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Sexual Health Information |
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This website will introduce you to all the methods of birth control currently available. It does not give instructions.
Make sure you have all the information you need before you use any of these methods. Some methods are more effective than others. You can discuss these methods, how to use them and their effectiveness with your doctor, or with a counsellor at a sexual health clinic.
Some of these methods are only given with a prescription. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. A doctor or counsellor can explain any health or safety issues with you, so you can make your own decision.
Pill
Condom (for men)
Condom (for women)
Spermicides
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
Depo-Provera
Fertility Awareness Method
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Diaphragm, Cervical Cap
Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraceptive Pill
Sterilization
Abortion
Withdrawal
The Patch
Newer Methods
Nuvaring®
Implanon®
Seasonale®
Lunelle®
Pill
What is it?
Pills that contain hormones a woman takes for either 21 or 28 days to prevent pregnancy.
The Pill does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting to the uterus
The Pill does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Where can you get it?
A woman gets a prescription from her doctor or a clinic
The Pill does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Condom (for men)
What is it?
A tube of latex rubber (or plastic) worn over an erect penis
How does it work?
It catches semen, which contains sperm
Where can you get it?
Drugstores, clinics and some supermarkets
Condom (for women)
What is it?
A plastic pouch worn inside the vagina
How does it work?
- A woman inserts it before intercourse
- Catches semen which contains sperm
Where can you get it?
Drugstores and some clinics
For more information:
Female condom pamphlet
Spermicides (sponge, foam, gel, contraceptive film)
What is it?
Sperm-killing chemicals, usually nonoxynol-9
Spermicides do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections
How does it work?
- Placed in the vagina before intercourse
- Spermicide is released which kills sperm
Spermicides do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections
Where can you get it?
Drugstores and clinics
Spermicides do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections
Use condoms every time
Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
What is it?
- A small piece of plastic placed in the uterus
- Stays in uterus for up to 10 years
The IUD does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
How does it work?
- Stops sperm from reaching the egg
- Changes the lining of the uterus so a woman will not get pregnant
Where can you get it?
From some doctors and some clinics
The IUD does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Depo-Provera
What is it?
A hormone injection given every three months
How does it work?
- Hormone makes cervical mucus thicker
- May stop eggs from leaving the ovary
Where can you get it?
From some doctors and some clinics
Depo-Provera does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Fertility Awareness Method
What is it?
A combination of natural methods of birth control
How does it work?
- A woman keeps a record of her menstrual cycle
- She looks for signs that she is close to ovulation (releasing an egg)
- She and her partner do not have sex around the time of ovulation
- The Fertility Awareness Method can be used to make other methods more effective because a woman knows when she is fertile and can use a second method e.g. condoms
Where can you get it?
A woman can take a course to learn how to use this method effectively
Fertility Awareness Method does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Ovulation Method Research and Reference Centre of Australia Ltd, Australia
A non-profit organization which undertakes research into fertility and infertility awareness. Provides animation of fertility cycle as well as info about the Billings method.
Fertility Facts (PDF file size 51KB)
Fertility Chart (PDF file size 31KB)
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
What is it?
Natural method of birth control using breastfeeding
How does it work?
- Stops ovulation under certain conditions
- Mother must be fully or nearly fully breastfeeding
- Baby must be less than six months old
- Mother must not have her period yet.
Where can you get it?
Get more information from a Public Health Nurse or Lactational Consultant before using
LAM does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Diaphragm, Cervical Cap
What is it?
Rubber barrier that covers the cervix at the back of the vagina
How does it work?
- Used with spermicide
- Holds spermicide in place to kill sperm
Where can you get it?
Doctor or clinic fits woman for diaphragm or cervical cap
These methods do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Emergency Contraception
What is it?
- Methods used if a condom breaks, if there is unprotected sex, or in the case of a sexual assault
- Two methods to choose from are the Emergency Contraceptive Pill or the Intra-Uterine Device
Emergency Contraceptive Pill
What is it?
Pills containing hormones
How does it work?
- Usually stops sperm from meeting the egg
- Also works by stopping the embryo from attaching to the uterus
- Should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex
- Can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex
Where can you get it?
Clinics and some doctors. It is available without a doctor's prescription at drugstores in Ontario.
ECP Brochure (PDF file size 33KB)
Sterilization
What is it?
Permanent surgical methods of birth control
How does it work?
For men:
doctor cuts the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles
For women:
doctor cuts or blocks the tubes that carry eggs to the uterus
Where can you get it?
For men:
doctors perform surgery in office or hospital
For women:
doctors perform surgery in hospital
Sterilization does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Abortion
When contraception fails, abortion is available in Ontario
What is it?
Abortion is a medical procedure that ends pregnancy
How does it work?
There are several methods which all cause a miscarriage
Where can you get it?
At some hospitals and abortion clinics
Withdrawal
What is it?
A natural method of birth control
How does it work?
- During intercourse, the man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculating (releasing semen)
- Semen (which contains sperm) is not released inside the vagina
Withdrawal does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
The Patch
What is it?
The patch is attached to the skin and delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is changed once a week for three weeks each month. During the fourth patch-free week, the woman gets her period.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting to the uterus
Where can you get it?
A woman gets a prescription from her doctor or a clinic
The Patch does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
For more information:
www.orthoevra.com
Newer Methods
Nuvaring®
What is it?
A soft, flexible ring inserted in the vagina. It delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is inserted for 21 days and removed for 7 days. A new one is inserted at the end of the 7-day break.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting to the uterus
The Nuvaring® does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Now available in Canada
For more information:
http://www.nuvaring.com/Consumer/index.asp#
Implanon®
What is it?
- A capsule that is placed under the skin in the arm.
- It lasts for up to 3 years
How does it work?
- Hormone makes cervical mucus thicker
- May stop eggs from leaving the ovary
Implanon® does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Not available in Canada yet
For more information:
http://www.fpahealth.org.au/sex-matters/factsheets/28.html
Seasonale®
What is it?
Pills that contain hormones a woman takes prevent pregnancy. A woman will get her period four times a year on these pills.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting to the uterus
Seasonale® does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Not available in Canada yet
For more information:
http://www.seasonale.com/home.aspx
Lunelle®
What is it?
A hormone injection given every month
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting to the uterus
Lunelle® does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Not available in Canada yet
For more information:
http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/lunelle.htm
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