With so many options available, making the right decisions about contraception can be a little overwhelming.
It's a plan was created to help you and your health care provider determine the method that's best for you.
View all types of contraception methods available in Canada.
Notice
Welcome to It’s a Plan ("It’s a Plan"). It’s a Plan is an online health information tool provided by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (“SOGC”), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It’s a Plan is designed to help individuals and their health care providers decide which contraception method is right for them.
Medical Disclaimer
It’s a Plan does not provide health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. It’s a Plan is not a health care service of any kind and all information is provided for educational purposes only.
It’s a Plan is not intended to replace your relationship with your health care provider and is not a substitute for professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It’s a Plan is designed to educate you about contraceptive methods and to help your health care provider advise you on contraceptive choices. You should always speak to a health care provider for diagnosis, treatment or other specific medical advice.
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, see a health care provider as soon as possible.
If you are 16 years old or older and have never had a period, you should consult a health care provider to understand why you have not yet had a period.
Special Medical Conditions
If you have been diagnosed with or have experienced a special medical condition, such as the ones set out below, It’s a Plan may not be right for you. You should consult with your health care provider regarding contraception if any of the following apply to you:
Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability
Individual circumstances vary and the information provided by It’s a Plan will not apply to everyone. It’s a Plan is designed for use in Canada. SOGC does not warrant or represent that any particular contraceptive method is safe, appropriate or effective for you.
SOGC assumes no liability or responsibility for the use of any information provided by It’s a Plan, or for your reliance on this information in place of specific medical advice from a health care provider.
Although the health information content provided by It’s a Plan is reviewed and approved by health care professionals, the information provided by It’s a Plan may include inaccuracies or errors. You should not act or rely upon any information from It’s a Plan without seeking advice from a health care provider. SOGC does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information provided by It’s a Plan and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, SOGC disclaims all liability for any errors or other inaccuracies in the information provided by It’s a Plan.
All information is provided “as is” by It’s a Plan for educational purposes only without warranty of any kind.
In no event shall SOGC be liable for any damages of any kind, including but not limited to direct, indirect, special, consequential or other monetary damages in connection with your use of or reliance upon information provided by It’s a Plan.
It’s a Plan asks questions and provides information about human sexuality, reproductive organs and gender identification. If you find such content undesirable or objectionable, please do not use It’s a Plan.
Online Tool/Survey Disclaimer and Privacy Notice
It’s a Plan is an online tool that asks questions about your health, medical history, and lifestyle. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete. Based on your responses, It’s a Plan uses an algorithm to recommend the optimal contraceptive choices for you. Your participation in It’s a Plan is voluntary and you may choose not to participate or to withdraw at any time.
Your answers will be submitted anonymously. It’s a Plan does not collect information that will personally identify you such as your name, username or email address. It’s a Plan does not ask for and does not want you to provide identifying information of any kind. Please do not provide identifying information to It’s a Plan.
The anonymous data collected by It’s a Plan, such as group averages and the types of contraceptives listed, may be used by SOGC in future publications for scholarly and educational purposes. These publications will not contain information that will identify you.
If you have any questions about It’s a Plan, please contact us at info@sogc.com.
ELECTRONIC CONSENT
Clicking on the “yes” button below means that you have read, understand and agree to abide by this Medical Disclaimer, Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability, Online Tool/Survey Disclaimer and Privacy Notice.
Clicking on the “no” button below means that you cannot continue with the quiz and will be redirected to the home page.
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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 provider in a clinic. There are two types of intrauterine contraception: the Copper intrauterine device (copper IUD) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (hormonal IUD), which contains a progestin.
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Male sterilization by vasectomy is a permanent surgical procedure to close or block the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm to the penis). Since it is permanent, this option is especially for those who have decided that their family is complete or that they don’t want to have children. Compared to tubal ligation, vasectomy is safer, more effective, less expensive, and less invasive.
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Female sterilization by tubal ligation is a permanent surgical procedure where the two fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, get disconnected. Tubal ligation is considered permanent, because reversal is costly, difficult, and not guaranteed.
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Male condoms are inexpensive, readily available without a prescription, and used only at the time of sexual activity. They are worn over the penis during sexual intercourse or oral sex and they come in a variety of sizes, thinness, textures, and colours/flavours. They are also available with a wide selection of lubricants on the condom to help enhance sensitivity and pleasure for both partners (i.e. warming/tingling sensations, premium silicone-base, climax-control).
Most condoms are made of latex, but non-latex condoms are also available in polyurethane and polyisoprene. Latex, polyurethane and polyisoprene condoms are also effective for preventing most sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting, seamless nitrile polymer sheath containing two flexible rings, one at each end. It is inserted into the vagina before sex and works by holding in the sperm, preventing it from entering the vagina.
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The diaphragm is a cap, made of latex or silicone and nylon, that covers the cervix and prevents sperm from entering. The diaphragm should always be used with a water-based gel after each act of intercourse to immobilize or kill sperm.
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The cervical cap is a deep silicone cap that fits against the cervix and prevents sperm and bacteria from entering.
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The contraceptive sponge is a small, disposable, polyurethane foam device that is placed in the vagina. It fits over the cervix to provide a physical barrier to prevent sperm from entering. The sponge also contains a spermicide, which helps to absorb and trap sperm.
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A chemical called nonoxynol-9 comes in the form of cream (only for use with diaphragms), gel, foam, film, or suppository. By inserting spermicide in front of the cervix, in the vagina, it destroys sperm on contact. Spermicides should be used along with another method of contraception, such as a condom, because alone they are not highly effective.
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Withdrawal, also known as the pull out method, is an attempt to avoid having any sperm ejaculated into the vagina or on the vulva during sex. The male withdraws his penis from the vagina and away from the external genitalia of the female partner prior to ejaculation. Both partners must be in agreement on this method, and must be prepared to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, which can occur in 1 out of 5 users.
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Ovulation is the time during a woman’s menstrual cycle when she is most likely to get pregnant. Conception can occur when sexual intercourse takes place during the fertile window, from 5 days before to 1 day following ovulation. Fertility awareness methods rely upon avoiding unprotected sex during this fertile window.
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Abstinence refers to not having sex. There are many forms of sexual abstinence, but in terms of using this as a method of contraception, it means avoiding vaginal intercourse. This type of abstinence can be effective for preventing unwanted pregnancy while allowing a couple to be involved in other forms of closeness, but it has a significant failure rate.
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Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is used by a woman who has just given birth and is exclusively breastfeeding. This method is highly effective for the first six months after childbirth, provided the woman breastfeeds the baby at least every four hours during the day and every six hours through the night, and that her menstrual period has not yet returned. After six months fertility may return at any time.
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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 provider in a clinic. There are two types of intrauterine contraception: the Copper intrauterine device (copper IUC) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (hormonal IUC), which contains a progestin.
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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.
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The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible, clear plastic ring that measures 54 mm in diameter and is inserted into a woman’s vagina where it slowly releases the hormones, estrogen and progestin, for three weeks.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 4cm long and 2mm 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?
How effective is it?
| Failure rate during first year of use | The contraceptive implant is one of the most effective methods of contraception available |
| Typical use failure rate | 5 out of 10,000 women (or 0.5 out of 1000 women) |
| Perfect use failure rate | 5 out of 10,000 women (or 0.5 out of 1000 women) |
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Emergency contraception is not to be used as a regular method of birth control but, if needed, it can help prevent unplanned pregnancies.
If you have had unprotected sex and you already know that you do not want to get pregnant, emergency contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancies if used as soon as possible.
“Morning after pills” are the original method of emergency contraception. In the past, morning after pills were regular birth control pills, taken in higher doses, 12 hours apart. There are better and more effective methods available on the market today, with fewer side effects.
LNG-EC pills (Plan B, Norlevo, Option 2, and Next Choice) all contain a progestin called levonorgestrel. These pills are available in Canadian pharmacies without a prescription. The effectiveness of LNG-EC pills is highest when taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex and declines the later they are taken; but they can be taken up to five days later. LNG-EC pills will not harm the fetus, should it not be able to prevent the pregnancy. A high body weight (a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25) may decrease the effectiveness of these pills, so it is a good idea to speak with a health care professional to make sure these pills are the right choice for you.
A second morning after pill, UPA-EC (Ulipristal acetate 30 mg, ella®), is now available in Canada, currently by prescription only. It is recommended for its greater effectiveness over a longer period of time after unprotected sex (up to 5 days) and appears to be equally as effective for those who have a higher BMI.
Emergency contraception is not to be used as a regular method of birth control but, if needed, it can help prevent unplanned pregnancies.
If you have had unprotected sex and you already know that you do not want to get pregnant, emergency contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancies if used as soon as possible.
The most effective method of emergency contraception is a copper intrauterine contraceptive (copper IUC), which is inserted by a doctor within 7 days of unprotected intercourse. While currently available by prescription only, the copper IUC provides ongoing secure birth control.
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