Birth control advice centred on your needs.

Choosing a method that fits your life

Contraception works best when it is both medically appropriate and realistic to use. Some people prefer a daily pill because it is familiar and easy to stop. Others want a method that lasts for months or years without regular action. Bleeding patterns, privacy, comfort with procedures, medication coverage and plans for pregnancy can all shape the decision.

During counselling, the clinician explains which options are compatible with your health history. Combined hormonal methods contain estrogen and progestin; progestin-only and non-hormonal choices are also available. A history of blood clots, migraine with aura, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain liver conditions, breast cancer, smoking at some ages or medication interactions may change which methods are recommended. Answering these questions honestly helps make prescribing safer.

Effectiveness also depends on use. A method that must be taken or changed on schedule has more opportunity for missed doses than an implant or IUD. We can explain both perfect-use and everyday-use considerations without judging your routine.

Starting, changing or restarting birth control

The clinician may ask about the first day of your last period, recent sexual activity, pregnancy possibility and current contraception. A pregnancy test may be appropriate in some circumstances, but a negative result cannot always exclude a very recent pregnancy. You will receive instructions about when to start, whether backup contraception is needed and what to do after a missed dose.

When switching methods, timing matters. An overlap or short period of backup contraception may be recommended so protection is not unintentionally interrupted. If you want to stop because of side effects, discuss alternatives before discontinuing whenever possible.

Some methods require a trained provider for insertion or removal. Counselling at our clinic may lead to a referral or separate appointment rather than same-day placement. Availability, cost and public or private drug coverage vary, so ask before filling a prescription or arranging a procedure.

Side effects and follow-up

Changes in bleeding are common after starting many contraceptives. Depending on the method, periods may become lighter, less predictable or absent. Other possible effects include nausea, breast tenderness, headache, mood changes or skin changes. The clinician will explain what is expected, what can be monitored and what should prompt reassessment.

Follow-up is useful if side effects interfere with daily life, blood pressure changes, another medication is started or pregnancy plans change. Seek urgent help for severe chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, new weakness, sudden vision or speech changes, or a painful swollen leg.

Contraception and sexual health

Most contraceptive methods prevent pregnancy but do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms can add STI protection and may be used together with another birth control method. If there has been a new partner, a condom break or another possible exposure, ask about testing and the timing of results.

Emergency contraception can reduce pregnancy risk after unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure. Because available options are time-sensitive, seek advice promptly. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis is also time-sensitive after certain exposures and should be discussed urgently.

For more background, review the Government of Canada’s contraception guide and information about condoms and STI prevention.

Medical information is for general education and does not replace professional advice. A clinician must consider your health history before recommending or prescribing contraception.