Contraception (Birth Control)
Also called: birth control, the pill, morning-after pill, emergency contraception, contraceptive patch, contraceptive ring
Hormonal birth control and emergency contraception. BC pharmacists can prescribe contraception, and most prescription contraceptives are free for BC residents.
Quick answer
- What it is
- Contraception is any method used to prevent pregnancy — including the pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection, IUDs, implants and emergency contraception.
- Common symptoms
- Not a condition with symptoms — a pharmacist will ask about your health history, medications and preferences, and check your blood pressure, to find a method that suits you.
- How it's treated
- Options include combined hormonal methods (pill, patch, ring), progestin-only pills, the injection, IUDs and implants, and emergency contraception.
- Who can help
- BC pharmacists can assess you and prescribe contraception — and since April 2023, many prescription contraceptives have been free for BC residents enrolled in MSP.
- Warning signs
- While on hormonal birth control, sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, a painful swollen leg, a severe headache or vision changes need emergency care.
A pharmacist can assess Contraception (Birth Control) in BC Pill4Me pharmacists in Chilliwack can help.
Book a pharmacist assessmentWhat is contraception?
Since June 2023, BC pharmacists have been able to assess and prescribe contraception without a doctor's visit. A pharmacist will go through your medical history, current medications and what matters to you — how often you want to think about it, side effects, periods — and check your blood pressure before recommending a method.
Since April 1, 2023, BC PharmaCare has covered the full cost of many prescription contraceptives for BC residents enrolled in MSP, including many pills, the patch, the ring, the injection, IUDs and implants. If a product is only partly covered, a pharmacist can often suggest a fully covered equivalent.
Some methods, such as IUDs and implants, can be prescribed and dispensed at the pharmacy but must be inserted by a doctor, nurse practitioner or clinic. Emergency contraception pills do not need a prescription.
Common symptoms
Reasons people come to a pharmacist about contraception include:
- Starting birth control for the first time
- Renewing a prescription that has run out
- Switching methods because of side effects or a change in needs
- Needing emergency contraception after unprotected sex or a missed pill
- Questions about how to use a method or what to do after missing a dose
Having these symptoms does not confirm a diagnosis — they overlap with other conditions. Assessment by a pharmacist, physician or nurse practitioner is what establishes the cause.
Causes and risk factors
What causes it
- Hormonal methods prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus
- Copper IUDs prevent fertilization and can also be used as emergency contraception
- Emergency contraception pills delay ovulation and work best the sooner they are taken
What raises the risk of developing it
- Combined hormonal methods are not suitable for everyone — smoking over age 35, migraine with aura, a history of blood clots, some heart conditions and uncontrolled high blood pressure are important to discuss
- Some medications, including certain epilepsy and HIV medications, reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception
- Hormonal contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
Risk factors make a condition more likely across a population — they are not causes, and having several does not mean you will develop it.
When should I seek medical care?
Seek urgent or emergency care
- Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath
- Pain and swelling in one leg
- A sudden severe headache, vision changes, weakness or trouble speaking
- Severe abdominal pain, especially with a positive pregnancy test
If you are unsure how urgent something is, call 8-1-1 to speak with a HealthLink BC nurse at any hour, or 911 in an emergency.
Worth asking a pharmacist
- Starting, renewing or switching the pill, patch, ring or injection
- Emergency contraception after unprotected sex or a contraceptive mistake
- Questions about missed pills, side effects or interactions with other medications
- Finding out which contraceptives are fully covered by PharmaCare
See a physician or nurse practitioner
- IUD or implant insertion or removal
- A medical history that makes hormonal contraception complicated, such as a past blood clot or migraine with aura
- Bleeding between periods that continues or is unusual for you
- STI testing, or a possible pregnancy
How is contraception treated?
Lifestyle measures
- Set a daily reminder for the pill, or choose a longer-acting method if daily pills are hard to remember
- Use condoms as well to protect against sexually transmitted infections
- Keep emergency contraception at home in case it's needed — it works best taken as soon as possible
Medication
Options include combined hormonal pills, patches and rings; progestin-only pills; the contraceptive injection; hormonal and copper IUDs; and implants. Emergency contraception includes levonorgestrel pills, ulipristal pills, and a copper IUD inserted by a clinician. The best choice depends on your health, other medications and preferences, which the pharmacist will go through with you.
Monitoring
A pharmacist will check your blood pressure when starting a combined hormonal method and at renewal. Most side effects such as spotting or nausea settle within the first three months; if they don't, a different method may suit you better.
This is a general overview, not a treatment plan. What is right for you depends on your history, your other conditions and everything else you take — that is a conversation with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Can a BC pharmacist assess contraception?
Yes — this is within pharmacist scope in BC
Contraception is part of BC's Minor Ailments and Contraception Service. A pharmacist at Pill4Me can assess you, prescribe hormonal contraception, and dispense it the same day — no doctor's appointment needed. Many prescription contraceptives are free for BC residents enrolled in MSP.
Important limits and when you will be referred
- IUDs and implants can be prescribed and dispensed, but must be inserted by a doctor, nurse practitioner or clinic
- Some medical histories — such as a past blood clot, migraine with aura, or smoking over 35 — mean a combined hormonal method isn't safe, and the pharmacist will suggest alternatives or refer you
- Contraception does not test or treat sexually transmitted infections; you will be referred for testing if needed
Assessments are done in the pharmacy — walk in, or book a pharmacist assessment at Pill4Me.
Coverage in British Columbia
BC PharmaCare covers the pharmacist assessment for eligible BC residents with a Personal Health Number. Since April 1, 2023, many prescription contraceptives — including many pills, the patch, ring, injection, IUDs and implants — are fully covered for BC residents enrolled in MSP. Emergency contraception pills are also covered when dispensed by the pharmacy. We will tell you if a product isn't fully covered and suggest a free equivalent where one exists.
Coverage depends on the medication, indication, PharmaCare plan and, for some medications, Special Authority requirements — see BC PharmaCare.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist prescribe birth control in BC?
Is birth control free in BC?
Do I need a prescription for the morning-after pill?
Can I get an IUD from a pharmacist?
Related reading
A pharmacist can assess Contraception (Birth Control) in BC
This is one of the conditions BC pharmacists can assess and prescribe for — no doctor's appointment needed, and BC PharmaCare covers the assessment fee for eligible residents whether or not you leave with a prescription. If the assessment suggests you need a physician instead, we will tell you that.
Pill4Me Pharmacy is at 5625 Promontory Rd Unit 101, Chilliwack, BC. We deliver free to Chilliwack, Sardis, Promontory, Vedder and Yarrow, and you can reach a pharmacist directly at 604-705-3644.