Blog Posts

On July 2, 2025, British Columbia joined the ranks of seven other provinces across Canada providing some funding for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This publicly funded program will offer one-time funding of up to $19 000 towards one standard cycle of IVF at participating clinics. The impact of infertility on British Columbians is significant with BC… Read more »

Every 2 weeks or so we’re reviewing books that we found interesting. These books may range from nonfiction to fantasy to informative to escapism. Our hope is that we find something for everyone, and to broaden awareness, access, and information pertaining to sex, sexual health, pleasure, and\ beyond! Big Swiss by Jen Beagin is a… Read more »

Every 2 weeks or so we’re reviewing books that we found interesting. These books may range from nonfiction to fantasy to informative to escapism. Our hope is that we find something for everyone, and to broaden awareness, access, and information pertaining to sex, sexual health, pleasure, and\ beyond! Book Review: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood… Read more »

The Vagina Is Self-Cleaning: Here’s What That Means for Your Reproductive Health Did you know that the vagina is one of the few self-cleaning organs in the human body? Alongside the lungs, kidneys, and sinuses, it has a natural way of keeping itself healthy, with no fancy products required. The vagina maintains its internal balance… Read more »

  We’re on the move! Our Nanaimo Clinic will be moving to a new location at the end of this month. To accommodate the move we will be closed from June 30th, reopening date will be announced.

Every 2 weeks or so we’re reviewing books that we found interesting. These books may range from nonfiction to fantasy to informative to escapism. Our hope is that we find something for everyone, and to broaden awareness, access, and information pertaining to sex, sexual health, pleasure, and beyond! The Safekeep is a gripping and intense historical… Read more »

Our Board of Directors is looking to recruit new members – could that be you? Please see Options Board Member Role Description May 2025 for more information on how you can get involved!

Did you know we have a new process in BC for Pap tests? You can now take your cervical health into your own hands – literally – with at-home test kits. You can still see a health care provider in office if you choose, but let’s look at the at-home option! Who should have cervical… Read more »

For this week’s book review is for an emotional and eye opening fictional look at the long shadow of the AIDS Epidemic The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai is a fictional look into the world of 1985 Chicago during the height of the AIDS pandemic, and 2015 Paris as the survivors continue trying to live… Read more »

Every week or so we’re reviewing books that we found interesting. These books may range from nonfiction to fantasy to informative to escapism. Our hope is that we find something for everyone, and to broaden awareness, access, and information pertaining to sex, sexual health, pleasure, and beyond! This Week’s Book Review We’re back with another… Read more »

Even though I volunteer at Options, I’ll admit that I still sometimes feel a bit intimidated when it’s time for STI testing. As someone with a fear of needles, I often procrastinate, but I’ve learned that the experience is always much easier and less scary than I expect. And honestly, it always feels great to… Read more »

Every week or so we’re reviewing books that we found interesting. These books may range from nonfiction to fantasy to informative to escapism. Our hope is that we find something for everyone, and to broaden awareness, access, and information pertaining to sex, sexual health, pleasure, and beyond! Today we are diving into the complexities of… Read more »

We’re back with more book reviews! If you’re in the mood for science and self-discovery then Love Theoretically might be your next read. Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood is a fun romance novel that follows main character Elsie, a hyper-independent professional fake-dater and physicist, as she tries to get her dream researcher job at a… Read more »

Valentine’s day is here and what a better way to spend it than delving into your fantasies and desires! Alone, or with a partner, for our final book review for SexPlus Week 2025 we want to share Want by Gillian Anderson. Note: some sexual fantasies may be triggering to some readers, as some kinks within… Read more »

Day 4 of SexPlus week is here and we’re bringing you thought provoking stories around the history of sex and reproductive rights. If you want powerful stories of social justice these are great for you! A Curious History of Sex by Kate Lister A Curious History of Sex by Kate Lister is a look at… Read more »

Today, on Day 3 of SexPlus Week, we’re missing the summer. But let’s heat up with some steamy, beachy reads! Grab your sunscreen and your beach umbrella! Read on to see our reviews Funny Story by Emily Henry “Funny Story was my #1 fiction book of the year in 2024! It follows the story of… Read more »

Welcome to today’s SexPlus book review! We’ve picked three fantastic and relatively light reads that explore themes of identity, love, and discovery all while highlighting the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience. Heart Stopper by Alice Oseman The Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, is a 5 volume graphic novel series with a 6th and final volume being written at… Read more »

Throughout the past 60 years, Options has provided clinical sexual and reproductive health care to people in BC, with an expansive network of clinics providing birth control, cervical cancer screening, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and options counselling, and general sexual and reproductive health services. We have persevered through so many challenges, and we… Read more »

Welcome to Day 1 of our SexPlus Week Book Reviews! Each day for SexPlus Week, we’ll be diving into a new theme and sharing book recommendations that explore different aspects of sexuality. Today, we’re starting with Science and Sex— learning about sex doesn’t need to be like your old high school sex ed class. It… Read more »

An Open Letter to Our Patients, Clients, Supporters, and Friends It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news. After years of insufficient funding and financial challenges, Options for Sexual Health is faced with the high likelihood that we will be forced to close the majority of our clinics in order to… Read more »

Options will be embarking on a consequential Strategic Planning consultation process in early 2025.  In advance of this work, we are requesting proposals to prepare a scan of the landscape(s) within which Options operates. Please see the RFP for more details. Please consider distributing widely within your networks, and note that we are working on… Read more »

We are so excited to be working with our new Executive Director Tiffany Melius, who joined us in June. Tiffany is a detail-oriented systems thinker, who brings extensive leadership experiences in nonprofit, health care, and community sectors. Her focus on fund development and her background in developing and implementing strategic and operational plans make her… Read more »

Our Sex Sense team is hiring! We’re looking for folks to join our staff! Sex Sense is a free and confidential sexual health referral and information service open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST. Our team of registered nurses, clinical counsellors, and sex educators offer information and resources for people living… Read more »

It’s an exciting time for Options for Sexual Health: we are hiring our next Executive Director! Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall strategic and operational leadership of this provincial sexual and reproductive health non-profit organization. The Executive Director oversees the delivery of Options’ vision, mission, and strategic… Read more »

It’s that time of year again – the time of year where we celebrate Sexual and Reproductive Health services, care, information, and rights in Canada! SRH Week is the opportunity for us to highlight our services, and bring awareness to the work we do. This year’s theme is Sexual health is for everyone and we… Read more »

It’s officially time to announce our 2023 Annual General Meeting! Although a little later than usual, we will be hosting our AGM on January 26th 2024. This year we will be hosting a hybrid AGM with an invitation for those interested in person to join us at our Provincial Office, and for those interested in… Read more »

After 6 years as its Executive Director, Michelle has decided to leave Options for Sexual Health. During her tenure, Michelle worked to bring substantive change, including supporting the province’s decision to make contraception free and accessible to all British Columbians. Moreover, Options continues to be a national leader in sexual and reproductive health care and education. The… Read more »

Sometimes having a vagina can feel like driving a car with no real idea what’s going on under the hood. From periods, to BV, to Bartholin’s cysts, to bladder infections (and of course the bedroom!) there can be a lot going on down there. Likely, your sex ed as a young person was woefully insufficient…. Read more »

Did you know our 60th is coming up? Tickets are now 90% sold out! Don’t delay- check it out today and get your tickets ASAP!

First, let me apologize for the terrible pun, but the topic of today’s blog post needs some levity. And even if you don’t know anyone with lichen sclerosus, keep reading because much of this info is important and might be useful to you anyways, especially if you’ve ever wondered how to center sexual pleasure when… Read more »

Here at Sex Sense, pregnancy tests are probably one of the most common things we get questions about. Whether you’re hoping for a positive or negative result, needing a pregnancy test can be a stressful moment! Easy to understand, accurate information can be hard to find, which can make it even more stressful. We are… Read more »

This week, we’re going to take a bit of a different approach and write about an important topic that we DON’T get a lot of calls and emails about at Sex Sense, but that we wish we did! Do you have a penis, prostate, and testicle or testicles? Do you know someone who does? Ever… Read more »

Being an Askable Adult “My daughter is 9 almost 10. She has questions about her body. How do I talk to my kid about puberty?!”* The short answer: It’s great that your kid has come to you with her questions! It’s great that you even WANT to talk to your kid about puberty! That means… Read more »

How to Find the Care You Need Short answer: Finding sexual health care can be challenging these days. Luckily, there are lots of virtual options, as well as clinic finders available to connect you with services in your area. However, you might have to travel for sexual health care and expect a delay – whether… Read more »

Access Depends on Where You Live At Sex Sense, we frequently get calls and emails from people about abortion access in BC. An unwanted pregnancy or one that happens in circumstances where it can’t be continued is often a very stressful situation, and we are always here to help our clients navigate it in the… Read more »

Hi! My name is Robin and I work on the Sex Sense team. I’m totally a sex nerd. I love it when people ask me questions about sex, sexuality, and sexual health. You can find out how to ask me your questions at www.sexsense.org. A VERY Common Question Just about every shift, someone calls who… Read more »

Hi! I’m Robin and I work on Sex Sense. I love when people ask me questions about sex, sexuality and sexual health. You can find info about how to ask me your questions at www.sexsense.org. Today I want to talk to you about a resource that I love: Queer Sex Therapy. While I always do… Read more »

You’re not the only one wondering. Hi there! It’s Robin again. Here at Sex Sense, I get a lot of (awesome) questions from folks of all genders along the lines of “why don’t I want to have sex?” “Where did my sex drive go?” “How can I increase my libido?” The answer to these questions… Read more »

Hi- this is Robin, a.k.a. Sex Sense. We are thrilled to be launching So Glad You Asked, our new blog, in honour of the 60th anniversary of Options for Sexual Health and the start of Sexual Health Week! Who We Are For the past 20 years, Sex Sense has been answering questions by both phone and… Read more »

A fall colouring contest to channel your rage? Yes, please! We love getting rage crafty! We’ve partnered with Modern Knotter (who also happens to be one of our amazing staff members!) to bring you Rage Crafting: The Fall Colouring Contest Edition! How it works: First: Choose one (or all three!) of the colouring sheets below,… Read more »

With all that has been happening south of the border, we have had a significant uptick in media requests. Despite the fact that Canada is not directly impacted (from a legal standpoint) we are going to have indirect impacts from the decision to overturn Roe vs Wade. Just how much of an impact is yet… Read more »

Standing up for Reproductive Rights and Justice in BC and Canada! Reproductive Rights & Justice Rally, May 14 2022 at 1pm a  šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly known as Queen Elizabeth Plaza) south side on Georgia Street FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:          May 12, 2022 A network of social justice and reproductive rights groups has come together to say… Read more »

Hello amazing friends of Options & champions for sexual health! I know you also must find it shocking, what’s going on in the United States right now. With the Supreme Court poised to overturn the landmark Roe V Wade decision that legalized abortion access across the country. We just cannot sit back and stay silent. In… Read more »

WE’VE BEEN BUSY. YESTERDAY WAS HARD, TODAY WE TAKE ACTION. JOIN US! Click here to check out our recent newsletter.  Check out some of the media from Tuesday: Abortion Access in BC (CityNews Video) Over My Dead Body: BC Politicians Vow Abortion Access won’t change in this province (CTV Article) US Abortion Canadian Advocates Concerns (CityNews… Read more »

As part of our work around decolonizing our practices and upholding the recommendations in the TRC, Options for Sexual Health will have Truth & Reconciliation Thursday every last Thursday of the month. It is clear that honouring Truth and Reconciliation with a national day annually is important but the work has to happen every day…. Read more »

We gathered. We rallied. We marched. Saturday October 2nd Options for Sexual Health hosted a rally to bring awareness to reproductive rights and justice on the unceded, ancestral, and occupied lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) peoples. After hearing a couple of rousing speeches to ground our amazing contingent of committed… Read more »

CLICK HERE FOR AGM AGENDA It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since our last AGM, and at the same time it feels like an eternity since the pandemic began! Our theme for this year is connection. We will highlight the many ways we have created, sustained, and enhanced connection while living through… Read more »

After more than 20 years we are closing the location on Prideaux Street, effective June 16th. We expect that we will be closed until at least July 5th. Updates will be made on social media and our website. You can book a telehealth appointment or call Sex Sense to find alternate options for services in… Read more »

Kathryn Fitzgerald, our Board President, wanted to take a moment to share her appreciation for our fabulous RNs and to give you some insight into the type of work they do at our clinics. I recently learned that May 12 is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. It is a day that is internationally recognized… Read more »

International Women’s Day 2021 Last year, we were planning a movie premiere for IWD. Last year we were sad that we had to postpone but figured it would only be postponed for a few months. Last year, we didn’t know the devastation COVID-19 would cause in our world. Last year we didn’t know that the… Read more »

Did you know that here in BC, we have some of the best sexual health education standards in the country? Yup, they’re evidence-informed, age and development appropriate to educate young people from kindergarten to grade 12. What’s great is that they inform things like physiology, reproduction, and gender as well as how to navigate things… Read more »

Even in a pandemic, sexual and reproductive health week is *still* an important time of year! This year’s theme is Youth Centered Care: It’s Your Right! As we focus this year’s events on youth, we are channeling our inner Millennial spirit, and taking our events online so that you can still join in on all… Read more »

JOIN US OCTOBER 25 at 10:30 a.m.! (Just not in person!) Things are going to look a little different for our annual Heart Your Parts fundraiser this year- we’re taking it online! Join the HYP from the comfort of your own home! We invite you to join us virtually as we champion and celebrate sexual… Read more »

Things are going to look a little different this year with our AGM, but despite a global pandemic, we still have to get our non-profit business done (and have some fun along the way, too!). We invite you to join us for our AGM and Awards ceremony. Attend virtually and contribute to what makes our… Read more »

The Time to Act is NOW. Today would have been Breonna Taylor’s 27th Birthday. But her life was cut short because of anti-Black racism. We know it’s important to recognize the lethal anti-Black racism currently being perpetrated and protested throughout the world. So, we are pausing; to listen, to learn, to unlearn, to take action, to… Read more »

So here we are. A time in our lives that is unprecedented, challenging and calls on all of us to work together, at a distance, to keep as many people healthy as possible. As an organization that provides sexual and reproductive health services, we are essential. We know that sex doesn’t stop just because people… Read more »

November 9, 2020 Update We continue to offer services, with some practical limitations, requirements, and requests. We ask that you please be patient with us during this time as we work towards ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health care and services and keeping our staff and patients safe. This is an evolving situation, and… Read more »

Do you have a cough, runny nose, sore throat? While you probably have a common cold and not COVID-19, we will, unfortunately, have to ask you not to visit our clinic or office while experiencing symptoms. Instead, please call us and we will do our best to assess how we can meet your needs by… Read more »

It’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week in Canada! Check out what we are doing to celebrate here!

Note: This position has been filled. Thank you to all who applied. We are seeking a sexual and reproductive health physician to take on the role of Medical Director/Advisor for our organization. As an important member of the leadership team, this individual must be passionate about advancing sexual and reproductive health care from a sex-positive,… Read more »

Are you looking for a fun way to support sexual health? This Giving Tuesday, we are kicking off a month-long fundraiser! Whether you’re a long time Options supporter, or new to our services, we invite you to wear your values and support for sexual and reproductive health! Some of you may have noticed the recent… Read more »

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just recently learned about them while watching Tales from the City, we are sure you will all agree that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a sight to behold, and they are joining us for breakfast! Who are the Sisters? They exist as an order of 21st century queer… Read more »

We have two big announcements about our Heart Your Parts Breakfast and we can’t wait to share them with you! This year, with our theme of My Body, My Choice, we made the very intentional decision to honour folks who are abortion providers based on the push to limit reproductive rights south of the border,… Read more »

We get it- it’s summer, and most of us aren’t ready to start thinking about September quite yet. BUT here at Options for Sexual Health, it is ALL we can think about! We are so excited about our 2019 Heart Your Parts Breakfast on September 20th, we thought we would help get you excited with our Top 8 Reasons… Read more »

Our Heart Your Parts Breakfast is back for 2019!  We think sexual and reproductive health, justice, and freedoms are important, how about you? On September 20th, 2019 Options for Sexual Health (Options) is hosting the 6th Annual ♥ Your Parts (HYP) Breakfast to raise awareness and funds to support access to sexual health care and… Read more »

We are all about choices… And we are pumped about the amazing partners who are working with us to honour the work of our incredible nursing staff at Options along with highlighting the conversation about choice and reproductive rights. Join us at any one of the amazing restaurants, breweries, or ice cream shops listed below… Read more »

Photo Source: CNN  News like this is why Options continues to monitor the global response to sexual and reproductive rights. When the leadership in the US changed, there was a recognition that sexual and reproductive rights might suffer within their borders. Soon after this new administration took power they took a stand and withdrew funding… Read more »

In every community, there is a range of diverse voices. Different values emerge, and in many cases, this can be a good thing. There are times, however, when some voices infringe on the charter rights and freedoms of individuals. As a provincial organization focusing on access to sexual and reproductive health care services, it is… Read more »

We have a new look and we are so excited to share it with you! The Process The updates to our brand and website have been in progress for a year now. We started working with Hot Soup Marketing Group to update our Sex Sense branding.  When we experienced how beautifully the new Sex Sense… Read more »

A realistic depiction of abortion in the media is taking the Twitterverse by storm and people are loving it! Although television shows and movies have long skirted around the issue of abortion, the depiction often ends at the waiting room and resumes somewhere after. In the new Hulu series Shrill, the first episode addresses the… Read more »

This September, Ontario will revert to an outdated 1998 sex-ed curriculum and young people’s health is on the line. Ontario is being thrown back to the dark age of sex-ed: As of September, Ontario students will receive one of the most outdated curriculums in Canada, compared to other provinces and territories. By reverting to a… Read more »

Today is the day! We are celebrating Chews and Brews for Choice— an opportunity for people to choose to support Options for Sexual health, or not. At our participating restaurants and breweries, the choice will be yours! Options for Sexual Health is BC’s Planned Parenthood, and our mission is to champion and celebrate the sexual health of… Read more »

Note: Our definition of women is inclusive of trans women and our definition of feminism includes intersectionality, a theory created by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Today is International Women’s Day. This is a day when we consciously celebrate and honour the achievements of all self-identified women throughout the world. We also take the opportunity to highlight some of the many… Read more »