If you are sexually active or thinking about becoming active and you don’t want an unplanned pregnancy, you should learn about your birth control options. Our sexual health clinic offers free pregnancy testing.
Need support? Talk with us.
Our sexual health clinic provides free and confidential counselling, supplies, and testing.
- Appointments are available.
- Drop-in services are offered in Sudbury.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.
Things to consider when choosing a birth control option:
- How effective is it?
- Are there any potential side effects?
- How often do you need to use the method? Does it require that you do something every time you have sex?
- Does it require cooperation from your sexual partner(s)?
- How much does it cost?
- How permanent is it or how long can you use it?
- When or if you want to have children?
- Does it also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Categories of birth control
To get pregnant, sperm must enter the vagina, reach the uterus and then fertilize an egg that has been released from the ovaries during ovulation.
Birth control methods prevent or interfere with this process in a variety of ways, depending on the method used.
Hormonal methods:
- birth control pill
- birth control patch
- vaginal ring
- hormonal injection
- intrauterine device (IUD)
Non-hormonal methods
- male or female condoms
- natural family planning
- lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)
Permanent methods
- vasectomy
- tubal ligation
Emergency contraception
- emergency contraceptive Pill (Plan B)
For more information about sexual and reproductive health, contact us, speak with a health care provider, or visit these websites.
Sexual Health Ontario
Sexual Health Ontario provides information on
- contraception and pregnancy
- healthy and safer sex and sexuality
- healthy relationships
- reproductive health
- sexually transmitted infections
You can also chat live with professionals.
Visit sexualhealthontario.caSex & U
Sex & U is a trusted source of information on
- consent
- contraception and pregnancy
- healthy and safer sex and sexuality
- healthy relationships
- information for parents
- online dating safety
- sexually transmitted infections