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With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost with contraception. We can help you find the option that’s best for you.
Take our consultation to get expert recommendations for birth control that suit you and your life.
In a nutshell, contraception reduces your risk of getting pregnant. Certain types of hormonal birth control also have the added benefit of reducing some of the uncomfortable symptoms you may get around your period, and can make your period lighter and more regular.
You can take contraception for as long as you want to. Or you can switch methods or stop using it if you want to have a child. Some types of hormonal birth control are better for specific health issues or age ranges. So it’s good to check in with your clinician every now and then to make sure your birth control is still right for you.
Hormonal contraception is only available on prescription in Australia. Our clinical team can help you narrow down the best option because there are quite a few out there, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all type of deal.
There are some types of hormonal birth control that you take by yourself, and a few others where you’ll need to receive them in a clinic or under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
The pill is on of the most widely used. There are a few different types, and these need to be taken every day to be fully efffective.
Other types of birth control include the depo shot, the IUD (hormonal and non-hormonal) and the implant. You can’t use those without visiting a clinician in person though, so we don’t offer them. There are also condoms (for both men and women) and the diaphragm, which you can get at a pharmacy or sexual health clinic. These methods also protect against STIs.
It depends on you, really. The pill has been around for a long time, is simple to take and most women find it to be effective. But you do need to remember to take it every day.
There are other options that work in a similar way to the pill, but you don’t need to remember to use them every day (one you can stick to your arm every week, and another you can insert into the vagina once a month).
Formulations make a difference too. Some women prefer options with a higher hormone dose, because it helps them with symptoms like vaginal dryness or low sex drive. Others prefer a lower hormone dose, because they’ll be less likely to get water retention or heavy periods.
Progestin-only options are sometimes helpful for women with certain health conditions, or for women who are breastfeeding.
So it’s very much a case of personal preference, and your health background. But we can talk you through all the options.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Most types of hormonal contracpetion are generally considered to be over 99% effective when used exactly right. That’s what clinicians call ‘perfect use’. This 99% effectiveness means that if 100 women use one of these types of birth control for one year, fewer than one will get pregnant.
‘Typical’ use is a bit less perfect and a lot more realistic. If you use contraception but make occasional mistakes, like forgetting a pill or putting a ring in too late, the effectiveness is thought to drop to between 91% and 94%. That means that six to nine women out of a hundred would become pregnant over the course of a year.
The best way to make sure your birth control is as effective as possible is to take it exactly as directed, which is why it’s important to find the method that works best with your lifestyle.
Hormonal birth control reduces your chances of pregnancy by changing the normal hormonal cycle in your body. It prevents ovulation, when the ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube. The hormones in birth control also keep the walls of your uterus from growing thicker with your cycle. When the uterine wall is thin, it’s more difficult for an egg to attach to it and grow.
Hormonal birth control also changes the thickness of cervical fluid. This means sperm have a harder time making it through to an egg as a result.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
There’s the combined pill, which usually comes in a pack of 21, though some brands may vary slightly (and contain 24 or 28 for example). With a pack of 21, you’ll take a dose a day for the duration of the pack (the first three weeks of your cycle) then have a week off — that’s when you’ll get your period. This is the most widely used type of hormonal birth control. It’s called the combined pill because it contains two hormones.
The progestin-only pill is taken once a day continuously (without a break). They’re different from combined options because they only carry one hormone.
Another method of contraception is a soft, flexible piece of plastic that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks. Then you remove it, take a week long break and insert the next dose.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know about Contraception? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
“Morning after” pill (emergency contraception pill). www.healthdirect.gov.au.
Pregnancy protection. Help with PMS. Find the birth control that works best for you.
May be better for women who get migraines or side effects on combined birth control.
Registered with GMC (No. 4624794)
Meet DanielVictorian Pharmacy Authority (AHPRA: 3000093-104124)
Meet StephenAlways read the leaflet that comes with your medication and tell us about any side effects you get.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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