contraception

 We are fortunate in Canada to have many options when it comes to contraception. Your physician will be happy to discuss with you which option makes the most sense. Age, pre-existing health conditions, personal preferences and both short- and long-term fertility plans play a role in determining appropriate contraceptive choices.


BARRIER METHODS such as condoms are important adjuncts to any contraceptive, as they are the only method that helps to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.


LARC METHODS (long acting reversible contraception) have the lowest failure rate of all contraceptives and are the easiest to use. They come in both hormonal (progesterone) and non-hormonal (copper) options. In Canada our LARC methods include IUDs (intrauterine devices), IUS (intrauterine systems) and hormonal implants. Because LARC are the most effective contraceptive method but require skilled placement, we haveRapid Access IUD Centres of Excellence in IUD insertion in Canada. These are found on www.raice.ca. If you have a family physician or nurse practitioner, ask them to send a referral for you.

Hormonal implants that are inserted into the arm have been available globally since the 1990s. Nexplanon, the current available implant, was finally approbated by Health Canada in 2020 and is now available on Vancouver Island. Please contact the Vancouver Island Women’s Clinic for more information regarding Nexplanon insertion.


HORMONAL OPTIONS include oral hormonal contraceptives in the form of a daily pill (both estrogen containing and non-estrogen containing), a hormonal patch that is left on for one week (estrogen containing), and a vaginal ring that is left in for three weeks (estrogen containing) and an injection that lasts 12 weeks (progesterone only)


PERMANENT STERILIZATION, including tubal ligation and salpingectomy (complete tubal removal) are surgical procedures generally done via laparoscopy (keyhole camera surgery). Vasectomy is also considered permanent sterilization but is not performed by gynecologists.


LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA can be used by post-partum women who are exclusively breastfeeding and are breastfeeding or pumping consistently every four hours during the day and every six hours at night. It is no longer an effective method of contraception at six months post-partum nor prior to that if feeds are spaced out beyond the 4-6 hour window.


FERTILITY AWARENESS METHOD is the least effective method at preventing pregnancy and requires very regular and predictable menstrual cycles plus sexual partners fully committed to the proper use of the method.