This is the second reader questions I answered for Glow magazine. From January to March I am there official sex expert.

“Is there any contraceptive buying etiquette? It just seems unfair that birth control costs so much more than condoms!”

I haven’t heard of any birth control etiquette per se, however common sense can direct this situation.

If you’re single and have just started seeing your beau, it’s up to each individual to provide birth control. No splitting of cost.

Unless they’ve shown you a recent certificate of health, in the first stages of a relationship you should always be using condoms to protect against STIs—even if they’re a really nice person and you’re sure they don’t have anything…use a condom.

When the relationship becomes long term relationship, absolutely birth control costs need to be split. Bring up with him that the birth control pill is expensive and it’s half of his responsibility. That can go both ways—the female can help pay or have a stash of her own condoms.