most Idaho CPCs don’t have medical staff and don’t offer medical services. This means CPCs do not have to keep your personal information private. They can do whatever they want with your contact information and health history.

CPCs may also give you deceptive information. If you aren’t sure whether a clinic is a CPC, say that you are looking for EC when you call for an appointment. Ask if the clinic provides emergency contraception prescriptions or IUD insertion. If they don’t give you a clear answer, or the answer is no, seek care elsewhere.

Learn more about CPCs on our page Know Before You Go: Crisis Pregnancy Centers Want You to Stay Pregnant.

3. Online

You can buy EC pills without a prescription through CVS, Target, Amazon, and Wisp.

If you want a prescription, you may be able to get one through the Planned Parenthood app or websites Nurx, PRJKT RUBY, and Pandia Health. You can then order the prescription pills through Wisp.

4. Hospital sexual assault exam

If you have been raped, you can visit a hospital for an exam or a free sexual assault kit. You do not have to report the crime to police, and you can choose to report anonymously. You can also request EC. If the physician won’t provide EC, you can ask for help finding it elsewhere. You can also ask for a patient advocate to support you. If your doctor won’t help you at all, ask them to document their refusal in your chart and reach out to Legal Voice.

5. Free box near you

Some businesses across Idaho have free reproductive health boxes. Anyone can take what they need from the boxes, including free EC pills, condoms, and pregnancy tests.

Resources

Funding, Support and Referrals​

• Bedsider.org: Information about birth control options, and referrals to providers.
• Repro Legal Helpline: Free, confidential helpline where you can get legal information or advice about self-managed abortion, young people’s access to abortion or judicial bypass, and referrals to local resources. Run by If/When/How. By phone: 1-844-868-2812

Other Information

• Know Before You Go: Crisis Pregnancy Centers Want You to Stay Pregnant, by Legal Voice
• Abortion Rights in Idaho, by Legal Voice