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Sexual Health Centres

Due to COVID-19, limited services are available

We're unable to see or book appointments for all clients. Testing for sexually transmitted infections can also be done with your doctor or at your local walk-in clinic.

No walk-ins unless you're picking up free condoms from our St. Catharines location.

Limited appointments are available at our 277 Welland Ave., St. Catharines location. To speak with a nurse about your health concern, call 905-688-3817 or 1-800-263-5757.

Our Fort Erie, Niagara Falls and Welland Sexual Health Centres are closed.

Using our services

Public health nurses and nurse practitioners staff our sexual health centres.

You don't need a referral, health card or parental consent to visit our sexual health centre. Certain tests may need a health card. In this situation, your nurse or nurse practitioner will discuss this further

Our sexual health clinic offers free parking. For accessibility concerns, call 905-688-3817 or 1-800-263-5757 upon arrival.

All services are free and confidential.

Services offered

  • Birth control and pregnancy services

    Birth control

    • You may be able to buy birth control from us at a reduced price if you're under 35 years old, meet eligibility requirements and have a new prescription from a doctor or an nurse practitioner
    • If you're an eligible client under the age of 21, you may be assessed by our nurse practitioners for a birth control prescription
    • Intrauterine device (IUD) counselling and referrals are available for eligible clients
    • Certain birth control (pills and IUDs) may be free at a pharmacy through the OHIP+ program for those 24 years of age and under. No enrolment is needed. All that is needed for this program is a health card number and an eligible prescription. Check medication coverage to find out what birth control is covered as part of this program.
    • If you don't have a family doctor or a nurse practitioner, see a list of family physicians in Niagara who are accepting new patients
    • Free condoms

    Contact the Sexual Health Centre at 905-688-3817 or 1-800-263-5757 for eligibility details. For more information on birth control, visit Sex&U Contraception.

    Pregnancy support

    We offer pregnancy testing based on eligibility as determined by a nurse. Learn about signs of pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy options counselling.

    Postpartum mothers

    For information on birth control and breastfeeding, visit Niagara Parents.

    Morning-after pill

    If you forgot to use birth control, didn't take your birth control on time, or had a condom break, you can take the morning-after pill within five days of having sex to reduce your chance of pregnancy. If you forgot to take your birth control on time, get back on schedule.

    You can buy the morning-after pill from the Sexual Health Centre, outreach nurse or over the counter at all pharmacies.

  • Sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment
    We're currently offering limited testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections due to COVID-19. We're not offering genital wart treatment at this time.

    Call us for more information or to book an appointment.

    HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP)

    HIV PrEP is medication (oral pill) that helps reduce the risk of HIV in individuals who are high-risk on getting the virus. For more information, visit:

    HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PEP)

    HIV PEP is used to prevent the transmission of HIV in an HIV-negative person who may have recently been exposed to the virus. HIV PEP is only available at the emergency department at any hospital within Niagara.

    • Given 72 hours of exposure
    • Combination of medication
  • Outreach nursing

    Outreach nurses provide a range of health services for residents who have challenges accessing traditional health care.

  • Vaccinations for eligible clients

    Hepatitis A

    Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that affects the liver. It's transmitted by coming in contact with contaminated food and water or coming in direct contact with a person that has the virus.

    The hepatitis A vaccination is available free at the sexual health centre for those who are:

    • Injection drug users
    • Men who have sex with other men
    • People who are hepatitis C positive

    Hepatitis B

    Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause serious damage to your liver. It's transmitted by coming in contact with infected blood or body fluids, like semen and vaginal fluid.

    You may have received the hepatitis B vaccine in school if you were born after 1978. If you haven't received the vaccine, you can get it free from the sexual health centre if you're assessed to be at risk for infection.

    Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

    Human Papillomavirus is a family of viruses that can cause many cancers and genital warts. The most common types of cancer that HPV can cause are cervical and oral cancers. The Gardasil 9 vaccine can prevent nine of the most common types of the virus that cause cancer and genital warts.

    You're eligible for a free HPV vaccine if you're a male under the age of 27, and a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. All students in Grade 7 are also eligible for a free HPV vaccine and remain eligible until they finish high school.

When to visit a health care provider

Your time is valuable and we want to ensure you're seeking care with the most appropriate health service. Visit your health care provider if you need:

  • Routine pap tests
  • Prenatal care
  • Referral to a gynecologist
  • Infertility testing, treatment or counselling
  • Treatments for:
    • Genital warts
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Cold sores on the mouth
    • Menopausal symptoms
    • Erectile dysfunction

If you don't have a health care provider, see a list of family physicians in Niagara who are accepting new patients.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity or contact that you don't consent to.

Where to get help in Niagara

A variety of health care options is available within Ontario. To learn more, visit Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres.

Live chat or call Sexual Health Ontario

Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The office is closed daily from noon - 1 p.m.; appointments are not available during this time.

If you have sexual health questions outside of our office hours, eChat and the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario are other options available to you.

More information

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