Buying Plan B can be an awkward experience. But it doesn’t have to be! We’re here to go over all the ins and outs of buying emergency contraception at Walmart so that you’re 100% prepared the next time you find yourself in a bind.
First, let’s go over the basics…
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Where To Find Plan B At Walmart
Plan B and other emergency contraceptives can be found on Walmart.com or at any Walmart store location.
Where exactly you’ll find the Plan B at a Walmart store may vary by store location. However, if your Walmart store has a pharmacy, the emergency contraceptives will likely be kept behind the counter to prevent theft. However, you do not need a prescription or an ID to purchase Plan B.
If your local Walmart store does not have a pharmacy, then you will likely find the Plan B where the condoms and pregnancy tests are kept, somewhere near the over-the-counter medications and menstrual hygiene products.
Emergency contraceptive pills typically range in price from $35 to $45 at Walmart. However, Walmart carries a popular discount brand of levonorgestrel called My Choice, which is available for just $9.95 and holds solid reviews. Many customers have expressed ordering My Choice online and receiving it within one day of placing their order.
If you’d like to shop for Plan B elsewhere, check out our guide to buying Plan B at Costco here.
Emergency Contraception Purchase Limits
Fortunately, there are no official purchase limits or restrictions for Plan B or other emergency contraceptive pills at Walmart.
However, if you live in Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, or South Dakota, you may be denied emergency contraception at your local Walmart for “moral reasons.” According to GovTrack.us, retailers and pharmacies in those states can legally deny the sale of emergency contraception to anyone on the basis of “moral or religious objection.”
If you live in any of these six red states, reach out to your nearest Planned Parenthood for support with finding accessible emergency contraception.
While Walmart hasn’t historically limited the purchase of Plan B, they’ve unfortunately changed their policies a bit in recent years…
In 2022, Walmart placed a temporary cap on the sale of emergency contraceptives such as Plan B due to a soaring demand in the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade. As it stands, Walmart has not commented on whether or not they will remove this cap any time soon.
Availability and sale of Plan B pills at your local Walmart may depend on inventory.
If you are having trouble accessing emergency contraception, call the national Planned Parenthood resource line at 1 (800) 230-7526.
Alternative Emergency Contraception Brands
While Plan B is the most widely known brand of emergency contraception, it is far from your only option.
Walmart also sells emergency contraception from brands like Julie, My After Plan, My Choice, and Take Action. To browse emergency contraception options on Walmart.com, click here.
As it stands, My Choice is the cheapest brand of levonorgestrel available at Walmart. It holds a solid 4.4-star average customer rating from over 300 reviews on Walmart.com. Plan B only holds a 4-star rating from less than 100 reviews.
My Choice is the best-selling emergency contraceptive pill available on Walmart.com in 2023.
How Plan B Emergency Contraception Works
Plan B is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill widely known and used throughout the US. Commonly referred to as “the morning after pill,” Plan B can help prevent a pregnancy before it begins in the event of unprotected sex.
The active ingredient in Plan B is called levonorgestrel, which works to prevent or delay the release of an egg from the ovary. In this way, Plan B and other equivalent medications are not abortion pills, contrary to popular belief.
Instead, Plan B and other emergency contraceptive pills are a form of preventative birth control similar to a birth control pill or condom. However, Plan B should never be used as a replacement for a daily birth control pill.
According to Planned Parenthood, Plan B and other levonorgestrel-based medications “can lower your chance of getting pregnant by 75-89% if you take it within three days after unprotected sex.”
Plan B Side Effects
Needless to say, the main intended effect of taking Plan B is to prevent your body from getting pregnant.
But there are some other not-so-fun side effects that are important to be aware of before taking the pill.
Some of the common side effects of taking a morning-after pill include…
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting (bleeding between periods)
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
These symptoms should only last a few days after taking the medication. If your symptoms persist, you should see a doctor immediately as this could indicate an allergy to the medication.
According to Medical News Today, there are no significant health risks associated with levonorgestrel or Plan B.
Plan B is safe to consume by anyone who has the chance of becoming pregnant. While Plan B will not end a pregnancy, it should still be avoided by anyone who is pregnant or wants to become pregnant.
Levonorgestrel is a form of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone in the bodies of people who menstruate.
FAQs
How old do you have to be to buy Plan B?
Any age. Plan B and its generic equivalents can be purchased by anyone of any age.
Does Walmart sell birth control pills?
Yes. However, you must have a prescription from a doctor sent to the Walmart Pharmacy to access these pills. If you do not have a prescription, Walmart sells over-the-counter birth control methods including condoms and emergency contraception.
How can you get Plan B for free?
The best way to get Plan B for free is to visit your local Planned Parenthood. If you do not have a Planned Parenthood in your area, try visiting your local emergency health or family planning clinic. While these places might attempt to charge you for Plan B, they are also likely to have waiver programs for those who cannot afford to pay.
Final Thoughts
Remember that buying emergency contraception is normal, common, and nothing to be ashamed of. By educating yourself on what’s available in your area and what laws or restrictions you can expect to confront, you will be prepared to access the healthcare you need.
