Sexual Health Services

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020: All sexual health clinics are closed until further notice.

Public Health offers non-judgmental and confidential services in our sexual health program. Our sites are LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning) positive and sex trade workers are welcome.

All services are free and most do not require a health card.

If you've experienced a sexual assault, you have the following options:

• Go to the emergency department of St Mary's Hospital in Kitchener or Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge
• Call the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at 519-749-6994 (located at both St. Mary's and Cambridge Memorial hospitals)
• Call the police at 911
• Call the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region at 519-741-8633

Clinical Services

Please Note: Family doctors, nurse practitioners and University or College Student Health Services can provide sexually transmitted and
blood-borne infections (STBBI) testing, pap tests and birth control. 

Our Sexual Health Clinic does not receive test results any sooner than other health care providers. To ensure that the Sexual Health Clinic is the best service to meet your needs, please review the list of our services.

Services we offer

• Birth control and pregnancy services for individuals younger than 25 years of age which include:
• Birth control (low cost and prescription)
• Birth control counselling (referral for IUD)
• IUD insertion/follow up/concerns/removals with assessment
• Pap test with a health card (if you don't have a family physician)
• Counselling and support
• Urine pregnancy test, pregnancy options information and low-cost emergency contraception pill (ECP) for women of all ages
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) information, testing and treatment for all ages which include:
• Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia testing and treatment
• HIV rapid testing if eligible
• Hepatitis C testing for those with identified risks
• HPV and Hepatitis A and B vaccines for those who qualify
• Initial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of Genital Herpes and genital warts
• Self-referral information for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention)
• Free condoms and safer sex supplies

Services we don't offer

In case of an emergency, please go directly to the hospital.

In non-emergency cases, please see your family physician, visit a walk-in clinic, or University/College Student Health Services about the following services:

• Testing and treatment of urinary tract infections, yeast, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
• Hepatitis A or B immunity testing
• Herpes blood testing
• Assessment of cold sores, scabies, crabs or lice
• Testing and treatment of infertility, miscarriage, menopause, sexual dysfunction (erection and arousal difficulties), dyspareunia (painful sex)

Drop-in Clinics

Drop-in clinics are first come first served. Please review the list of services above to ensure that the Sexual Health clinic is the best service to meet your need. No appointment is needed.

Public Health reserves the right to limit the number of clients during these clinics. 

*Mondays are staffed by nurses. If discharge, bumps, or pain are present, please go to your health care provider, a walk-in clinic, student health services, or attend another day.

Clinical Services by Appointment

Limited appointments are available and they can only be booked if you're first assessed by a nurse. Call 519-883-2314 option #4, or send an email to book an appointment or to speak with a Public Health Nurse. We will follow-up within one business day.

The following services are offered by appointment only:

• Birth control clinic including IUD/IUS discussion and insertion for clients up to 24 years of age, Wednesdays
• Birth control counselling for clients up to 18 years of age, Thursday and Friday afternoons

Other Options 

Public health nurses are also available at all Waterloo Region District School Board secondary schools to provide sexual health counselling services for youth.

The Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) is also available by phone or live chat. This service is offered by Toronto Public Health and may not have up-to-date information about services in Waterloo Region.