Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal birth control regulates the change in hormone levels during a woman’s cycle by using different forms of synthetic hormones that mimic the estrogen and progesterone that is naturally produced in a woman’s body.

Oral Contraceptive Pill
Contraceptive Patch
Vaginal Ring
Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)
Injectable Contraception
Contraceptive Implant

Oral Contraceptive Pill

The oral contraceptive pill, also known as birth control pill, is suitable for most healthy women, regardless of age, and can be used long-term. It is one of the world’s most prescribed medications – over 100 million women across the globe rely on it. There are two kinds of oral contraceptives, the combined oral contraceptive (COC), which contains both estrogen and progestin, and the progestin-only contraceptive (POP). The Pill is available at pharmacies but requires a prescription.

How does it work?

The oral contraceptive pill works by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg, thickening the cervical mucus making it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg, and changing the lining of the uterus making implantation difficult.
The Pill is taken every day, ideally at the same time each day. Traditional pills are set up with pills for three weeks, followed by a pill-free week or a week of placebo pills.
Newer pill options have adjusted the regimen to provide effective contraception with lower doses of hormones and as little as two days of placebo to minimize hormone fluctuations and side effects.

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Contraceptive Patch

The contraceptive patch is a contraception method that has been available in Canada since January 2004. It is a 4 x 4 cm beige patch that sticks to a woman’s skin and continuously releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream.

How does it work?

The patch prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, but it may also thicken the cervical mucus (making it harder for sperm to get into the uterus) and make the uterine lining thin. Its method of action is very similar to the Pill.
Each patch is worn on the skin for seven days. One patch is worn each week for 3 weeks. The patch should be changed on the same day each week (called the “Patch Change Day”). The fourth week is patch-free, allowing a period to occur. The patch should never be off for more than seven days. Following the seven patch-free days, a new cycle is started when you apply a new patch on your Patch Change Day.
The patch can be worn on the buttocks, stomach, back or upper arms, but not on the breasts. It may help to change the location a bit each week. The patch should be applied to clean, dry skin. You should not use any creams or lotions near a patch you’re already wearing, or where you’ll be applying a new one. The patch is very “sticky”. You can exercise, shower, swim or go in a sauna or hot tub and it still sticks 98% of the time!

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Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible, clear plastic ring that measures 54mm in diameter and is inserted into a woman’s vagina where it slowly releases the hormones, estrogen and progestin, for three weeks.

How does it work?

The vaginal ring prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, but it may also thicken the cervical mucus (making it harder for sperm to get into the uterus) and make the uterine lining thin. Its method of action is very similar to the Pill.
The ring comes in only one size, and does not need to be in a particular position in the vagina to be effective. It is held in place by the walls of the vagina and a woman usually cannot feel the ring once it is in. The woman inserts and removes the ring herself and most women find this easy to do.
The ring is worn inside the vagina for three weeks, followed by a one-week ring-free interval allowing a period to occur. At the end of the ring-free week, the woman inserts another ring to begin a new cycle.

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Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)

Intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs) are long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods that are used by over 150 million women worldwide. They are the most effective forms of birth control available. IUCs are small T-shaped devices that are inserted in the uterus by a health care professional in a clinic. There are two types of intrauterine contraception: the Copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), which contains a progestin.

How does it work?

LNG-IUS: The small cylinder on the IUC contains the hormone levonorgestrel, which is slowly released. The lining of the uterus becomes thinner and the cervical mucus becomes thicker which makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus.
The IUC is inserted by a health professional, in a clinic. The procedure is fairly simple, does not require anaesthesia, and only takes a few minutes.
Depending on the device, the IUC can remain inserted for 3-10 years, before needing to be replaced.

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Need Contraceptive Assistance?

First, always ask your doctor or health care provider for more information, however, if you do not have a regular physician or they are unable to provide you with the help you need, there are options. The Rapid Access IUC Centres of Excellence (RAICE) website maintains a list of contraceptive clinics across Canada that can help answer your questions and open access to optimal contraception methods to meet your reproductive goals. Click here to access RAICE.

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Injectable Contraception

Injectable contraception, also known as the birth control shot, is a highly effective and reversible method of contraception. The injection contains a progestin, but does not contain estrogen. It is administered four times a year, so it may be a good choice for women who have trouble following a daily, weekly, or monthly routine.

How does it work?

The injection is given by a health-care professional in the muscle – commonly in the upper arm or buttocks, of a woman, every 12 to 13 weeks (four times a year).
The progestin hormone prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg and changes the lining of the uterus making implantation difficult.

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Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant is a contraceptive method that was approved for use in Canada in May 2020. It has been used in many other countries, including the United States, for many years. It is a 4 cm long and 2 mm wide flexible rod that sits just below the skin and continuously releases a progestin hormone into the bloodstream. It is inserted in the office by a health care provider using local anaesthetic to numb the skin and provides reversible and highly effective birth control for up to three years by preventing ovulation.

How does it work?

The implant is placed by a health care provider in the upper inner arm just below the skin. The procedure is fairly simple and takes only a few minutes. It is done using local anesthesia (“freezing”) to numb the skin. Once it is placed, the implant is not visible but can be felt just under the skin. The implant provides highly effective birth control for up to three years. At that time, the implant can either be removed or replaced.
The progestin hormone prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

It’s a plan – Helping you make decisions about contraception

With so many options available, making the right decisions about contraception can be overwhelming.

It’s a Plan was created to help you and your health care provider determine the contraception method that is best for you.

CLICK HERE

SOS - Stay on Schedule

Taking hormonal contraception means trying to stay on schedule with your doses,
which isn’t always easy to do.

The Stay on Schedule tool is your guide for knowing what to do if you miss a dose
or forget to take your birth control on time.

Click Here