Safer Sex - FAQs
Paying for the birth control pill
My boyfriend and I are both 18. I'm terrified of getting pregnant, so I want to start taking the birth control pill.
I can’t use my parents’ health plan to pay for the pills because then they’d know I’m sexually active. I'd feel totally ashamed if my parents knew, so I want to go to your Brampton clinic instead of my family doctor.
How much does it cost to get the prescription or the pills from your clinic? I’m sorry if I sound ignorant. My parents would never understand if I talked to them about this, but believe me, I’m taking precautions!
Kudos to you for being responsible and taking steps to prevent an unintended pregnancy. You don’t sound ignorant at all; in fact, you sound like a responsible young woman who’s taking control of her health!
Peel Public Health’s Healthy Sexuality Clinics provide the birth control pill (the Pill) for only $10.00 per package.
You must meet with a Peel Public Health nurse or doctor to get the Pill from a Peel Healthy Sexuality Clinic. Call 905-799-7700 to book an appointment at the clinic that’s most convenient for you or to see when our clinic locations are offering drop-in hours throughout the week.
When you arrive at the clinic you’ll be asked to complete some forms as you wait for your turn to speak with a Public Health Nurse or physician. You’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, phone number, previous birth control use, past health history and any known allergies on the forms. This information will help you and the nurse or doctor decide which type of birth control pill is best for you. The information you provide is confidential: the medical professional you speak with will NOT share it with anyone else without your permission. Watch a video on what to expect at a Healthy Sexuality Clinic to learn more.
Once you’ve discussed your health history and provided your information, the nurse or doctor will give you a prescription for the Pill. Then you can either buy a few packages from the clinic at a time or monthly as you need them. You can buy your pills with cash or debit card. You don’t need to make another appointment to buy more packs once you’ve received your prescription.
In the meantime, keep using condoms to prevent pregnancy AND sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). The Pill only protects you from an unintended pregnancy. It doesn’t protect you from STIs including HIV/AIDS. Call 905-799-7700 and ask for Sexual Health Information to learn more.
