Contraception Clinic in Cockburn, Perth

The two main types are the combined pill (COCP) and the progestin-only pill, or the POP (mini pill). The combined pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation), and the mini pill prevents sperm from entering the uterus (womb) by thickening the mucus.

• How effective is it: 99% efficacy¹ with perfect use; with typical day-to-day use, this figure may drop slightly (91 – 93%). 

• Potential risks: 

• • • Nausea
    • Headaches
    • Breast tenderness
    • Mood swings
    • Spotting or irregular bleeding
    • Blood clots (rare)

• Protection against STIs: None.

• Typically recommended for: Those who would like to space their pregnancies and want a rapid return to fertility after stopping the pill.

• Not suitable for those with: 

• • Breast cancer
  • Severe liver disease
  • Unusual bleeding from the vagina 
  • Taking medications or herbal remedies that may make the pills ineffective

Point to note: Regular check-ups are necessary after starting the pill to ensure any serious side effects are mitigated.

Contraceptive injections are usually administered into the upper arm or buttocks. They prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering the uterus. Although they are administered every 3 months, the duration of protection varies depending on the type of injection administered.

• How effective is it: >99% efficacy with perfect use; with typical use, this value drops to about 94%².

• Potential risks: 

• • • Acne
    • Headaches
    • Mood changes
    • Weight gain
    • Pain and changes to your periods
    • Small lump or scar around the injection site
    • Low libido (sex drive)
    • Hot flushes

• Protection against STIs: None.

• Typically recommended for: Women who require a convenient birth control option that doesn’t require much effort and is long-lasting.

• Not suitable for those who: 

• • Have or have had breast cancer 
  • Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Have severe liver disease
  • Have a history of heart disease or meningioma (a type of brain tumour)
  • Are 50 years or older

Point to note: Once administered, the effects of the injection cannot be reversed, and it may take a while for your periods to go back to normal (6-9 months). 

This small and flexible contraceptive device looks like a ring and is inserted into the vagina. It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestin, inhibiting ovulation and stopping sperm from entering the uterus. 

• How effective is it: 99.5% efficacy (if used correctly); if patients forget to take it out or put it back on time, the efficacy may drop to around 93%³.

• Potential risks: 

• • Acne 
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches 
  • Mood changes
  • Low libido
  • Spotting/bleeding

While there’s a small risk of developing deep vein thrombosis or DVT (blood clots in your veins) and getting a heart attack or a stroke, these are usually rare.

• Protection against STIs: None.

• Typically recommended for: Women who find it difficult to take the pill daily and need a convenient and effective birth control option.

• Not suitable for those who: 

• Have a history of blood-clotting disorders

• Have had a heart attack or stroke

• Are on specific medications that are contraindicated for vaginal rings 
• Are breastfeeding (especially during the early postpartum period) 

Point to note: As with most hormonal methods of contraception, a qualified health professional must prescribe the ring to ensure it is medically appropriate for you.

Commonly referred to as ‘rods’ or ‘implants’, these small and flexible rod-like devices are placed under the skin of the upper arm. They are a form of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and work by steadily releasing a low dose of progestin. This hormone prevents pregnancy by inhibiting the release of eggs from the ovaries. At our clinic, we provide a number of contraceptive implant options, supported by clinicians who are well-experienced in Implanon insertion and removal in Perth.

• • How effective is it: High efficacy (99.9%⁴).

• Potential risks:  

• • Acne
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Headaches
  • Weight gain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Thrush (yeast infection)

Serious complications such as infection, blood clots, and ectopic pregnancy (occurring outside the uterus) are usually rare.

• Protection against STIs: None.

• Typically recommended for: Those seeking long-term protection (usually removed or replaced after 3 years).

• Not suitable for women:  
  • With a heart condition
  • With a liver disease
  • With breast cancer
  • Who are pregnant 

Point to note: Due to the significant risks associated with implant insertion and removal, only a trained professional should perform this procedure. 

Also known as a hormonal intrauterine device (hormonal IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS), this small T-shaped device is inserted into the uterus. They release a small dose of the hormone progestin, making the mucus of the cervix thicker and stopping sperm from entering the uterus and fertilising an egg.

• How effective is it:  High efficacy (>99.9%⁵).

• Potential risks: Although many do not typically experience any major complications, some possible side effects include the development of small, harmless fluid-filled sacs on your ovaries, bleeding/spotting with period-like pain. 

• Protection against STIs: None.

• Typically recommended for: Individuals seeking a long-term and reversible birth control option.

• Not suitable for those: 
  • With a uterine abnormality
  • With a history of or current breast, uterine, or cervical cancer
  • Have a current untreated sexually transmitted infection or pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Have a severe liver disease
  • Are pregnant

Point to note: Hormonal coils are also sometimes used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding.