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Home / Answered Questions / Hi I’m curious about going on Birth control. How does it work and whats the procedure? Also, is it 100% effective and is it possible to skip my period with it?

Hi I’m curious about going on Birth control. How does it work and whats the procedure? Also, is it 100% effective and is it possible to skip my period with it?

Hi,

Thanks for writing.

There are lots of different options when it comes to birth control. Some methods of birth control allow you to “skip your period” and other methods allow people to keep their period as normal.

No birth control method is 100% effective, but many are between 90-99% effective, which is still very effective! 

The process for getting birth control (no matter what kind you choose) usually means going to a clinic and getting a prescription from a doctor or nurse. If you have a family doctor that you feel comfortable talking about birth control with then you can see them. Other options include going to a walk-in clinic, youth clinic, or Options for Sexual Health clinic. Options for Sexual Health clinics specialize in birth control and have the most kinds of birth control available.

To find an Options for Sexual health clinic near you check out their Clinic Finder.

Options for Sexual Health also has a phone line you can call to talk through various birth control methods. The phone line is private and confidential, here is the information for it:

Call us at 1-800-SEX-SENSE (1-800-739-7367) throughout BC* or 604-731-7803 in the Lower Mainland. Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-9pm.

Generally the kinds of birth control that allow you to skip periods are: Birth control pills and IUD with hormonal component, but there are multiple options for kinds of birth control pills and hormonal IUDs.

Hope this helps!

Please feel free to submit another question if you need

Health Nurse