Birth Control Options in Canada: Comparing the Pill, Patch, IUD, and More

Many options exist for birth control in Canada. There are pills, a patch, the ring, the injection, the implant, two types of intrauterine device (IUD), and several non-hormonal methods. Some come under more than one brand name, and cost and coverage vary from one method to the next.

While the large range of choice is a good thing, it can make weighing the options harder than it needs to be. Each birth control option works in its own way and has specific considerations for every individual. Furthermore, when it comes to accessing birth control, some methods are suitable for an online doctor to prescribe, while others require an in-person appointment.

In this guide, we cover the main types of birth control available in Canada. We’ll explore how each one works, how well it prevents pregnancy, what it costs, the side effects worth knowing, and how to get started.

An Overview of Birth Control Options in Canada

Birth control, or contraception, falls into two broad groups in Canada: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal methods use either a synthetic estrogen and progestin together (or sometimes a progestin on its own) to stop the ovaries releasing an egg. Non-hormonal birth control, led by the copper IUD and barrier methods such as condoms, works by blocking sperm rather than changing your hormones.

Birth control methods also differ in how long they last. An IUD or implant is fitted once and works for years (you’ll see these called long-acting reversible contraception, or LARC), while the pill, patch, ring, and injection depend on regular, consistent use. 

Most birth control in Canada is prescription-only, though a few options, such as condoms, the contraceptive sponge, and the morning-after pill, are available over the counter. Effectiveness, cost, and coverage vary from one method to the next, so be sure to evaluate each option as it relates to your individual circumstances.

Types of Birth Control Available in Canada

Below is an overview of each main type of birth control available in Canada. Where we have a detailed write-up on a specific option, we’ve linked to its dedicated article on our website.

Combined Birth Control Pills

Combined birth control pills (usually just called “the pill”) contain both an estrogen and a progestin. They are the most commonly prescribed form of contraception in Canada. 

Most combined pills are built on the same few hormone combinations, which is why one pill can appear under several brand names. The better-known options include:

• Drospirenone pills (Yaz, Yasmin, Mya): a low-dose group that’s also approved to help with moderate acne. Our guide to Yaz, Yasmin, and Mya covers how the three compare.
• Lolo: the lowest-estrogen combined pill in Canada, worth considering when the goal is to keep the hormone dose to a minimum. See our Lolo article.
• Levonorgestrel pills (Alesse and Alysena): among the most familiar low-dose pills, and clinically the same medication as each other — read more in our Alesse and Alysena guides.
• Desogestrel pills (Marvelon, Mirvala, Linessa): another widely used low-dose family.
• Extended-cycle pills (Seasonale, Seasonique): taken to give fewer scheduled periods across the year.

A handful of combined pills also carry a Health Canada approval to treat moderate acne alongside preventing pregnancy, including Alesse and Yaz.

One product often searched as a birth control pill, Diane-35, is a separate case. In Canada, Diane-35 is approved to treat severe acne rather than as a contraceptive, even though it prevents pregnancy while taken. Diane-35 also carries a higher risk of blood clots than most pills, so it’s generally kept for when other acne treatments haven’t worked.

The Progestin-Only Pill (Mini-Pill)

The progestin-only pill — also called the mini-pill or POP — uses a progestin on its own, without any estrogen. That makes it a useful option for people who are advised to avoid estrogen, such as those who get migraines with aura or who are breastfeeding. 

Two progestin-only pills are available in Canada:

• Slynd, which contains drospirenone and allows a more forgiving window if a pill is taken late.
• Movisse, an older norethindrone pill that needs to be taken within the same few hours each day to stay reliable.

The Birth Control Patch

The birth control patch is a small adhesive patch worn on the skin that releases an estrogen and a progestin. It uses the same hormone pairing as the combined pill, in a weekly rather than a daily format. 

In Canada the patch is sold as Evra. You apply a fresh patch once a week for three weeks, then have a patch-free week. Because Evra delivers the same hormones as the combined pill, it comes with broadly similar benefits and cautions.

Here’s a detailed overview of the Evra birth control patch in Canada.

The Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible ring you place in the vagina yourself, where it releases an estrogen and a progestin. In Canada, the ring is sold as NuvaRing. 

One birth control ring stays in for three weeks, and is then removed for a ring-free week before a new one goes in. 

Like the pill and the patch, the ring is a combined method you manage at home, so an online doctor can prescribe it and send it to your pharmacy.

The Birth Control Shot (Injection)

The birth control shot is an injection of a progestin (medroxyprogesterone) given every three months. In Canada, the shot is sold as Depo-Provera. Being progestin-only, the injection can suit people who need to avoid estrogen. 

Two things set Depo-Provera apart: it’s the one method clearly linked to modest weight gain for some people, and it can take up to around a year for fertility to return after the last dose.

The Contraceptive Implant

The contraceptive implant, sometimes called the birth control implant, is a small, flexible rod placed under the skin of the upper arm, where it releases a progestin for up to three years. In Canada, the implant is sold as Nexplanon. 

A healthcare professional inserts and later removes the Nexplanon implant during a short in-person appointment. A progestin-only method with no estrogen, the implant is among the most effective options available, and fertility returns quickly once it’s taken out.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small device placed inside the uterus by a healthcare professional, where it prevents pregnancy for several years. 

Two kinds of IUDs are available in Canada — hormonal and copper:

• Hormonal IUDs release a progestin and are sold as Mirena (which lasts up to eight years) and Kyleena (up to five). 
• Copper IUDs are hormone-free and come in several brands, including Mona Lisa and Flexi-T. Copper IUDs work by making the uterus an environment where sperm can’t survive.

Non-Hormonal and Barrier Methods

Beyond the copper IUD, several other non-hormonal birth control options prevent pregnancy without affecting your hormones.

Condoms are the most widely used barrier method, and they’re the only method that also protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Other barrier methods include the diaphragm and the contraceptive sponge, which are used with spermicide to block sperm at the cervix.

Fertility-awareness methods involve tracking the days of the menstrual cycle to avoid sex during the fertile window. They use no hormones or devices, but they rely on careful, consistent tracking and are generally less effective at preventing pregnancy than hormonal methods or IUDs.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex to reduce the chance of pregnancy. There are three options available in Canada:

• The morning-after pill (Plan B and generics): levonorgestrel, available over the counter and most effective within three days.
• ella (ulipristal acetate): a prescription pill that can work up to five days after.
• The copper IUD: the most effective option, placed by a healthcare professional up to about a week afterward, and then staying in as ongoing birth control.

Timing matters with emergency birth control. Therefore, it’s worth promptly speaking to a pharmacist or doctor (online or in person) who can talk through your options.

How Effective Is Birth Control?

Researchers describe the effectiveness of birth control in the context of two patterns of use:

• Perfect use — when the method is used exactly as directed, every time (a standard often only achieved in supervised research trials). 
• Typical use — real life, with the occasional missed pill or late patch (what might be considered a standard pattern of use for the average person).

Over a year of typical use of the pill, patch, or ring, about 9 in 100 people become pregnant. With an IUD or implant, less than 1 in 100 become pregnant.

In general, birth control is very effective when it’s taken as prescribed. However, it only works when you remember to use it, which is why the methods that don’t require regular administration tend to work significantly better in real-world settings.

How to Get Birth Control in Canada

Most birth control in Canada needs a prescription. To discuss your options, you can see a family doctor or nurse practitioner. In most provinces, a pharmacist can now also prescribe hormonal contraception. 

Seeing an online doctor is a convenient option for birth control. They can assess you and provide a prescription for most methods without an in-person visit.

A few birth control options don’t need a prescriber at all. Condoms, the contraceptive sponge, and the levonorgestrel morning-after pill are all sold over the counter at pharmacies.

How Much Does Birth Control Cost in Canada?

What you pay for birth control depends on the method you choose and your coverage, so treat any figure as a rough guide and confirm the current price with your pharmacy. 

As broad ranges:

• The pill, patch, and ring generally cost up to around $25 a month
• The injection runs up to about $180 a year
• An IUD or implant is a larger one-time cost — roughly $75 to $500 for the device, plus any fee to place it
• Emergency contraception usually falls between $10 and $50

Coverage is changing quickly. Under Canada’s national pharmacare plan, prescription contraception is starting to be covered at no cost, though exact coverage depends on where you live and how far the rollout has progressed. 

Birth Control Side Effects

Most people use hormonal birth control without any serious trouble. However, side effects of birth control are common in the first few months as your body adjusts.

The most commonly reported side effects of hormonal birth control include:

• Irregular bleeding or spotting between periods
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Changes in sex drive

These effects tend to ease within the first few cycles. Irregular bleeding is the most common reason people switch methods, and it’s especially likely with progestin-only options such as the mini-pill, the injection, and the hormonal IUD.

Large research reviews haven’t found that the combined pill or patch causes meaningful weight gain. The clear exception is the injection, which is linked to a small increase in body weight for some people.

The most serious risk with birth control applies to methods that contain estrogen (the combined pill, patch, and ring), which carry a small increase in the risk of blood clots. The increase is small in absolute terms, and lower than the clot risk from pregnancy itself.

Who Should Avoid Estrogen-Containing Birth Control

Combined hormonal birth control methods aren’t suitable for everyone. Doctors usually recommend an estrogen-free option for people who:

• Smoke and are over 35
• Have had a blood clot or have a clotting disorder
• Get migraines with aura
• Have had breast cancer or another hormone-sensitive cancer
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or certain heart or liver conditions

Reviewing your health history for factors like these is a key reason birth control is prescribed by a professional rather than picked off a shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Control

What’s the best birth control?

There’s no single best method of birth control. The right option depends on your health, personal priorities, and how your body responds. If effectiveness is the top concern, the long-acting options (the IUD and the implant) come out ahead, because they don’t rely on remembering a daily pill. But the best method is really the one you’ll use consistently and feel comfortable with, which is a decision worth speaking to a doctor about.

Does birth control help with acne?

Combined pills that contain both estrogen and a progestin often improve acne over a few cycles. Some contraceptive pills, including Alesse and Yaz, carry a Health Canada approval to treat moderate acne. If acne is a main concern for you, it’s worth raising with your doctor, who can weigh a combined pill against other acne treatments.

How long does birth control take to work?

If you begin in the first few days of your period, the pill, patch, and ring protect you right away. If starting at another point in your cycle, you’ll usually need a backup method like condoms for the first seven days. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what applies to the method and timing you choose.

Can you get birth control without a prescription in Canada?

Condoms, the contraceptive sponge, and the levonorgestrel morning-after pill are sold over the counter. Most other methods, such as the pill, patch, ring, injection, implant, and IUDs, need a prescription or a procedure. An online doctor can generally prescribe any birth control method that doesn’t require an in-person visit.

Does birth control cause infertility?

Hormonal birth control does not reduce long-term fertility. Your cycle can take a little while to settle back into its usual pattern after you stop, and the injection in particular can delay the return to fertility by several months, but your ability to conceive isn’t affected by having been on birth control.

Can you skip or stop your period on the pill?

With many combined contraceptive pills, skipping the hormone-free days and starting the next pack early can delay or skip a bleed, and some pills are designed to give fewer periods across the year. This is generally safe, but it’s worth running by your doctor first. A lighter or missed bleed while you’re taking the pill correctly usually isn’t a cause for concern.

Choosing the Right Birth Control

With so many birth control methods available in Canada, including pills, the patch, the ring, the injection, the implant, and IUDs, it can be hard to know which option is right. For some people, what matters most is effectiveness or convenience, while for others, avoiding estrogen, cost, ease of access, or other factors are primary considerations.

In truth, there’s rarely a single right answer for birth control. It’s common to try one method and adjust over time, and what is the best fit at one stage of life may not be ideal at another. What matters most is landing on something you can use consistently and feel good about right now, which is a decision that’s usually easiest to make with advice and support from a doctor.

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