Womens Health: Contraception

Caring for Moranbah Women at Every Life Stage

At Oaktree Family Medical Centre, we provide a comprehensive range of women’s-health services, including:

  • Cervical Screening Tests (HPV) – every 5 years for people aged 25-74.

  • Contraception advice – pills, Depo injection, Implanon and other options.

  • Hormonal IUD (Mirena ETC) insertion & removal – daily appointments with Dr Asma; now approved for up to 8 years of pregnancy protection.

  • Heavy-period (menorrhagia) management – hormonal IUDs often lighten bleeding or stop periods altogether.HealthDirect

  • Fertility & pre-conception checks

  • Shared antenatal care with Mackay Base Hospital

  • Post-natal & breastfeeding support

  • Perimenopause & menopause care – symptom relief, Mirena for endometrial protection, bone-health checks

  • STI screening & sexual-health counselling

  • Mental-health support – low mood, anxiety, relationship stress

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Hormonal IUD (Mirena®, Kyleena®)

What it is

  • Tiny, T-shaped device releasing low-dose progestogen.

  • Reliable contraception and for some lighter periods for up to 8 years.

Process

  • Pre-consultation 3-7 days prior to assess suitability, discuss benefits and risks, provide script.

  • Collect IUD from pharmacy, bring to your procedure.

  • Procedure options: insertion only • removal only • removal & insertion.

  • Follow-up review at 6 weeks; optional ultrasound available.

  • Immediate insertion available post-termination (MS-2 Step®).

Worried about discomfort?
We offer pain relief including ibuprofen, local anaesthetic (gel or block), or Penthrox (Green Whistle). Just arrange a driver home if choosing sedation.

Who You’ll See

  • Dr Asma (female) - caring and extremely experienced, inserting IUDs daily.

  • Dr Ben (male) - gentle, thorough and equally experienced.

Please let reception know your doctor preference-we’re here to support your comfort.

Would you like to know more?

  • Healthdirect – Hormonal IUD overview

    • https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hormonal-intrauterine-device-iud

  • RACGP – Mirena lifespan now 8 years

    • https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/mirena-lifespan-extended-to-eight-years

  • Family Planning NSW – Hormonal IUD factsheet

    • https://www.fpnsw.org.au/health-information/individuals/contraception/intrauterine-devices-iuds

Copper IUD

What it is

  • Hormone-free contraception lasting 5-10 years.

  • Effective emergency contraception within 5 days after unprotected sex.

Process

  • Same as hormonal IUD, with comfort and pain relief options available.

Who You’ll See

  • Dr Asma or Dr Ben, both highly experienced.

Would you like to know more?

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Implanon NXT® (Hormonal Arm Implant)

What it is

  • Small flexible rod inserted under skin in the upper arm, providing 3 years of contraception.

Process

  • Pre-consultation to discuss suitability and get script.

  • Quick (5-minute), gentle insertion/removal under local anaesthetic.

  • Removal only • insertion only • removal & insertion in one visit.

  • Extra comfort options available if you’re needle-nervous.

Who You’ll See

  • Dr Asma, Dr Ben, Dr Manny, or one of our friendly visiting GPs.

Would you like to know more?

  • Family Planning Victoria – Copper IUD factsheet

    • https://www.fpv.org.au/for-you/contraception-options/intrauterine-devices-iuds

  • health.gov.au – Long-acting contraception overview

    • https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/review-of-long-acting-reversible-contraceptives-larc

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Short-Acting Contraception

What it is

  • Pills (combined or mini-pill), NuvaRing®, Depo-Provera® injection, condoms.

Importance of regular check-ups

  • Blood pressure and health checks every 6-12 months (especially “the pill”/ring).

  • Depo-Provera recommended short-term only (≤2 years) due to potential bone-density impact – please speak to your regular GP to discuss if ongoing Depo is right for you.

  • Regular review of side-effects, mood, weight, or bleeding changes important for your health.

Who You’ll See

  • Dr. Asma or any Oaktree GP

Would you like to know more?

  • Healthdirect – Contraception options

    • https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/birth-control-options

  • Jean Hailes – Choosing the right pill

    • https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/contraception/the-pill

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Emergency Contraception

  • Morning-after pill (effective within 3-5 days). Available directly from Pharmacy

Process

  • Call reception for urgent appointment and ask to speak to the Nurse directly.

Would you like to know more?

  • Healthdirect – Emergency contraception FAQs

    • https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/emergency-contraception

  • NSW Health – Copper IUD for emergency contraception

    • https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/families/Pages/emergency-contraception.aspx

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Medical Termination (MS-2 Step®) – (prior to 9 weeks)

What it is

  • Safe two-tablet regimen to end pregnancy at home (legal up to 9 weeks/63 days gestation in QLD).

Process

  • Pre-consultation with ultrasound and blood tests,

  • Consultation to discuss Ultrasound and bloods - receive script.

  • Follow-up blood test or telehealth after one week.

  • Immediate contraception (IUD, implant, injection) available at time of procedure.

  • Beyond 9 weeks: urgent referral to Mackay Base Hospital or private services.

Who You’ll See

  • Small, specially-trained group of compassionate doctors. Reception will discreetly guide you.

Support person welcome-let reception know when booking.

Would you like to know more?

  • MS Health – MS-2 Step consumer information

    • https://www.mshealth.com.au/consumers/ms-2-step/

  • Queensland Health – Pregnancy options line

    • https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/clinical-staff/sexual-health/options

  • Children by Choice – Abortion services in QLD

    • https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/pregnancy-options/abortion/

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Barrier & Natural Methods

  • External (male) condoms

  • Internal (female) condoms

  • Diaphragm

These methods provide moderate pregnancy protection and help reduce the risk of STIs when used correctly.

We do not recommend fertility-awareness methods (cycle tracking, withdrawal, LAM) as primary contraception due to their lower effectiveness and higher risk of unintended pregnancy and STI exposure.

Would you like to know more?

Permanent Contraception Referrals

  • Vasectomy for male partners (local referrals to Mackay General Surgeon Dr. Christian Connors who comes out to Moranbah and this procedure is able to be performed at Oaktree).

  • Tubal ligation via Mackay Base Hospital or private gynaecologist.

Would you like to know more?

  • Queensland Vasectomy Clinic - Vasectomy info

  • Queensland Health - Tubal ligation details

After-care & Important Signs – For all procedures or treatment

  • Normal: mild cramps, spotting, mild bruising.

  • Call us immediately if: fever, severe pain, heavy bleeding (>1 pad/hr), foul discharge or pregnancy symptoms after procedure.

Costs & Medicare

  • Consult 1: Discussion and suitability (all procedures) (Incurs Fee)

  • Consult 2: Results or Procedure (Incurs Fee)

  • Medicare rebates apply but an out of pocket cost is generally incurred. (Typically between all services (at Oaktree, ultrasounds etc may incur a further cost) ranging from $100-$650 total cost without rebate over 1-3 services and follow-ups - this is a general price guide, please contact for full quote)

  • Billing Consideration available for teens & concession-card holders.

  • Device and medication costs usually discounted through the PBS scheme (pharmacy script fees apply - Devices between $20-100, Ms2step can be upwards of $400 if non-medicare).

Teens & Confidential Care

  • Teens can book confidentially and independently. Your privacy is protected. Please ask to speak to a nurse if you are worried about family issues and we will do out best to assist you during this stressful time – whether that’s getting contraception or pregnancy decisions.

  • Ensure that your medical record phone number is your personal phone number and your email is your email and advise us to remove any ‘childhood’ authority or billing parents from your list (We will also ask you during this time however good for you to be aware)

  • Supportive discussions on periods, sex, consent, pregnancy decisions.

  • Cervical self-swabs available from age 25.

Appointment Process (general rule):

  1. Booking - online or phone; discreet and supportive.

  2. Pre-consultation - 3-7 days before, discuss suitability and get script.

  3. Procedure - bring your device/medication; pain relief available.

  4. Follow-up - six-week IUD check or one-week termination follow-up blood test.

  5. Aftercare – Reserved emergency slots and ongoing AMS Connect reminders.