Definitions
Birth Control
Assess your Birth Control
Birth Control Quiz
BIRTH CONTROL BASICS
Are you concerned about birth control but unsure of your options? If you’re having vaginal sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, there are lots of ways you can prevent pregnancy. Vaginal sex is when something is put into a vagina*, usually a penis* or a sex toy. If you are having vaginal sex with a penis, there is a possibility of pregnancy. For more information, check out the section How pregnancy happens.
You have the right to find, obtain and use the birth control method of your choice. It’s important to explore what kinds of birth control will work for you.
There are many different options for birth control. It’s not just about the pill and the condom anymore; you can also choose from the patch, ring, IUD, diaphragm, sponge and many others. In fact, there are so many different forms of birth control it can be hard to sort out what’s best for you.
Check out this section for information about different methods of birth control, how they work and where to get them.
Remember, every person is unique. What works for your friends may not work for you. You may need to try a few different types of birth control before you find out what works best for you.
What kind of birth control method should I choose?Your choice will depend on a lot of factors. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are thinking about what type of birth control to use:
If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]
*We know that these aren’t the words everyone uses for their bodies (eg. trans folks), and support you using the language that feels best for you.
Are you concerned about birth control but unsure of your options? If you’re having vaginal sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, there are lots of ways you can prevent pregnancy. Vaginal sex is when something is put into a vagina*, usually a penis* or a sex toy. If you are having vaginal sex with a penis, there is a possibility of pregnancy. For more information, check out the section How pregnancy happens.
You have the right to find, obtain and use the birth control method of your choice. It’s important to explore what kinds of birth control will work for you.
There are many different options for birth control. It’s not just about the pill and the condom anymore; you can also choose from the patch, ring, IUD, diaphragm, sponge and many others. In fact, there are so many different forms of birth control it can be hard to sort out what’s best for you.
Check out this section for information about different methods of birth control, how they work and where to get them.
Remember, every person is unique. What works for your friends may not work for you. You may need to try a few different types of birth control before you find out what works best for you.
What kind of birth control method should I choose?Your choice will depend on a lot of factors. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are thinking about what type of birth control to use:
- How well does it need to work? (Keep in mind that there is no method of birth control that works 100% of the time.)
- Do I have any health issues?
- How much money do I have? (If money is an issue check out Birth Control: Finding the best fit for you)
- Can I get to a clinic for a prescription?
- Am I okay with having an internal examination by a doctor?
- Am I okay with using hormonal forms of birth control?
If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]
*We know that these aren’t the words everyone uses for their bodies (eg. trans folks), and support you using the language that feels best for you.
ACCESSING BIRTH CONTROL ON YOUR OWN TERMS
Once you have chosen a birth control method you think will work for you, the next step is to actually get it. You may have questions such as: Can I get birth control without anyone finding out? Do I have to be a certain age? Do I need a prescription? Do I need a health card?
This page provides answers to some basic questions that should help you find and access your birth control method of choice.
Can I get birth control without anyone finding out?
Many clinics provide birth control at a reduced cost. Just ask at the front desk!
Will I need to have an internal exam?
You can usually get free external condoms at clinics, community centres and schools. Internal condoms are sometimes available too. You can also buy them at drug stores, variety stores, grocery stores, and sex stores. Free internal condoms are sometimes available at sexual health clinics or drug stores.
Sponge
Only Shoppers Drug Mart carries the sponge in BC. You don’t need a prescription to get one.
VCF
Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) can be bought at a drug store. Some clinics sell it at a reduced cost. You don’t need a prescription.
IUD
Copper IUDs (which are non-hormonal) can be bought at a drug store or at some sexual health clinics for a reduced cost. You will need a prescription and you will have to go back to a clinic to have the IUD inserted.
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM)
It is best that you set up an appointment with a professional FAM consultant before you rely on this method. You can contact the Red Tent Sisters for a consultation.
Where can I get emergency contraception like Plan B?
Plan ahead for Plan B! Talk to your health care provider about getting Plan B in advance so that you are ready if you think you may need it in the future. Make sure you check the expiry date before you use it.
If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]
Once you have chosen a birth control method you think will work for you, the next step is to actually get it. You may have questions such as: Can I get birth control without anyone finding out? Do I have to be a certain age? Do I need a prescription? Do I need a health card?
This page provides answers to some basic questions that should help you find and access your birth control method of choice.
Can I get birth control without anyone finding out?
- Yes. You do not need permission from a parent or guardian to get birth control. In fact, it is unethical and illegal for clinic workers or health care providers to tell your parents/guardians you were even at the clinic. The agreement to keep your visit private is called a confidentiality agreement.
- There is no age limit for accessing any form of birth control including condoms.
- You need to have started your period to safely use hormonal methods.
- You can get a prescription for birth control from your health care provider or from a sexual health clinic.
- Some walk-in clinics will also provide prescriptions for birth control.
Many clinics provide birth control at a reduced cost. Just ask at the front desk!
Will I need to have an internal exam?
- Diaphragms and IUDs must be fitted by a health care provider who will also do an internal and external pelvic exam.
- Some health care providers may ask you to have a Pap test before they will prescribe hormonal birth control. For more information on the Pap test, check out Pap Test 101.
- If you have benefits from a drug plan (or a parent/guardian’s drug plan) that will cover some or all of the cost, you may choose to go to a drug store to fill a birth control prescription.
- Some sexual health clinics provide birth control at a lower cost than drug stores.
- Health clinics offers free condoms as well as birth control options at a reduced rate.
- For more information about the cost of birth control, check the page for each method.
- Drug stores and some sexual health clinics sell or provide non-hormonal birth control such as condoms and VCFs.
You can usually get free external condoms at clinics, community centres and schools. Internal condoms are sometimes available too. You can also buy them at drug stores, variety stores, grocery stores, and sex stores. Free internal condoms are sometimes available at sexual health clinics or drug stores.
Sponge
Only Shoppers Drug Mart carries the sponge in BC. You don’t need a prescription to get one.
VCF
Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) can be bought at a drug store. Some clinics sell it at a reduced cost. You don’t need a prescription.
IUD
Copper IUDs (which are non-hormonal) can be bought at a drug store or at some sexual health clinics for a reduced cost. You will need a prescription and you will have to go back to a clinic to have the IUD inserted.
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM)
It is best that you set up an appointment with a professional FAM consultant before you rely on this method. You can contact the Red Tent Sisters for a consultation.
Where can I get emergency contraception like Plan B?
- You can buy Plan B for $30-40 at a drug store without a prescription. A pharmacist may want to talk to you about how it works and how to take it.
- You can also get Plan B and/or ella for $13-25 at many youth clinics. Before you buy it, you’ll have to speak with a health care provider, although no appointment is required.
Plan ahead for Plan B! Talk to your health care provider about getting Plan B in advance so that you are ready if you think you may need it in the future. Make sure you check the expiry date before you use it.
If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]