If you're biological sex is female then you have a lot of options for birth control. It's a good idea to talk to a health care professional about what will work best for you. The information below is a good place to start.
What kind of options are available?
Hormonal methods
These mimic natural hormones in the woman's body. Most hormonal methods stop ovaries from releasing an egg every month.
| Brand | Effectiveness | Cost |
| Pill | 92% | $15-$20 / month |
| Patch | 92% | $15 / month |
| NuvaRing | 92% | $15 / month |
| Depo-Provera (Depo shot) | 97% | $40 / 3 months |
Condoms
Condoms prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.
| Type | Effectiveness | Cost |
| Male condom | 85% | $0.50 - $1 each |
| Female condom | 79% | $5 each |
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
IUDs are a small, t-shaped device that's inserted into a woman’s uterus by a doctor.
| Type | Effectiveness | Cost |
| Copper IUD | 99.2% | $75-$180 every 5 years |
| Hormonal IUD | 99.9% | $385 every 5 years |
Natural Methods
These don't require the use any products to prevent pregnancy.
| Method | Effectiveness | Cost |
| Not having sex | 100% | $0 |
| Withdrawal/ Pulling Out | 73% effective | $0 |
| Breastfeeding a newborn baby | 99.5% for six months | $0 |
| Fertility awareness method* | 75% | $0 |
*The fertility awareness method predicts fertile and infertile times in your menstrual cycle.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is taken after sex. It's more effective the sooner it's taken, but can still help up to five days after unprotected sex.
- Plan B (the morning after pill) is 95% effective within the first 24 hours of sex and 89% for the next 48 hours. It costs about $20.
I can't afford birth control, what should I do?
- Apply for Fair Pharmacare.
- Check out a clinic in your community. Most clinics offer free or low-cost birth control.
Insider Tip
If you're on income assistance, the Mirena IUD is covered through Pharmacare.
If you're status Aboriginal, several birth control methods are covered through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.