Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Contraception entails the use of hormones, devices, or surgical procedures to prevent pregnancy, allowing people to decide if and when they wish to have a baby. You and your healthcare provider can discuss the most suitable contraception for you.
The effectiveness of contraception depends on factors such as your age, how frequently you have sex, and whether you use the contraceptive correctly. Most types of contraception are over 99% effective when used properly.
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
Condoms are the only contraceptive method that also helps prevent sexually transmissible infections. Even if you’re using a different form of contraception to avoid pregnancy, you should still use a condom to guard against STIs.
When used properly, condoms will help to protect you from chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, HIV, and hepatitis B. However, condoms can’t protect you from infections that can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes, genital warts, mpox, pubic lice, or syphilis.
Regular STI testing is crucial to maintaining good sexual health, preventing the spread of STIs, and ensuring timely treatment of infections. Many STIs do not show symptoms and, if left untreated, can result in serious health issues.
Types
The Pill is not the sole option available; various contraception methods may be appropriate at different stages of your life.
- Condoms are a barrier method that prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching and fertilising an egg.
- The combined contraceptive pill, often referred to as the “pill,” contains synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, whereas the progestogen-only pill, sometimes called the mini-pill, contains no estrogen.
- Contraceptive implants and injections are long-acting, effective, reversible, and progestogen-only methods.
- Diaphragms are another barrier method used by women.
- The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring placed inside the vagina which is removed after 21 days.
- The contraceptive skin implant is a small plastic rod inserted under the skin of the upper arm.
- An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that fits inside the uterus.
- Vasectomy is a dependable and generally permanent method of contraception, involving a simple surgical procedure that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.
Detailed information about all these methods is available from your doctor.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
There are two types: the emergency contraceptive pill (morning-after pill), which contains progesterone and works by stopping or delaying ovulation, and the copper IUD, which can also be used as emergency contraception.
The emergency contraceptive pill is available from doctors and most pharmacies without a prescription and should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, but it can still be effective for up to five days.
Emergency post-exposure prophylaxis
If you’ve had sex without a condom with a person who has or might have, HIV – speak to a health professional about Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a month-long course of anti-HIV drugs that may prevent HIV infection after a possible exposure. Scenarios may also include the condom breaking or slipping off during sex.
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment, your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history and lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about contraception.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications and experiences, and 31 languages spoken, to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.