Table of Contents
About Phexxi
Phexxi is on-demand birth control that works more like an allergy pill than a daily multivitamin. You only need to take it before you have sex rather than all the time. Think of it this way: if you’re allergic to cats, you likely won’t need to take a pill every day to keep your allergies at bay if you only come across a cat once a month.
Topical birth control is less of a hassle than birth control you need to be on long-term, especially when it’s hormone-free like Phexxi. This new method has earned the company 11k Instagram followers and features in the New York Times, Healthline, and more.
You might think to yourself that hormone-free, topical birth control that you can potentially get for free (if you’re eligible) sounds like a fantasy, but it might not be for you. In my Phexxi review, I will give you the necessary info you need to decide whether or not the prescription is worth it for you.
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Overview of Phexxi
The only 100% effective birth control method is abstinence, but that’s also the least realistic birth control method. Here in the real world, people want to be intimate with their partners, but people also want to have control over if and when they get pregnant. So, we have to come to a reasonable compromise, and Phexxi is trying to be the best compromise on the market.
The main issue with birth control nowadays is that you either have to endure a long-term treatment like daily pills that come with a host of side effects or you’re at the whim of your partner who may not have protection ready when the moment strikes.
That’s where Phexxi comes in. Not only do women control when and how it’s applied, but it’s shown effective results in the lab. Phexxi’s website reports that typical use held an 86% pregnancy prevention rate in one study. Another study found that 99% of sex acts did not result in a pregnancy when Phexxi was used correctly.
If you’re looking at side effects then there aren’t many that come with Phexxi. Only 2% of women in clinical trials dropped out due to side effects, and these effects were related to vaginal itching or UTIs rather than hormone imbalances.
You can easily obtain Phexxi through a telehealth appointment with a doctor. You must fill out a survey online that includes typical questions related to your medical history, then Phexxi will connect you with a board-certified doctor. After that, you can expect your Phexxi prescription to reach your doorstep soon. Let’s review some of Phexxi’s highlights.
Highlights
- Hormone-free birth control gel
- FDA-approved
- Prescription based
- Some users can qualify to receive their first prescription for free
- Low rate of side effect prevalence
- Studies have shown it is effective
Phexxi Birth Control Review
Let’s get into the meat of my Phexxi review by looking at the two most important components of the product: how does it work and how do you use it?
How Does Phexxi Work?
One thing I think many people reading my Phexxi review might be wondering is that the science behind birth control is easy to understand. There are three main ingredients in Phexxi:
- Lactic Acid
- Citric Acid
- Potassium Bitartrate
You may recognize these components as being food-grade and Phexxi would applaud your studied eyes. That’s because Phexxi doesn’t kill sperm. Instead, it keeps your vaginal pH at a level that discourages sperm from entering deeper into your reproductive canal.
Basically, vaginas usually sit around 3.5-4.5 pH, which is too acidic for sperm to move deeper. The thing is, sperm also affects the vagina’s pH and raises it to 6.5-7.2 pH. So Phexxi’s ingredients are naturally acidic, keeping the pH in that 3.5-4.5 pH range, making it extremely difficult for sperm to penetrate deeper.
The next section of my Phexxi review will tell you how to use the product once things get steamy.
How To Use Phexxi
Simplicity is the name of the game with Phexxi, both concerning its science and its application. The prescription has a three-step process and a pretty wide effectiveness window. You can either use it right before sex or up to an hour before things begin.
Once you choose to apply it, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Connect the applicator to the rod containing Phexxi.
- Insert the applicator into your vagina the same way you would a tampon. Press the applicator to release the gel.
- Remove the applicator.
That’s it! It’s really that simple. Certainly, it’s less cumbersome than putting on a condom in the heat of the moment.
The other notion is that you don’t have to remember to take Phexxi every day, nor do you have to keep your prescriptions topped up. So long as you have a dose around for when you decide to have sex, you’re set.
Who Is Phexxi For?
Phexxi is a great birth control alternative for women who feel side effects from hormonal birth control and who want to retain more control over potential pregnancy.
Phexxi Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
It’s hard to find aggregate scores for Phexxi since it’s not a commercial product. There weren’t any Google Reviews for the prescription, so I turned to three different resources for user opinions: Drugs.com, Web MD, and Reddit. Here’s what I found.
Each of these sites offered unbiased customer testimonials on Phexxi. Many users spoke positively of Phexxi, favorably comparing it to other birth control methods. Specifically, they preferred it to hormone-based birth control products that gave them side effects.
One user wrote: “I’m so excited to have a hormone-free option that I only have to use when I need it, instead of the IUD that pumped hormones into me constantly, or a pill that did the same. I had zero side effects with Phexxi. It can be annoying to stop and insert in the moment, but that’s not an issue if you plan ahead and use it before foreplay.”
In fact, it was the lack of side effects associated with Phexxi that drew many people to the product, and I didn’t read any Phexxi reviews that reported side effects. Here’s what one buyer wrote on Drugs.com:
“I have been using for a few months and have not gotten pregnant. I am very happy with the ease of use and its effectiveness without using hormones. I become very depressed using the pill so had to stop using it. I have had no side effects from Phexxi and only use it when I need it.”
Here’s the thing: many users reported that they still got pregnant after using Phexxi. Granted many of these testimonials didn’t provide many details concerning following application protocols so I can’t say whether or not they were following the directions to a tee.
And while I can’t speak for everyone, this user made a good point in this Phexxi review:
“I cannot take hormonal [birth control] for health reasons and asked my doctor about Phexxi. It’s been a year and so far so good! It’s easy to use and I have not experienced any irritation. My Dr. told me to make sure we use it with another form of BC. We use with withdrawal method. This is not an ideal method for people who can use hormones but for us that can’t…it’s great.”
Obviously, with birth control, pregnancy is probably one of the worst negative effects to report as it is exactly what Phexxi should be preventing. However, as some customers wrote, Phexxi might best be used with other methods of birth control, and you will want to be sure you are properly following the application process. Remember to always practice safe sex!
Is Phexxi Legit?
In terms of legitimacy, that’s a tricky question. While I do not doubt that Phexxi’s creators had good intentions with a hormone-free method, the mixed effectiveness of this birth control leaves it in a murky place.
Is Phexxi Worth It?
I would love to wrap up my Phexxi review by giving it a sincere recommendation, I simply can’t. The fact that customers who say that it’s worked for them usually include details about using it alongside another birth control method makes it hard to know for sure if it’s effective by itself.
Plus, while some insurance companies cover it, some online users said that it was expensive when not covered.
Phexxi Promotions & Discounts
Eligible women can receive their first Phexxi prescription for free and refills for as little as $25. To find out if this applies to you, you must answer a questionnaire on the brand’s website.
Where to Buy Phexxi
You can obtain a prescription for this product through your doctor.
FAQ
Who owns Phexxi?
Evofem Biosciences makes Phexxi.
Does Phexxi ship internationally?
At the time of writing my Phexxi review, it seems that this birth control method is only available in the United States.
What is Phexxi’s Shipping Policy?
Besides being delivered to your door, Phexxi does not offer any other shipping information.
What is Phexxi’s Return Policy?
As a medical product, Phexxi doesn’t seem to have a return policy.
How to Contact Phexxi
You can contact the team behind Phexxi by phone at 1-858-550-1900 or through their contact form.
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