We believe that everyone has the right to choose the birth control method that is right for them. Our role at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s Sexual Health Clinic is to:
- Help provide birth control options and education.
- Provide easier, low-cost access to certain types of birth control.
NOTE: Birth control methods including the pill, the patch, or even pulling out do not protect individuals against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The only way to prevent getting an STI is by not having sex or any sexual contact.
Wearing condoms is the best way to reduce the risk of getting an STI during sex. It is also important that you both get tested before you and your new partner start having sex. STI Testing is available at the Sexual Health Clinic. For more information about reducing the risk of STIs, please visit Sexual Health Ontario’s Prevention
What We Do
Birth Control Prescriptions
The TBDHU Sexual Health Clinic provides clients with a number of birth control options, including:
- Birth control pills
- Evra Patch
- Depo-Provera needle (“depo shot”)
- Inter-uterine system (Mirena)
- Inter-uterine device (Copper IUD)
- Nuvaring vaginal ring
- Nexplanon
All are sold at the Sexual Health Clinic, often at a lower cost than most pharmacies. Click here for the cost of birth control.
You will need a prescription for the TBDHU sexual health program even if you have a prescription from your own doctor or primary care provider.
To get a prescription, please contact the Sexual Health Clinic.
During your appointment, the clinic staff will take a brief medical history and explain the guidelines for buying birth control at the Health Unit. We’ll provide education about the different types of birth control methods available and discuss the best option for you.
All services and your appointments are fully confidential.
General information about birth control methods can be found on the SexandU.ca website.
Emergency Contraception
There are two types of emergency contraception to choose from in Canada: “Morning after pills” and the Copper intrauterine device (IUD).
Emergency contraceptives can help prevent unwanted pregnancy after sexual activity and must be taken or inserted within hours or days of unprotected intercourse. You may consider emergency contraception under several situations including:
- If you’ve had sex without using birth control.
- If the condom broke, tore, slipped off or was misused.
- If you’ve forgot to take your hormonal birth control (for example, you missed pills, forgot to put on or change your birth control patch or forgot to insert or change your contraceptive vaginal ring).
- If you are late in receiving your Depo-Provera shot.
- In cases of sexual assault.
For more information on which emergency contraception to choose, click here or call a TBDHU nurse at (807) 625-5900.
Emergency contraception pills should not be used as your main form of birth control.
Some “Morning After pills” are available from pharmacies. TBDHU offers all emergency contraception at low cost. Click here for the cost of birth control.
In Ontario, you do not need a prescription for emergency contraceptive pills (including Plan B, Norlevo, Option 2, and Next Choice), however they are less effective in clients weighing 165 to 176 pounds (75-80 kg), and are not effective in women over 176 pounds (80 kg). Clients who weigh 165 pounds or more are advised to ask a health professional for advice on alternative methods of emergency contraception. The UPA (ella) pill may be more effective for clients weighing over 165 pounds (75 kg). The UPA (ella) pill is available by prescription only. The faster you take the pill, the less likely you are to become pregnant.
If you choose to use an LNG pill, they tend to cost less at the TBDHU, however we strongly recommend that you go to a pharmacy rather than wait if the clinic is not open. Time is of the essence.
You can check TBDHU’s Sexual Health Clinic hours here
Other Forms of Birth Control
There are other forms of birth control available to you that are not offered through the Sexual Health Clinic. These include:
- Tubal ligation (“getting your tubes tied”; surgical procedure for women)
- Vasectomy (surgical procedure for men)
The last two are considered permanent methods of birth control (though they can be reversed in some cases). For more information, please talk to your doctor or other primary health-care provider. If you do not have a doctor, you can book an appointment with the Sexual Health Clinic to learn more about these options.
For More:
Contraception - SexandU | The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
For Further Information
Call the Sexual Health Clinic: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630