On the down low: What to do if you have to hide your birth control

There may come a time when you need to hide your birth control from a partner.

Why? Because some people are against it. Or they don’t want you having sex. Or they don’t want you to have any say in whether or not you get pregnant. Or worse—some partners are abusive and may try to sabotage your birth control efforts.

We hope you never have to hide your supply, but if you do, here’s how to handle it.

Getting It
If you don’t want to use insurance or see your family doctor, local clinics can provide affordable birth control. Make an appointment when no one is around and choose a time when nobody will question your whereabouts. Clinics will respect your decision and your privacy.

Choosing It
Some methods are much easier to hide than others. The Depo shot and the Implant are invisible, so nobody will know you’re using birth control. The IUD is also very discrete, except for the practically-invisible strings, so that’s another good option. (By the way, almost no one would notice those tiny strings even if they were extremely up close and personal down there.) And if you are looking for a permanent solution, sterilization surgery is also undetectable, but there may be age restrictions and waiting periods for this procedure.

If you go for a method that you have to take on a regular basis, like the pill, you’ll have to hide it where you can easily get to it. Stick it in an old shoe, way in the back of your closet where no one else goes. Tuck it under your mattress, as long as nobody is making your bed or moving it around. You could also stick it inside the pocket of an old purse or jacket, just be sure to choose ones that nobody will borrow or look through.

Paying For It
If you pay in cash, nobody can trace what you bought. Don’t use a shared checking account or credit card if you need to keep your payment secret.

Remembering It
Once you’re on a method you like, remember to keep using it.

Do what’s right for you,
Bedsider