Barrier protection barriers are easy to find and you don’t need a prescription. Walk into a pharmacy, drugstore, corner store, or grocery store, and they should have at least a couple of options. Internal condoms may be harder to find, but can also be found in many drugstores and sex stores in Nova Scotia. The most common internal condoms are called ‘Female Condoms’, but can be used on both front-holes / vaginas and anuses by anyone of any gender. Many of these places will carry dental dams as well, but if they do not, condoms can be turned into dental dams as shown in the how to use a dental dam section. There are also online options if you want to order protection. Online can be a great option if you want to take some time browsing different kinds, but likely not a good solution if you need them quickly.

You can also get free condoms from medical clinics, community groups, local sexual health centres, and often health or sexual health centres at schools and universities. We also give out free external and internal condoms at our location in downtown Halifax. Many of these centres will have condoms sitting out in a bowl or basket so you can just grab some whenever you need them. If they don’t, and you feel comfortable enough, it never hurts to ask if they give out free protection. If you have a latex allergy, look for the words “latex free” on the box or look online.

What about lube? You can buy lube at drugstores and even grocery stores, or in more specialised sex shops, where you’ll find a wider variety. The internet offers lots of options for discreetly buying lube.

This section was adapted, with permission, from The Sex You Want Website.
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references