Birth Control
F O R W O M E N A N D M E N
Birth Control
This pamphlet will introduce you to all the methods
of birth control currently available. It does not give
instructions.
The Pill
Condoms
Withdrawal
Spermicides
Sterilization
Depo-Provera
Contraceptive Patch
Intra Uterine Device
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.
Diaphragm, Cervical Cap
Emergency Birth Control
Fertility Awareness Method
Vaginal Contraceptive Ring
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
And Where
To Get It
C L I N I C S
,
Clinics
Free and confidential birth control clinics are located
throughout the City of Toronto. For the clinic nearest
you, or more information on birth control, call the
AIDS and Sexual Health InfoLine
416-392-2437
1-800-668-2437
www.toronto.ca/health
The Pill
The Condom
Intra Uterine Device
(oral contraceptive)
(for women)
(IUD)
What is it?
• pills that contain
hormones a woman
takes for either
21 or 28 days to
prevent pregnancy
What is it?
• plastic pouch worn
inside the vagina
What is it?
• a small piece of
plastic placed in the uterus
• stays inside the
uterus up to 10 years
How does it work?
• contains hormones that
stop the egg from being
released every month
• makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting
into the uterus
Where can you get it?
• a woman gets a prescription from her doctor or a clinic
PH0712GB0302
Spermicides
The Condom
What is it?
• sperm-killing chemicals,
usually Nonoxynol-9
(for men)
What is it?
• a tube of latex or
non-latex (polyurethane)
worn over the erect penis
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
(sponge, foam, gel,
contraceptive film)
Where can you get it?
• drugstores, clinics and some supermarkets
For permission to reproduce this material, call
Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600.
Where can you get it?
• drugstores and some clinics
The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
How does it work?
• it catches semen which
contains sperm
H O T L I N E
How does it work?
• a woman inserts it
before intercourse
• catches semen
How does it work?
• placed in vagina before
intercourse
• kills sperm
Where can you get it?
• drugstores, clinics
Spermicides do not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
The IUD does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). 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 to stop
sperm from getting into
the uterus
• 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 (STIs). 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 the 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 (STIs). Use condoms every time.
Diaphragm, Cervical Cap
What is it?
• rubber barrier which
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 (STIs). Use condoms every time.
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 this method
LAM does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
Withdrawal
What is it?
• pulling out the penis before ejaculation
How does it work?
• if the penis is pulled out in time, the sperm should
not enter the vagina.
• because it requires good control, withdrawal does not
always work
• a woman may need to go to a clinic and take
Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP)
Withdrawal does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
Emergency Birth Control
Sterilization
What is it?
• methods used if a condom breaks, if there is
unprotected sex, or in case of a sexual assault
• two methods to choose from are the Emergency
Contraceptive Pill or Intra Uterine Device
What is it?
• permanent surgical methods of birth control
Where can you get it?
• should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex
• can work up to five days after unprotected sex
1. Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)
How does it work?
• for men:
doctor cuts or blocks the tubes that carry
sperm from the testicles
• for women: doctor cuts or blocks the tubes that carry
the 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
also known as Morning After Pill or Plan B
What is it?
• pills containing hormones
How does it work?
• usually stops the egg from leaving the ovary
• also works by stopping embryo from attaching to the uterus
• should be taken as soon as possible within five days
after unprotected sex
Where can you get it?
• clinics and some doctors
• available from a pharmacist without a doctor’s prescription
2. Intra Uterine Device (IUD)
What is it?
• a piece of plastic placed inside the uterus
How does it work?
• changes the lining of the uterus so a woman will not
get pregnant
• must be inserted as soon as possible within five days
after unprotected sex
Where can you get it?
• some clinics and some doctors
These methods do not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
Sterilization does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.
Abortion
When birth control fails, abortion is available in Ontario.
What is it?
• abortion is a medical or surgical procedure that
ends pregnancy
How does it work?
• different methods are used depending on the number of
weeks since the first day of the last period
Where can you get it?
• at abortion clinics and some hospitals
• abortion is performed up to 20 weeks of pregnancy
in Canada
The Vaginal Contraceptive
Ring (NuvaRing®)
What is it?
• a flexible ring a woman inserts into the vagina
• the ring is changed once a month
• it contains hormones similar to those in birth control pills
How does it work?
• stops eggs from leaving the ovaries
• thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult
for sperm to enter the uterus
Where can you get it?
• a woman gets a prescription from her doctor or clinic
The vaginal contraceptive ring does not protect against
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use condoms
every time.
The Patch
What is it?
• a patch that delivers hormones directly through your
skin and into your bloodstream
• the patch is changed once a week
• it contains hormones similar to those in birth control pills
How does it work?
• stops eggs from leaving the ovaries
• thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult
for sperm to enter the uterus
Where can you get it?
• a woman gets a prescription from her doctor or clinic
The contraceptive patch does not protect against sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). Use condoms every time.