A guide to finding clinics and advice on sexual health services in the city.
by Anjali Mohan
Talking about health conditions and problems can be hard enough.  Knowing where to get the sexual health information and services you need can be harder still.  Someone you’re comfortable talking to and a safe space to get information is essential to a healthy sex life and doesn’t need to be complicated.  Here are some clinics and resources in downtown Toronto that can help you get started.

Toronto Clinics:

Anne Johnston Health Station (2398 Yonge St.; 416-486-8666)

This clinic provides sexual health services and HIV testing for youth 13 to 24 years including sexuality, birth control, testing for STI's (sexually transmitted infections) and HIV.  This clinic also provides sexual health information (in person and by phone) for youth and young adults (13 to 29 years of age), with mobility disabilities.  The SexAbility program provides peer counselling, workshops, presentations and social events for disabled youth.

Planned Parenthood of Toronto (36B Prince Arthur Ave.; 416-961-0113)

Planned Parenthood provides a number of different services for youth and adults, by mail, phone, or in person, on sexual and reproductive health issues; including, birth control, relationships, pregnancy, STI's, and HIV/AIDS.

The House: Planned Parenthood of Toronto (36B Prince Arthur Ave.; 416-927-7171)

Specifically for youth (ages 15 to 25), services include subsidized birth control, pregnancy testing and counselling, as well as help with STIs, and HIV/AIDS individual and group counselling.  Anonymous HIV testing is also available. General services do not require OHIP.

Bay Centre for Birth Control (790 Bay St., 8th Floor; 416-351-3700)

This clinic offers comprehensive health care for women and includes contraceptive and reproductive health care, abortion care, sexual health care, and other services including anonymous HIV testing, counselling and referrals.  No referral is required to use the service, appointments are preferred but emergency drop-ins can be accommodated.

Woman 2 Woman (790 Bay St., 8th Floor; 416-351-3725)

Within the Bay Centre for Birth Control, Planned Parenthood Toronto houses this clinic as a peer education program geared towards women. Trained volunteers provide education and information on sexual and reproductive health issues, including pregnancy options, birth control, healthy sexuality, STI's, HIV/AIDS, safer sex and healthy relationships.

Special Treatment Clinic (790 Bay St., 8th Floor; 416-351-2540)

In partnership with Toronto Public Health, this clinic (also at the BCBC location) offers confidential health services for men and women.  Services include testing and treatment of STI's, safer sex practices, HIV testing, and Hep B immunization.  No referral is required, appointments are preferred but drop-ins can be accommodated.

Hassle Free Clinic (66 Gerrard St. E.; 416-922-0603 for men; 416-922-0566 for women)

This free clinic has separate services for men and women, and provides services in different languages. Counselling and medical services are provided for birth control and STIs.  Services are confidential and OHIP is not required.  While men have the most services available by drop-in, most women’s services are appointment only. Anonymous HIV testing for men and women are by appointment only.

Healthstyles Clinic (part of the Family Health Unit) Toronto Western Hospital (399 Bathurst St., 2nd Floor; 416-603-5995)

The Healthstyles Clinic provides all sexual health related services, including birth control, STI treatment, and referrals for further counselling and testing.  While the Family Health Unit of Toronto Western does provide interpreters, the Healthstyles Clinic is unable to do the same as services are only provided on a walk-in basis for both men and women.

Immigrant Women's Health Centre (489 College St., Suite 200; 416-323-9986)

Geared towards immigrant and refugee women, and women of colour, IWHC also provides services in a number of different languages. Confidential services include counselling on health education, family planning, birth control, STI's, pregnancy, and workshops on reproductive health, breast health and AIDS.  Non-anonymous HIV testing is also available. All clinic services are by appointment only. Purchasing birth control and pregnancy tests can be done on a drop-in basis.

Crossways Clinic (2340 Dundas St. W.; 416-392-0999)

Crossway Clinic offers sexual health services to youth (15 to 25 years), but services are flexible and can include those who are older than 25.  Services include testing and treatment for STI's, reproductive health information, birth control, and referrals. Call for an appointment.

Other info:

If you’re outside the downtown core, these sites are great resources to find a clinic near you, and potentially even answer some easier questions:

www.toronto.ca/health/sexualhealth
The official Toronto Public Health website lists a number of different clinics throughout the GTA.  They also administer the provincial AIDS and Sexual Health Infoline/The Mainline at 416-392-2437 (416-392-AIDS) and have a few basic FAQs on the website.

www.spiderbytes.ca
A great site filled with information for teens (or anyone). This site has answers to pretty much any question about sex, sexuality, and sexual health.  The site is part of Planned Parenthood’s Teen Info Line (416-961-3200) handled by fully trained peer volunteers.

www.211toronto.ca
This is the online version of the 211 telephone service, to help access appropriate community, social, health and governmental services.  You can search by topic or browse on a list; this site provides very in-depth information of clinics, services provided, location and hours.

www.sexualityandu.ca
This site is run by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and has very up-to-date information on sexual health and related issues.  There are separate links for parents, teens, educators, health professionals and adults.

www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/sex
Government of Canada website provides general information on sexual health through fact sheets.