Contraception & Abortion

To prevent pregnancy, an external condom is rolled on to an erect penis immediately before having sex. It creates a physical barrier that reduces skin to skin contact and collects semen so that sperm can’t reach the egg. External condoms are single use and are thrown away once they’re used. They can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, and adult stores and can also be found for free at some healthcare, educational, and community settings. External condoms are 88% effective at preventing pregnancy. Latex-free condoms are also available for folks who are allergic to latex. Condoms are the only form of contraception that also help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and can also be used on toys/prosthetics. Visit our page on Condoms, Dams, Gloves and Lube for instructions on how to use external condoms. 

To prevent pregnancy, internal condoms are worn inside the vagina. They can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex. It creates a physical barrier that reduces skin to skin contact and collects semen so that sperm can’t reach the egg. Internal condoms are single-use and should be disposed of after use. Internal condoms are 79% effective at preventing pregnancy. They can be bought without a prescription online and from some health clinics and pharmacies. Internal condoms can also be used for anal penetration to prevent the transmission of STIs. Condoms are the only form of contraception that also help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Visit our page on Condoms, Dams, Gloves and Lube for instructions on how to use internal condoms. 

A contraceptive implant (the rod) is a small flexible rod, roughly the size of a matchstick. It contains a progestogen hormone called etonogestrel. The implant is inserted under the skin by a healthcare practitioner, on the underside of the upper arm and can stay there for up to 3 years, slowly releasing the hormone. Local anaesthetic is used during the insertion or removal procedure. The contraceptive implant available in Australia is called Implanon NXT. It prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation and thickens the mucous in the cervix, significantly lowering the chances of sperm fertilising an egg. The implant is 99.95% effective at preventing pregnancy, and can cause changes to periods or stop periods while it’s inserted. Contraceptive implants do not prevent STIs, but can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy.

The contraceptive injection is an injection that prevents pregnancy. The injection works for 12 weeks. The injection contains the hormone depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). DMPA is a hormone similar to progesterone. The injection is given by a healthcare practitioner into the arm or bottom muscle every 12 weeks. Making appointments in advance (every 12 weeks) can help to not miss an injection. In Australia the contraceptive injections available are called Depo-Provera and Depo-Ralovera. It prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation and thickens the mucous in the cervix, significantly lowering the chances of sperm fertilising an egg. It is 96% effective at preventing pregnancy. The injection can cause changes to periods or stop periods while the injection is working. It may take a few months for fertility to return after stopping the injections. Contraceptive injections do not prevent STIs, but can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy. 

A small device made of plastic and containing a hormone called levonorgestrel. They prevent sperm from reaching and fertilising the egg and can last 5 years. There are two kinds – Mirena© and Kyleena©. To prevent pregnancy, a hormonal IUD is inserted inside the uterus, through the vagina and cervix, by a healthcare practitioner. It creates an environment that is not suitable for sperm fertilising an egg or the establishment of a fertilised egg. It can also sometimes stop the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). A hormonal IUD can last for 8 years, on either kind. It must be inserted and removed by a trained healthcare practitioner, which may be uncomfortable or painful. Local anaesthetic or sedation is available at some clinics for insertion*. Hormonal IUDs are 99.9% (Mirena©) – 99.7% (Kyleena©) effective. They can result in lighter periods or no periods at all. Hormonal IUDs do not prevent STIs, but they can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy. 

*You can ask for anaesthetic options at the clinic you go to, however please note that processes like sedation may be an additional cost, and not all clinics provide sedation. You can also take a support person with you for the insertion process, if you are not going under sedation.

A small device made of plastic and copper. They prevent sperm from reaching and fertilising the egg and can last 5-10 years. To prevent pregnancy, a copper IUD  is inserted inside the uterus, through the vagina and cervix, by a healthcare practitioner. It creates an environment that is toxic and unsupportive to sperm fertilising an egg. A copper IUD can last for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type of copper IUD you have. It must be inserted and removed by a trained healthcare practitioner, which may be uncomfortable or painful. Local anaesthetic or sedation is available at some clinics for insertion*. Copper IUDs are 99.5% effective at preventing pregnancy. For some folks, copper IUDs may cause heavier periods. Copper IUDs do not prevent STIs, but they can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy. 

*You can ask for anaesthetic options at the clinic you go to, however please note that processes like sedation may be an additional cost, and not all clinics provide sedation. You can also take a support person with you for the insertion process, if you are not going under sedation.

Pills are taken daily and come in two main types:

Progestin-Only Pills

A progestogen-only pill is taken by mouth every day. There are two types, one containing hormones called levonorgestrel or norethisterone (also called the mini-pill), and the other type is Slinda®, containing the hormone drospirenone. Progestogen-only pills are prescribed by a health practitioner and can be bought at a local pharmacy (chemist) with a prescription. The mini-pill prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucous in the cervix, stopping the sperm from reaching an egg. Slinda® also does this, and prevents ovulation. Progestogen-only pills only prevent pregnancy while you are taking them as directed by a healthcare practitioner, and both types need to be taken at the same time/time window every day to be effective. Progestogen-only pills are 93% effective at preventing pregnancy. They do not prevent STIs, but they can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy. 

Combined Pills

A combined oral contraceptive pill (the pill) is taken by mouth and contains two hormones, oestrogen, and progestogen. The pill is prescribed by a health practitioner and can be bought at a local pharmacy (chemist) with a prescription. It prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation and thickening the mucous in the cervix, significantly lowering the chances of sperm fertilising an egg. The pill only prevents pregnancy when it is being taken correctly, as directed by a healthcare practitioner. The pill is 93% effective at preventing pregnancy. Combined pills do not prevent STIs, but can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy. 

To prevent pregnancy, a diaphragm is inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix before sex. It acts as a barrier that blocks sperm from entering the cervix and reaching the egg. The diaphragm must be left in place for at least 6 hours after sex. Diaphragms can be reused for up to two years with proper cleaning and storage. They can be bought from some reproductive health clinics, pharmacies and online. Your healthcare practitioner can help to make sure the diaphragm fits correctly and can check that you know how to put it in. Diaphragms are 82% effective at preventing pregnancy. Diaphragms do not prevent STIs, but they can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy.

The vaginal ring is a soft plastic ring containing estrogen and progestogen. In Australia, the only available brand is NuvaRing. The ring is self-inserted into the vagina and stays in place for three weeks, followed by a one-week break. A new ring is then inserted, and the cycle repeats. While inside the body, the ring releases hormones absorbed through the vaginal walls. The ring is prescribed by a healthcare practitioner, and available at pharmacies with the prescription. It prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation  and thickens the mucous in the cervix, significantly lowering the chances of sperm fertilising an egg. It is 93% effective at preventing pregnancy. The ring can cause changes to periods or stop periods if used back-to-back. Contraceptive rings do not prevent STIs, but can be used with a condom for prevention of both STIs and pregnancy.