Birth Control

Protection

It is important to discuss what you and your partner will do to prevent STIs and pregnancy before having sex. If you are going to have sex (oral, vaginal or anal), condoms (male or female) and/or oral dental damns are the best ways to prevent yourself from getting an STI. However, even if you are using these forms of protection, there is still a chance you could catch an STI because some STIs can only be prevented by abstinence and/or masturbation by yourself.

There are many different options you can choose to make sure you do not get pregnant before you are ready. Even if you are using protection (condoms) and birth control - every time you have sex there is a chance you may become pregnant. Condoms can fail in preventing an unplanned pregnancy if they tear during intercourse or if they slip off the penis before the penis completely out of contact with the vagina. Birth control pills can also sometimes fail if they are not taken correctly or if the woman is taking certain types of antibiotics.

Some of the common choices for birth control include condoms and prescription birth control medication. Birth control medication does not protect you from STIs, so you should still use a condom if you don't know your partner's sexual history or if you don't know if you might have an STI.

In Nunavut, condoms and birth control medication are always available at health centres, most often free of charge.  For other forms of birth control, you might have to wait for a doctor or other health care professional to visit your community.  Most forms of birth control are paid for through health insurance plans for lands claims beneficiaries.

Birth Control:

  • Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), also known as 'The Pill', are a prescription medication that must be taken every day at the same time. Oral contraceptives work by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg. These are 99.9% effective in stopping pregnancy if used correctly. Oral contraceptives do not protect against STIs so you will still need to use a condom.
  • Contraceptive patches stick to a female's skin and releases the hormones that stop the ovaries from releasing an egg. The patch must be changed once every seven days. The patches are worn for three weeks at a time followed by seven days off. It works just like oral contraceptive pills. It is 99% effective in stopping pregnancy, but does not protect against STIs so you will still need to use a condom.
  • Injections must be given every 12-13 weeks to be effective. The injection is called Depo-Provera© and it uses a hormone to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg, as well as thinning the lining of the uterus. It is 99.7% effective. However, it is not recommended for everyone as it can make your bones more fragile. Depo-Provera does not protect against STIs so you will still need to use a condom.
  • Vaginal Ring, called a NuvaRing©, is worn inside the vagina where it releases hormones to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg, as well as thinning the lining of the uterus. Females wear the ring for three weeks and have it out for one week. It is just as effective as the Pill, although it does not protect against STIs so a condom must be used.
  • Intra-uterine system, called Mirena©, provides birth control for up to five years. It is a T-shaped device that must be inserted by a health care professional into your uterus. There, it releases a hormone that thins the lining of the uterus and makes it harder for sperm to get in by thickening the lining of your cervix. It is more than 99% effective in stopping pregnancy, but it does not protect against STIs so a condom must be used.
  • Intra-uterine device provides up to five years of birth control. It is inserted into your uterus and works by destroying sperm completely. It is more than 99% effective in stopping pregnancy, but it does not protect against STIs so a condom must be used.
  • Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP), also known as the 'Morning After' pill or 'Plan B', can be used within 3 days of unprotected sex. It works by stopping the fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus.
  • The ECP is not an abortion pill - it prevents pregnancy.  It must be taken within 3 days of unprotected sex.  If the egg has already implanted on the lining of the uterus, the ECP will not work.  If you are already pregnant and you take an Emergency Contraceptive Pill there is no evidence that it will harm you or the fetus. The ECP does not protect against STIs so if you have had unprotected sex, you should make sure you are tested for STIs - especially if you are pregnant. This should not be used as a regular form of birth control.
  • You can get ECPs from your local health centre or from a drug store without a prescription. You do not need your parents' permission to get an Emergency Contraceptive Pill.

For more details about these different types of birth control, what to do if something happens to your birth control (for example, if you forget to take the pill, or if your NuvaRing falls out), and help choosing the best form of birth control for you, talk to your doctor/nurse or check out this link: