.png)
Planning a trip shouldn't mean stressing about your birth control. Whether you're heading across the country for a week or spending months abroad, keeping up with your contraception while traveling takes some preparation.
The good news is that with a little planning, you can enjoy your adventures without worrying about running out of birth control or missing doses.
Let us guide you through everything you need to know about managing birth control refills, shipping, and coverage while traveling.
Different birth control methods require different levels of planning when you travel. Understanding your method's specific needs helps you prepare properly.
Birth control pills need the most attention when traveling. You take one pill every day, which means you need enough medication for your entire trip plus a few extra days as backup. Count out how many pills you'll need, then add at least a week's worth extra in case of travel delays.
If you're crossing time zones, maintaining your pill schedule gets trickier. When traveling east (like from California to New York), your day gets shorter. When traveling west, your day gets longer. The key is keeping roughly 24 hours between doses. Some people find it easier to gradually shift their pill time by an hour or two each day until they match their destination's time zone.
Pack your pills in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage. Lost baggage could leave you without birth control for days or weeks. Keep pills in their original prescription packaging so you can prove they're yours if questioned by airport security or customs.
The birth control patch makes travel easier since you only change it once a week. Bring enough patches for your trip plus one extra. Pack them in your carry-on because extreme temperatures in cargo holds can damage the adhesive or hormones. If you're road-tripping through hot climates, keep patches in a cool place when possible.
The vaginal ring offers even more convenience. NuvaRing users need one ring per month, so a short trip might not require bringing extras. For longer trips, pack spare rings in your carry-on. If you use Annovera (the reusable ring), you only need that single ring for an entire year, making it incredibly travel-friendly. If you lose your ring mid-cycle, insert a new ring immediately to maintain pregnancy prevention.
The birth control shot provides the ultimate travel convenience. One injection protects you for three months, so most trips won't require any action. However, if your shot is due during your travels, schedule it before you leave or find a provider at your destination.
Running out of birth control while traveling creates unnecessary stress. Smart refill strategies keep you covered.
Losing your birth control during a trip happens more often than you'd think. Maybe your bag gets stolen, or your pill pack falls out of your purse. Stay calm and take action quickly.
First, contact your healthcare provider or online service like Twentyeight Health to request an emergency refill. Explain the situation and ask if they can call in a prescription to a local pharmacy near where you're staying. Many providers understand travel emergencies and can help quickly.
If you're traveling within the United States, some states allow pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception refills without a new prescription. State laws vary, so call pharmacies in your area to ask about their policies. States like California, Maryland, Oregon, West Virginia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and New Mexico have expanded pharmacist prescribing authority.
If you can't get a refill immediately, use backup contraception like external condoms until you can restart your birth control method. Visit a local health care clinic or Planned Parenthood if you need immediate help finding birth control options.
Online birth control services ship prescriptions directly to your door in discreet packaging. Standard shipping usually takes 3-5 business days, though expedited options may be available for urgent needs.
Most services require a valid U.S. address for delivery. You can ship to your home, a friend's house, your workplace, or even a hotel if you're staying there long enough. Just confirm with the hotel that they accept packages for guests.
We offer free shipping on all birth control orders. You can track your package and know exactly when it will arrive. If you're planning to travel, order refills before you leave so you have plenty of medication with you.
Birth control prescription services vary by state due to different regulations and insurance coverage rules. Some states have more restrictive state policies about telehealth prescriptions or out-of-state providers.
Twentyeight Health currently serves patients in 43 states for birth control services. We accept Medicaid in more states than any other telehealth platform, making affordable contraception accessible to more people. Check our website to confirm we serve your state before ordering.
Most insurance plans cover birth control at no cost under the Affordable Care Act. This includes pills, patches, rings, and other prescription contraceptives. However, coverage details vary between insurance companies and plans. The Affordable Care Act requires most insurers to cover prescription drugs for contraception without copays.
Before traveling, confirm your insurance coverage works in other states. Most insurance plans provide benefits nationwide, but some regional plans have limited networks. Call the number on your insurance card to verify coverage while traveling.
Medicaid coverage gets more complicated with travel because each state runs its own Medicaid program. Your home state's Medicaid typically doesn't cover services in other states except for emergencies. If you're traveling long-term, you might need to temporarily enroll in your new state's Medicaid program.
Don't have insurance? Our Standard Care Plan costs just $12.99 per month and includes unlimited provider messaging, prescription renewals, and free delivery. Birth control pills start at $18 per pack without insurance. You can cancel anytime, making it perfect for travelers who need flexible, affordable birth control access.
Even the best planning can't prevent every problem. Having backup plans ensures you stay protected if something goes wrong.
Sometimes you need just a few extra days of birth control to bridge a gap. Maybe your refill is delayed, or you're stuck somewhere longer than planned. In these situations, you have options.
Call your regular pharmacy back home and explain the situation. They might be able to transfer your prescription to a pharmacy near where you're staying. This process can take a day or two, so start early if you're running low on medication.
Some states allow pharmacists to provide emergency refills of birth control pills for short periods. These "emergency fills" typically cover 30 days or less. Not all states or pharmacies offer this, but it's worth asking if you're in urgent need.
If you take birth control pills continuously (skipping the placebo week), you have slightly more flexibility. You can take your placebo week early if needed, giving you a few extra days to sort out refills. Just remember that this changes when your next period will arrive.
Birth control access varies dramatically between countries. Some nations sell birth control pills over-the-counter without prescriptions, while others have strict restrictions on access.
Traveling with birth control doesn't have to be stressful. With proper planning, smart refill strategies, and backup options, you can explore the world while staying protected. Whether you're road-tripping across the country or spending your summer abroad, your reproductive health can travel with you.
Yes, you can have birth control shipped to hotels, Airbnb rentals, or other temporary addresses. When ordering from Twentyeight Health, simply enter your temporary address during checkout.
Before shipping to a hotel, call ahead to confirm they accept packages for guests. Provide your full name and arrival dates. Some hotels hold packages at the front desk for pickup. For Airbnb or vacation rentals, coordinate with your host about package deliveries.
State policies on birth control vary, but federal law protects your right to use contraception. The challenge comes when you need refills or new prescriptions while traveling.
Some states allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control directly without seeing a doctor. If you're traveling to one of these states and need emergency refills, visit a local pharmacy to ask about this option.
For short trips, these differences rarely matter if you bring enough medication with you. The last thing you want is to spend vacation time navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems.
Generally, no. Birth control prescriptions from your home state doctor are valid nationwide. Pharmacies across the country can fill prescriptions written by licensed U.S. healthcare providers, regardless of which state issued the license.
Telehealth services like Twentyeight Health simplify this entirely. Our providers can prescribe birth control regardless of where you're traveling within the states we serve. You don't need separate prescriptions for different states—one prescription covers you everywhere.
Make your birth control travel-proof with Twentyeight Health. Schedule a quick provider visit for convenient birth control refills, automatic reminders, and free shipping anywhere we serve. Our providers are here to help you plan ahead, handle emergencies, and keep you protected wherever your adventures take you.
This article was reviewed by Twentyeight Health's clinical team. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns.
.png)
.png)
