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Toronto: Difference between revisions
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''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
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As the largest city in Canada, you will find an incredible range of health care options. You will find all major contraceptive methods, including condoms, pills, patches, shots, etc. in Toronto. While contraceptives are not subsidized by the Canadian health care system for all people, you can find lower-cost pills and IUDs (including insertion) at public sexual health clinics. You can purchase emergency contraception ("the morning after pill") at pharmacies or obtain it at sexual health clinics. There are no formal age restrictions but pharmacists can refuse to dispense EC to people who do not seem "mature." There are many public sexual health clinics that offer STI tests. While some only cover HIV, other clinics can test for a range of STIs, especially if you make an appointment rather than dropping in. There is an HPV vaccination program in place. You can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Maternity and paternity leave is covered under Employment Insurance (EI). Regarding abortions, you can receive them at hospitals, free-standing clinics or at Birth Control Sexual Health Centre. If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the costs are covered. If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can expect to pay $300-$900 for the procedure, but there are some financial assistance resources available. | |||
==Contraception== <!--T:4--> | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== <!--T:4--> | ||
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'''Note | '''General Note:''' There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control here]. | ||
=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:6--> | ||
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In Canada, you can find condoms sold in many stores. For other birth control options, like the pill, IUD, shot or implant, you will need a prescription from a physician or nurse. | |||
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Generally, Canada has a high rate of contraceptive use. It's estimated that over 70% of Canadian women (of reproductive age) use modern contraceptive methods, and about 22% of Canadian men have underwent male sterilization.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in | |||
Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> Yet some women still face difficulty when trying to access birth control. The Society of Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada found that Canadian women have less birth-control options than women in other developed countries.<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/canadians-feel-the-cost-of-health-policies-limiting-access-to-birth-control/article23883108/ It's time to give Canadian women more options when it comes to birth control, experts say]</ref> Furthermore, the Canadian Contraception Consensus report found that 15% of sexually-active Canadian women aren't using any form of birth control, and 20% are using birth control inconsistently. The largest barrier is probably cost. Contraceptives aren't free under Canada's universal health care plan, and affordable birth control options are typically found through the public sexual health clinics (which can have limited drug choices, limited opening hours and long wait times). It should be stressed, however, that these clinics do provide affordable options and are an invaluable resource in Canada.<ref>[http://www.metronews.ca/life/health/2016/01/11/canada-birth-control-policy-needs-overhaul.html Canada lags behind other nations in birth control access, and it's costing us]</ref> | |||
=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:9--> | ||
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* | * You can buy condoms online at [http://www.topcondomscanada.com/ Top Condoms Canada], [http://idealcondoms.ca/ IdealCondoms.ca] and [https://www.undercovercondoms.com/ Undercover Condoms]. | ||
* | * For low-cost birth control (e.g. condoms, pills, IUD, etc), you can visit a public sexual health clinic. There are about 14 of these public clinics, including Jane Street Clinic, Black Creek Community Health Centre, Scarborough Sexual Health Clinic, etc. Some are drop-in and some require scheduling an appointment. Here is a [http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=30865e67bbee0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD complete list] of all these clinics in Toronto. | ||
* | * Birth control rings, like Nuvaring, are available in Toronto. You can get them at [http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/programs-and-services/bcbc/ Women's College Hospital - Bay Centre for Birth Control] and many other places. | ||
* | * If you want to get an IUD at public clinics, you'll generally have a choice between Liberté UT 380 and Flexi-T, which cost around $60-65 for the procedure. Some clinics also let you purchase Mirena at a pharmacy and they will then perform the insertion for you at the clinic. | ||
* | * If you want to get an IUD at a private clinic, one recommendation is [http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/programs-and-services/bcbc/ Women's College Hospital - Bay Centre for Birth Control]. You buy the IUD at their pharmacy and then they do the insertion. They charge around the following prices: Mirena: $363.40. Jaydess: $290.06. Mona Lisa: $57.70. They're known to be sex-positive and a good experience overall. As someone wrote, "You can go during walk-in hours or make an appointment. You'll see a nurse and they talk to you about all your options, side effects, pregnancy rates, etc. It's run by Planned Parenthood, so there's no selling happening and no pressure that some doctors may have, or any pressures about not having sex etc etc (they're a "sex-positive atmosphere.") The nurses make you feel so comfortable and are honest and compassionate."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/362rqd/best_place_to_get_an_iud_in_toronto/?st=ix49re6c&sh=15fa2b7f Best place to get an IUD in Toronto?]</ref> You can also go Planned Parenthood Toronto. You buy the IUD at the pharmacy and then Planned Parenthood does the insertion. Here are their rates: Mirena: $380. Jaydess: $306. Mona Lisa: $54-63 | ||
=== | ===Costs=== <!--T:11--> | ||
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While Canada has a universal health care system, it does not offer free contraceptives. You can get lower-cost birth control at the public sexual health clinics (for example: birth control pills ranging from free to $10/per month supply, and IUDs for $60). If you get IUDs at a private clinic, you can expect to pay around $55 (for Mona Lisa), $290-$300 (for Jaydess) or $360-380 (for Mirena). | |||
==Contraception | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== <!--T:13--> | ||
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''' | '''Important Notes:''' Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC '''as soon as possible''' after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. | ||
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