Contraception

Contraception protects you from getting pregnant and works so an egg can’t be fertilised by sperm to produce a baby1.

Different methods of contraception may suit you at different stages of your life, but there are a range of options that you can choose from.

You also need to consider the side effects, the cost and the pain involved with your chosen type of contraception.

Hormonal contraception is a contraceptive method that contains a range of hormones that can stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill.

References

¹Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023

Some side effects that occur with hormonal contraception include¹:

• Irregular periods or spotting (light bleeding) between periods

• Lighter or skipped periods

• Less painful periods

• Mood changes

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Changes to your skin

References

¹Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023

To find more information about what contraceptives are available in your participating state, please click on your state below.

• NSW
• VIC
• WA
• SA
• TAS

Some side effects that occur with hormonal contraception include¹:

• Irregular periods or spotting (light bleeding) between periods

• Lighter or skipped periods

• Less painful periods

• Mood changes

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Changes to your skin

¹Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023

What hormonal or other method of contraception is best for you depends on a range of issues, including¹:

• How well each contraceptive method works

• How likely are you to use each contraceptive method (for example, do you prefer taking a pill at the same time every day or would you prefer a permanent method of contraception such as the implant that doesn’t need to be replaced for years?)

• Why you need to use contraception

• Cost

• Your general health

• Whether you want to get pregnant or not

• The time and effort involved in each contraceptive method

You can work together with your doctor to find the best contraceptive method for you and work with your Pharmacist to help get the method you need.

References

¹Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023

Before your Pharmacist can prescribe you these medications, they will take an assessment of your history and offer sexual and reproductive health counselling.

If they are unable to provide the type of contraception you are after, they can give you a referral to a medical practitioner or sexual health clinic.

Please note that this is not available at all Blooms The Chemist pharmacies.

There is a range of hormonal contraception available at QLD Blooms The Chemist pharmacies that are participating in the Hormonal Contraception Pilot, including:

• Oral medications
• Injected medications
• Contraceptive devices like the combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring

For more information about what is available under the Hormonal Contraception Pilot, please click here.