Birth Control

Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control has one or two types of hormones, can lower the chance of pregnancy, and must be prescribed by a health care provider.

It is a kind of birth control that has one or two hormones. It is taken daily.

  • It is a kind of birth control that has two hormones.
  • It is a patch that is put on the skin every three weeks, followed by one patch-free week.

Facts about... Transdermal patch

  • It is a kind of birth control that has two hormones.
  • It is a plastic ring you put in the vagina that stays in place for three weeks. On week four it is removed.

Other methods of birth control

  • An IUD is a T-shaped item put in womb (uterus).
  • It is a long-term type of birth control.
  • It is inserted by a health care provider.
  • This cannot be inserted at the sexual health clinic. You will need a referral to a health care provider.

  • Made of latex, polyurethane (non-latex) or lambskin.
  • It is put on penis before sex.
  • Used to lower chance of pregnancy and help protect against most infections.
  • Free at the sexual health clinics (latex and non-latex only).

Facts about... Male condom

  • Soft, loose-fitting polyurethane (non-latex) pouch.
  • It is put in the vagina before sex.
  • Used to lower chance of pregnancy and help protect against most infections.
  • Free at the sexual health clinics.

This means not having any type of sex or sex play with a partner.

Emergency contraception (ECP)

Emergency contraceptive pill, also known as the "morning after pill".

  • May be taken up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.
  • Stops ovulation (releasing an egg) temporarily.
  • Prevents fertilization of egg (sperm and egg making a baby).
  • Prevents implantation (egg attaching to uterus).
  • It is not an "abortion pill" and will not end a pregnancy.