Sexual Health

The Brant County Health Unit provides sexual health education, promotes healthy decisions, and provides a confidential comfortable environment for discussing sexual health. We provide a safe and inclusive space for all.

Please note, clinical services provided are confidential but not anonymous. We require identifiers (first name, last name and birth date) and contact information (phone number and address if applicable) for each client, however, this information and all personal health information collected is kept confidential as per the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

The Brant County Health Unit’s sexual health clinic offers the following services:

  • STI Testing (appropriate testing will be offered depending on risk review with nurse)
    • Urine screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
    • Throat and Rectal Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
    • Vaginal and Urethral Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
    • Herpes Virus swabs for active lesions/sores
    • Vaginal swabs for Trichomoniasis, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast
    • Pap tests for existing clients or clients without a family doctor
    • Blood Borne Infection (BBI) testing for Hep C, Syphilis and HIV
  • Free Treatment for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis
  • Mpox Vaccination
  • Plan B (emergency contraception)
    • Note: Plan B can also be purchased at pharmacies and grocery stores
  • Contraception options counselling
    • External referral to community for IUD or Nexplanon
  • Low-cost birth control for those under 35 years of age
  • Urine pregnancy testing
  • Pregnancy options counselling
  • Free condoms and barrier devices
  • Sexual health and safer sex practices counselling 

If you have a family doctor, please utilize them for sexual health services.

The following services are NOT provided by the sexual health clinic at this time:

  • Treatment of HPV (genital warts)
  • Herpes Virus blood testing
  • IUD insertion and removal
  • Nexplanon insertion and removal
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV
    • PrEP can be accessed through Hamilton PrEP Clinic or through gofreddie.com
    • PEP can be access through the emergency room at Brantford General Hospital
    • Some family doctors can provide prescriptions for PrEP and PEP

 
Family doctors, nurse practitioners and University/College Student Health Services can also provide sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) testing and treatment, pap tests and prescribe birth control.

If you have experienced sexual assault, our community’s best resource is the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (SADV) Treatment and Care program at Brantford General Hospital
 
For urgent matters, please seek your nearby urgent care centre or emergency department.

The work of the Sexual Health Nurse at GEDSB secondary schools includes one on one appointments offering:

  • STI screening and treatment
  • Plan B (emergency contraception)
  • Birth control, free condoms, and barrier devices
  • Urine pregnancy testing and pregnancy options counselling
  • Sexual health education and safer sex counselling

Schedule at schools

​Day Tuesday Wednesday Thursday​
AM​ ​Pauline Johnston ​Grand Erie Learning
AlternativesParis District High School
Tollgate Technical
North Park Vocational

​PM Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy Brantford Collegiate
Institute​​
Pauline Johnston
North Park Vocational

ECP, most commonly known as Plan B, is a pill taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The pill is most effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, but can be taken for up to five days later.

The contraceptive patch is a beige patch that sticks to the skin and continuously releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible, clear plastic ring that is inserted into the vagina where it slowly releases the hormones, estrogen and progestin, for three weeks at a time to prevent pregnancy.

IUDs are the most effective form of birth control available. IUDs are small T-shaped devices that are inserted in the uterus by a health care professional in a clinic. There are two types of intrauterine contraception: the Copper IUD and the hormonal IUD.

The birth control shot is an injection administered by a health care professional in a clinic four times per year. The injection contains a progestin hormone to prevent pregnancy.

The contraceptive implant is a very small rod that sits just below the skin and continuously releases a progestin hormone into the bloodstream. It is inserted in the office by a health care provider using local anaesthetic to numb the skin and provides reversible and highly effective birth control for up to three years by preventing ovulation.

ECP, most commonly known as Plan B, is a pill taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The pill is most effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, but can be taken for up to five days later.

STIs take the fun out of sex. Reduce your risk and protect yourself by using a condom every time.

Remember, not all STIs have signs or symptoms so when in doubt, get tested.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Resources:

Other Infections Resources: