Birth Control & Family Planning

Download the app now to talk with a medical professional about birth control.

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About Birth Control & Family Planning

Birth control helps ensure you get pregnant when you are ready. Oral contraceptive pills can also help with acne, breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities in addition to lowering risk for certain cancers. They are generally safe, but also come with some risks which needs to be evaluated periodically.

Getting help

What we can do
  • Discuss your reproductive life plan
  • For women not desiring pregnancy, we can advise you on birth control methods which best fit your preferences and health status
  • For women desiring pregnancy, we can discuss pre-conception counselling and optimizing your health for pregnancy
  • Assess your risk for sexually transmitted infections and provide screening
  • Provide advice on relevant in-person examinations required while using birth control
  • Provide prescriptions for birth control pills, patches and rings as well as referrals for IUD placement
We may ask you to
  • Take your blood pressure at home or in the pharmacy
  • Do a pregnancy or blood test
  • Ensure your pap smear is up to date
What we cannot do
  • Provide prescriptions where appropriate monitoring has not been done
  • If you have a complex medical history or any contraindications, we may advise you to seek in-person assessment in order to ensure that you are safely prescribed birth control.

What is Akira?

Akira is a mobile app that gives you instant access to a team of Canadian doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses experienced in family medicine.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Get help with many common issues without leaving home or work

  • Cold & Flu
  • UTIs
  • Sexual Health
  • Family Planning
  • Mental Health
  • Skin Issues
  • Acid Reflux
  • Travel Medicine
  • Prescriptions
  • Sinus
  • Eye Conditions
  • Stomach Flu
  • Cold & Flu
  • UTIs
  • Sexual Health
  • Family Planning
  • Mental Health
  • Skin Issues
  • Acid Reflex
  • Travel Medicine
  • Medication Renewals
  • Sinus
  • Eye Issues
  • Stomach Flu

Meet your care team

We've got you covered with a growing team of over 20 healthcare professionals

Shazeen is a family physician who trained at McMaster University and University of Toronto. She has a special interest in preventative and addiction medicine. She is the Clinical Practice Lead for Family Medicine at Akira.

Dr. Shazeen Bandukwala
Clinical Practice Lead

Stéphane is a physician based at the McGill University Health Center where he practices and teaches emergency medicine since 2005. He has also worked with McKinsey and others as a business consultant and has been involved with healthcare startups in Canada. He is passionate about the revolutionary potential of mobile health.

Dr. Stéphane Borreman
Quebec Practice Lead

Pamela is a family physician based in Toronto. She completed her residency training at the University of Toronto and has a special interest in acute ambulatory care and women's health.

Pamela is available for consultation in Korean.

Dr. Pamela An

Dr. Lougheed is a family and emergency physician who trained at Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Taylor Lougheed

Ingrid is a family physician who trained at McMaster University and University of Toronto. She has specific interests in mental health, breastfeeding medicine and medical education.

Ingrid is available for consultation in Cantonese.

Dr. Ingrid Lam

Smeeta is a family physician who trained at St. George's University and completed her residency at the University of Toronto. She has a special interest in acute care and women's health.

Dr. Smeeta Khoosal

Nhon is a Nurse Practitioner who completed her studies at the University of Ottawa. She has an interest in primary health care as well as women's health, specifically obstetrics.

Nhon is available for consultation in Vietnamese.

Nhon Bogue, NP

Heather is a Nurse Practitioner and alumnus of the University of Waterloo (BSc), University of Toronto (BScN) and University of Alberta (MN). She is interested in preventative medicine, women's health and mental health.

Heather Wesselo, NP

April is a Nurse Practitioner who did her studies at the University of British Columbia. She has an interest in primary health care, specifically women's health. She also enjoys providing care to remote and rural communities.

April Bakonyi, NP
Brianna Wright, RPN

Kathryn is a Nurse Practitioner who completed her M.Sc and NP training at McMaster University. Her knowledge base is well rounded in primary health care but has a special interest in well women and infant care.

Kathryn Sharman, NP
Jennifer Skuce, RPN
Chris Yu, RN
Katrina McCarrel, RPN
Crystal Hampel, RPN

Camille is an Akira Care Coordinator and has completed her Masters in Education at Queen's University. She is interested in knowledge translation, accessibility, and cultural competency in healthcare.

Camille Di Iulio
Care Coordinator