How Much Does Birth Control Cost in Canada?

Birth control, also known as contraception, works by preventing pregnancy in several ways. Typically, conception occurs after ejaculation when millions of sperm enter the vagina and make their way up to the uterus, where one may fertilize an egg released from the ovaries during ovulation. Different methods of birth control interrupt this process—by increasing the thickness of the cervical mucus to block sperm or by preventing ovulation altogether.

The importance of birth control is clear. However, its accessibility has long been hindered by financial barriers—until recently.

Here’s what you need to know about the cost of birth control in Canada and the recent changes to health coverage that have made it easier for more people to access contraception.

The importance of birth control

There are more than nine million Canadians of reproductive age and over 180,000 unintended pregnancies each year. Birth control reduces the risk of unplanned pregnancies, providing women with the ability to choose if or when they want to start a family.

Types of birth control methods

There are a few common types of birth control methods:

• • Hormonal methods (like the pill, patch, ring, injection, some intrauterine devices commonly known as IUDs, and the arm implant), which use hormones to block conception 
  • Non-hormonal methods (like condoms, copper IUDs, and diaphragms), which use devices to prevent conception and/or chemicals to kill sperm
  • Male and female sterilization methods use devices or minor surgical procedures to prevent conception

How much birth control costs

Each type of birth control has a different price tag and level of effectiveness. Here’s what a few methods can cost in Canada, without a prescription:

• Oral birth control pills: $300 per year
• Hormonal IUDs: $500 per unit
• Copper IUDs: $100 per unit
• Hormonal implant: $300 per unit
• Hormonal vaginal ring: $300 per year
• Contraceptive injection: $150 per year
• Emergency contraceptives: $30 per dose 

Things to consider when choosing a birth control method

Every method comes with a different price tag, level of effectiveness, and level of commitment required. Here’s what to consider when selecting the best contraception for you:

• Effectiveness: Birth control methods range in effectiveness. Effectiveness ranges from 87% with condoms and 93 to 99% with birth control pills, implants, and injections. 
• Potential side effects: Different methods come with different side effects that can vary in severity depending on the person. For example, copper IUDs can cause cramping and heavy or irregular periods. Progestogenic hormonal methods (Such as the progesterone-only pill, implant, or injection) can cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, breast tenderness, and headaches.
• Frequency: Some methods require more of a commitment than others — such as using them daily (like the pill) to ensure efficacy, while others only need to be used when having sex (condoms)
• Cost: They can cost as low as $12 a year for a copper IUD to as much as $332 for a female condom. But as of 2024, many birth control methods are free with a prescription (more on that below).
• Medications: If you have a medical condition or take specific prescriptions, not all birth control methods may be right or effective for you. Talk to a healthcare professional to learn more.
• When or if you want to have children: Some birth control methods, like certain IUDs, are a long-term solution to birth control since they are implanted for up to five years. A more short-term solution may be the better option if you’re looking to conceive within five years — it’s important to note that the injection contraception is the one contraception where fertility can take up to a year to return. Fertility tends to return within a few months with every other contraception. 

Why cost is a birth control barrier

The price of contraceptives often discourages people from accessing it or from opting for more effective methods. For example, the birth control pill costs about $25 per pack or $300 per year. IUDs (Intrauterine Devices) cost about $500 each and last about five years.

Without affordable access to effective contraception, more people are likely to have unintended pregnancies. Young people and people with low incomes have been disproportionately affected by this since they’re more likely not to have additional health coverage by an employer.

Affordable birth control options

The least expensive birth control option has always been condoms, which cost between $0 (many sexual health clinics and community health centres give them out for free) to $2 each. While condoms are only about 87% effective, they are the best and only way to reduce your risk of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted infections (aside from celibacy).

However, now that prescription birth control is free for Canadians with a valid health card, more effective forms of birth control are easily accessible.

Low-cost birth control clinics

Aside from Planned Parenthood, there are clinics across Canada that offer accessible care to those in need, including immigrants and refugees, people with STIs, people part of the 2SLGBTQ community, people who do sex work, and people without a valid health card. For example, Ontario’s Sexual Health Clinic provides birth control advice, inexpensive birth control, free condoms, STI and HIV testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, and counselling.

Tips for saving on birth control costs

As of this year, the best way to save on birth control costs in Canada is by getting a prescription from your family doctor. Contraceptives — including birth control pills, IUDs, implants, and the morning-after pill — are now free for any Canadian with a valid health card. 

Unfortunately, birth control (excluding condoms) is still not available over the counter, which means if you want free contraceptives, you need to visit a doctor and get a prescription. Other contraceptives (like vaginal rings and transdermal patches) are not covered at this time. 

If you’re among 6.5 million Canadians without access to a primary care provider, a primary care provider on Maple can help. Within the app, doctors and nurse practitioners can speak to you securely 24/7/365 over secure text or audio call to answer your questions about your options and, at their discretion, provide a prescription. 

Whether you’re exploring different methods or looking to understand the options available to you better, it’s important to stay informed about the resources that can help. Taking control of your reproductive health is now more accessible than ever, empowering more people to make decisions that suit their needs and lifestyle.

Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulty breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.