FAQs

The Contraception Options Finder is a free, online tool to help you learn about contraception and find what might work best for you, or someone you care about. It gives clear, evidence-based and reliable information.

You can use the tool in two ways:

• Complete the five-minute quiz where you will be guided through a few simple questions about your needs and preferences. Based on your answers, the tool will show you different contraception options for you to explore and compare.
• Use the comparison feature which lets you explore and compare different contraception options side-by-side, based on what matters most to you.

The tool is a good place to start but it does not replace medical advice. You should take what you learn from the tool to speak with a healthcare professional, so you can choose the option that is right for you.

The Contraception Options Finder can be used by people of all sex and gender who want to learn about contraception and explore their options.

You can use the tool if you are thinking about starting contraception, want to change what type of contraception you are using, or are helping a partner or someone else learn about their options.

If you are under 18 years of age, you can use the tool on your own or with someone you trust. If you'd like support, but don't have an adult you feel safe with, you can visit a GP or sexual health clinic. Alternatively, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 for general support and advice about contraception and any other issues. It's free, and what you talk about stays private (that means just between you and them). You can also visit their website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/Opens in a new tab

The Contraception Options Finder was developed by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing in partnership with Healthdirect Australia. The tool was shaped through advice and testing with people who have real-life experience using contraception or exploring contraception options. This included GPs, specialists, nurses and other sexual health clinicians.

Your privacy is important. The Contraception Options Finder does not store any of your personal information.

You won’t be asked your name, email or contact details to use the tool or see your results. Your answers will not be saved or shared once you leave the tool.

More information on Healthdirect Australia’s Privacy Policy can be found here.

If you have feedback or experience an issue with the Contraception Options Finder, you can contact Healthdirect Australia.

We welcome your feedback to help improve the tool and make sure that it works well for everyone.

Contraception is something you use to prevent pregnancy. There are different types of contraception, including emergency contraception, short-acting methods, long-acting methods, barrier methods, permanent methods and behavioural methods. This tool includes information about all the types of contraception that are available in Australia.

Contraception can also have other benefits, like protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and managing certain health symptoms. This tool includes information about which types of contraception can be used to manage symptoms such as period pain, heavy period bleeding, irregular periods, excessive hair growth and acne.

Contraception can also be used to help manage complex health presentations. These can include endometriosis, adenomyosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (previously called polycystic ovarian syndrome), perimenopause, anaemia, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and chronic pelvic pain. If you are interested in exploring the use of contraception for one of these concerns, it will be important to discuss with your healthcare professional. This is because the use of contraception is often only one part of your broader management plan.

If you choose a type of contraception that is a medicine or a medical device, you can find more information on specific brands or products in official product leaflets.

For medicines, this is called a Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet. For medical devices this is called a patient information leaflet. These leaflets explain how the product works, how to use it, possible side effects, and other important information.

Your healthcare professional may give you the leaflet for your specific product and answer any questions you have. You can also access CMI leaflets online hereOpens in a new tab.

Hormonal contraception uses hormones oestrogen and/or progestogen to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of hormonal contraception, each with different kinds and amounts of hormones.

Many people have a positive experience using hormonal contraception, with additional benefits for certain health conditions and symptoms (for example, management of period pain, heavy period bleeding, irregular periods, excessive hair growth and acne). However, as with all medications, some people may experience side effects. If the side effects of a certain hormonal contraception bother you, there are other options you can try that might be a better fit.

While most types of hormonal contraception send hormones around the whole body through the bloodstream, the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) mainly works within the uterus, with only small amounts of hormones entering the bloodstream. This means that generally, people experience fewer side-effects using the hormonal IUD compared to other types of hormonal contraception.

You may have heard a lot of different information and viewpoints about hormonal contraception and its effects. While people’s own experiences of using hormonal contraception are valid, there is also a lot of false information that is spread about hormonal contraception. For example:

• hormonal contraception does not impact or reduce your future fertility
• hormonal contraception does not increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects, even if you become unintentionally pregnant while using it
• it is not unsafe to use hormonal contraception for long periods of time (years or decades).

Shared decision making means that you and your healthcare professional work together to make decisions about contraception. You know your own body and what matters to you, while your healthcare professional can share their medical knowledge. Together, you can make the choice that is right for you.

Shared decision making helps make sure that:

• your choice fits your needs and preferences
• you understand your options
• you feel confident and in control of your decisions.

You still have options if there isn’t a doctor close to you. You can:

• book a telehealth appointment with a healthcare professional - they can give you advice, arrange any required tests and send you an electronic prescription (eScript) for an option that suits you
• visit a sexual health clinic, community health clinic or family planning clinic if you have one nearby
• talk to your local pharmacist - in some states and territories your pharmacist may be able to provide you with advice and access to some types of contraception.

You can use Service Finder on healthdirect to help you find healthcare professionals and health services near you.

If you do not live near a pharmacy, you may be able to order your prescription through an online pharmacy, with delivery in most metropolitan, regional and remote areas. Online pharmacies in Australia must follow the same laws and safety standards as regular pharmacies. All prescriptions are checked by a qualified pharmacist before medications are sent for delivery.

While it is possible to receive your contraception by mail, some forms of contraception (such as the contraception injection, contraceptive implant and IUD) still require you to see a healthcare professional in person for it to be given to you.

Some types of contraception, like an IUD or contraceptive implant, may involve some pain or discomfort when they are inserted. It is important to know that there are ways to help manage this.

You can talk to your healthcare professional about what to expect and what pain management options are available. You might want to ask your healthcare professional:

• what will the procedure feel like?
• what pain management options are available to me?
• what can I do before and after insertion to reduce pain?

Talking about pain management can help you feel better prepared and make a choice that is right for you.

Talking about contraception with your partner(s) can be an important part of looking after your health and wellbeing. Open and honest communication about sex and contraception can help everyone feel more confident and empowered.

If you can, try to have the conversation before having sex, when you have time to talk and feel comfortable. Choose a private place where you won’t be interrupted.

You might want to:

• share what matters to you (for example, preventing pregnancy or protecting against STIs, or both)
• ask your partner(s) what they think and listen to their views
• talk about what methods you are both comfortable using.

Some contraception methods, like condoms, need a partner’s involvement. Others are your choice to use yourself. It is okay if you decide on a method on your own.

You should never feel pressured to have sex, not use contraception, or to make a contraception decision that does not work for your body. If you and your partner(s) have different opinions on contraception and you are struggling to make a decision, it is recommended that you speak with a healthcare professional for confidential and sensitive advice.

If you are deciding about contraception with support from a carer, it is important to remember that it is your personal choice. Your wishes and beliefs about what is right for your body and your situation should always come first.

Make sure you understand the information being provided and the options available to you. Ask for more information or support if you require it. Think about:

• short-term and long-term outcomes
• possible side effects or complications
• what feels right for you based on your needs and preferences

If you feel unsure, pressured, or unsafe at any time, it is recommended that you talk to a trusted person or healthcare professional for support.

If you are a carer, the most important thing to remember is that the decision belongs to the person. The best support you can provide is helping the person to understand their options, express their preferences, and make a decision that feels right for them.

You can support them safely and effectively by:

• understanding what matters to them and respecting their preferences
• sharing clear and simple information to help them to understand their options
• giving them time and space to ask questions without pressure to decide
• supporting them to communicate their decision to others, such as healthcare professionals

As a carer you may be able to support someone to use the tool in different ways, including:

• going through the tool at their pace
• reading questions or information aloud
• checking in regularly to ask whether they want to keep going, pause or come back later
• helping them compare contraception options based on what matters most to them
• writing down questions they would like to ask a healthcare professional

Your role is to support the person to make their own decision, not to decide for them. Always ensure privacy and dignity are respected.

Safe sex is when you and your partner have sexual contact whilst protecting yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that protects against both unplanned pregnancies and STIs. This includes both internal condoms and external condoms, however, external condoms are more effective at protecting against STIs. If you or your partner are using another form of contraception, it is still important to use condoms and get tested for STIs regularly, as many STIs do not have symptoms.

Learn more about safe sex.

The best way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to use a barrier method (such as, condoms, dental dam) with a water or silicone-based lubricant when having vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you have a new partner, you should both get tested for STIs before having sex. As STIs often have no obvious symptoms, it is important to get tested regularly with a trusted healthcare professional.

Communicate with your sexual partners about STIs and agree on using condoms before you have sex. You should not have sex with someone if they have obvious STI symptoms on their mouth, anal or genital areas, such as warts, sores or rashes.

Learn more about STIs and preventing STIsOpens in a new tab.

You can get tested at a GP, sexual health clinic, Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or Aboriginal Medical Service. In most cases, testing is done through a simple urine sample or blood test. Sometimes, you may need to provide a swab of your throat, anus or vagina. You can usually do the swabs yourself, or a healthcare professional can do it for you.

The cost will depend on the test you need and where you choose to go. If you have a Medicare card, STI testing should be free but there might still be a fee for the consultation.

Learn more about getting tested for STIs and making STI testing your BeforeplayOpens in a new tab.

If you are thinking about having sex, it is important that you understand consent. Consent is giving permission for something to happen. During any type of sexual activity, it means that everyone involved freely agrees, understands what is happening and wants to take part. Consent can be changed or taken back at any time. Engaging in sexual activity with someone without their consent is against the law.

You cannot give consent if you are below a certain age. The legal age of consent is different depending on which state or territory in Australia you are in. If you are under 18 years old and you want to learn more, visit All about consentOpens in a new tab. For adults, please visit Sexual consentOpens in a new tab.

If you have been sexually assaulted, it is important to know that it is not your fault and that support is available.

If you are in immediate danger, call triple zero (000).

You can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Australia’s national sexual assault and domestic violence support service. It is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also use online chat or text if you prefer not to call.

It is a good idea to seek medical care as soon as you feel able. A healthcare professional can:

• check for any injuries and provide care
• offer emergency contraception to reduce the risk of pregnancy
• discuss testing or treatment for STIs
• connect you with counselling and support services

You can choose whether or not to report the assault to the police. This can be done at any time, and a support service can help you understand your options.

You do not have to go through this alone. Support is available whenever you are ready to reach out.

You can learn more about what to do if you have been sexually assaulted here.

Your healthcare team can see your Medicare information.

Also, if you are on a shared Medicare card and are 14 years or younger, other people on the card can see the Medicare claims that you make. This may include the date of the visit, the name of the healthcare professional, the cost and the type of appointment (i.e., item number claimed). Because of this, others on the card may be able to tell if you are using contraception, what type of contraception you are using, or other information about your sexual and reproductive health. If you are aged 15 years or older, you can get your own Medicare card. Visit Services AustraliaOpens in a new tab to find out more.

My Health Record is a secure digital record of your health information. Every Australian now has a My Health Record unless they ‘opted out’ before the end of January 2019 or have cancelled it.

If you are under the age of 14, you will automatically have a parent or guardian as nominated representatives on your My Health Record. This means they will be able to view your documents or upload and add information to your record. Once you turn 14, you can manage your own My Health Record. This means that you can choose whether you would like to provide access to your parent/s, guardian/s or another trusted person. To learn more about how to manage your access, visit Manage your recordOpens in a new tab.