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Birth Control Options

What:

Worn on the penis (male condom)

Worn inside vagina or anus (female condom)

Pro:

  • Protect against STIs and pregnancy
  • Available for males and females
  • No side effects
  • Latex-free condoms available for allergies

Con:

  • Improper use likely can lead to pregnancy or STIs
  • Must plan ahead to make sure you have one

Cost:

Free

Where to get it:

  • Local health centre
  • High schools, recreational centres (some communities)

What:

  • Medication a woman takes every day at the same time.
  • Many different types of pills.
  • Talk to a nurse or doctor to find the right one. 

Pro:

  • Prevents pregnancy
  • More regular menstrual cycle
  • Shorter, lighter periods
  • May help to prevent acne
  • Easy to use

Con:

  • Does not protect against STIs
  • Must take every day at the same time
  • Side effects possible

Cost:

FREE—Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR 

FREE with some health insurance companies

OR 

Around $28 to $52 per month

Where to get it:

Local health centre

What:

  • Sticky patch on the woman’s skin, like a band aid.
  • Change it once a week.

Pro:

  • Prevents pregnancy
  • Simple and easy to use
  • More regular menstrual cycle
  • Shorter, lighter periods

 

Con:

Does not protect against STIs

Side effects possible - skin irritation from the patch

Cost:

FREE for Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR

FREE with some health insurance companies

OR

About 43 $ per month

Where to get it:

Local health centre

What:

  • An injection a woman gets every 3 months

Pro:

  • Prevents pregnancy
  • Think about it only four times a year
  • May reduce menstrual bleeding over time

Con:

  • Does not protect against STIs
  • Need nurse’s appointment every three months
  • May cause irregular bleeding at the start

Cost:

FREE for Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR

FREE with some health insurance companies

OR

About $60 per shot

Where to get it:

Local health centre

What:

  • T-shaped device that goes in the uterus
  • Health care worker inserts it

Pro:

  • Protects against pregnancy
  • Lasts up to five years
  • May reduce menstrual bleeding over time

Con:

  • Does not protect against STIs
  • Must have a doctor or nurse insert and remove it
  • Side effects possible: cramps, backaches, irregular bleeding. For most women, these side effects are gone after 3-6 months.

Cost:

FREE for Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR

About $300 to $530 (one-time cost)

Where to get it:

Local health centre

What:

  • Flexible ring worn inside the vagina for three weeks

Pro:

  • Protects against pregnancy
  • May cause shorter and lighter periods
  • May clear up acne

Con:

  • Does not protect against STIs
  • May cause irregular bleeding
  • Side effects possible

Cost:

FREE for Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR

About $30 per month

Where to get it:

Local health centre

What:

  • Woman MUST take it within five days (120 hours) of having sex.
  • Most effective if taken within three days of having sex.

Pro:

  • Prevents pregnancy 

Con:

  • Side effects possible: nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, sore breasts, irregular period

Cost:

FREE for Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries (NLCB) and JBNQA Beneficiaries (Nunavik)

OR

About $22 to $40 

Where to get it:

Local health centre

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