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There’s no single best method - it depends on what suits your lifestyle best, how effective you need it to be, and whether you also need protection against STIs. Our doctors can talk it through with you, and the initial assessment can now be done by telehealth.
We are blessed with a wide range of modern, cost efficient and highly effective contraception options, which can give you up to 99+% assurance that an unplanned pregnancy 'mishap' will not happen to you!
Your options
Questions to consider
There's nothing quite as Sexy as safe!
Condoms are the only form of contraception that also reduce the risk of STIs. Using a condom alongside another method is the best way to avoid both.
In modern Australia and around the world, the best choice for effective birth control is a Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) - ‘set and forget’, and far more effective than other types.
Implant
A rod, in your arm
Mirena® or Kyleena®
Hormone-free
Long acting methods differ mainly in how long they last, and whether they use hormones. All three are more than 99% effective.
Still unsure? Our contraception comparison walks through all 14 methods, or call us for a confidential chat.
The male condom provides a barrier which collects semen and stops the transfer of fluids to a partner. Condoms are around 82% effective because they can break and are not always used correctly.
The female (internal) condom has a flexible ring and is inserted into the vagina before sex. Female condoms provide a barrier which collects the semen and stops transfer of fluids to a partner.
Male condoms are 82% effective on their won. The female condom is 79% effective but an be up to 95% if used correctly on it’s own. Both are a gold standard when used with other methods
The packs generally contain hormone pills and sugar pills. You have a monthly bleed (like a period) if you take the sugar pills. The Pill stops the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens the mucus in the cervix and stops the sperm from moving into the uterus. The pill is around 92% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken by the average woman. Some women may experience side effects, like tender breasts, headaches, feeling sick, bloating, mood changes and some irregular spotting. These usually settle within the first few months. You should not take the pill if you have a history of migraines, heart disease and severe liver conditions. Talk to your doctor for advice!
There are 28 pills in a pack, each containing the same dose. There is a new POP (containing drospirenone only) which is more reliable than the old types which needed to be taken at the same time every day for it to work.
The POP thickens the mucus of the cervix to stop sperm from moving into the uterus. Sometimes it also stops the ovaries from releasing an egg.
The combined pill can be 92% effective if taken properly, once every day. The progesterone only pill, if taken properly, can be 91% effective.
The Implant is a small plastic rod which is inserted under your skin on the inside of your upper arm.
It can stay in place for up to 3 years and releases a hormone which stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. This also thickens the mucus in the cervix to stop sperm from moving into the uterus. The Implant is 99.9 % effective at preventing pregnancy.
The vaginal ring is a soft plastic ring. It contains hormones, similar to those in the combined pill. It’s placed in the vagina for three weeks, and is ‘set and forget’ for this time frame. It is then removed for one week when a monthly bleed (like a period) is expected. After the fourth week, you insert a new ring and begin the cycle again.
The vaginal ring stops the ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens the mucus at the cervix to stop sperm from moving into the uterus. Similar to the pill, the difference is that the hormones in the ring get absorbed slowly through the walls of the vagina.
The vaginal ring is about as effective as taking the combined pill (92%)
In modern Australia and around the world, the best choice for effective birth control is the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs). We recommend these as the “Gold Standard” because they are “set and forget” and much more effective than other types of contraceptive.
Great News!! To save you time, effort, and travel costs, we can now provide contraception consultations including an initial IUD Assessment, over the phone (via Telehealth) so you don’t have to come into the clinic until we know that you’re suitable.
All types of IUD are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
You may experience some cramping when an IUD is inserted, and it must be inserted and removed by a trained doctor or nurse. If you want to get an IUD inserted in Sydney by the team, you can learn more by visting our treatment page
There are two types of hormonal IUDs available in Australia. They are called Mirena® and Kyleena®. The Kyleena® is slightly smaller than the Mirena® and has a lower amount of the hormone.
The copper IUD slows the egg’s movement to delay the sperm and egg meeting. Stops sperm from fertilising the egg and stops a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus.
DMPA is a long-acting hormone and is injected every 12 weeks into the buttock or upper arm. After a few injections, monthly bleeding may stop altogether. DMPA is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but can be less effective if you’re late for an injection.
Can cause weight gain, headaches, tender breasts, acne, some loss of bone density and irregular bleeding. This usually gets better with time.
DMPA is not recommended if you are under 18 years old or approaching menopause, as it may affect your bone density. Not recommended if you want to get pregnant within the next 12 to 18 months.
The ECP is taken after unprotected sex to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. There are two different types of ECP, Levonorgestrel-ECP (LNG-ECP) and Ulipristal acetate (UPA).
You may decide to use emergency contraception if:
• You have had sex without any contraception
• You had sex without a condom or the condom broke
• You forgot to take your usual contraception
• You are a victim of sexual assault
The ECP is very safe. Side effects include slight bleeding, an early or late period. If your period is late you should have a pregnancy test.
The LNG-ECP is effective up to four days, and UPA is effective up to five days after unprotected sex. But the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be. You may need to have a follow-up pregnancy test in a few weeks to make sure you are not pregnant. It’s best to discuss this with your doctor or the chemist.
The diaphragm is a round silicone cap worn inside the vagina to cover the cervix. It provides a barrier to stop the sperm entering the uterus. After sex, the diaphragm must be left in place for at least six hours. For it to work it needs to fit properly, be put in correctly and be used every time you have sex.
When used correctly, the diaphragm is about 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. There is only one type of diaphragm available in Australia, and it is “one size fits all”.
These methods are based on identifying the fertile days of the menstrual cycle in order to avoid a pregnancy. They involve monitoring the menstrual cycle and observing signs such as cervical mucus secretions, cervical changes and basal body temperature.
If used correctly every time these methods are 75% to 99.6% effective but require motivation to avoid a pregnancy. Advice from an expert educator is recommended.
Withdrawal Method
Sterilisation
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