Contraception · Choosing an option
Choosing contraception with help from a GP
You can begin with a method in mind or ask the GP where to start. The useful question is not which option is best for everyone, but which trade-offs matter in your health and everyday life.
Can an online GP help me compare contraception options?
Yes. A HerDoc GP is an appropriate person to help you compare contraception options. The GP can consider what matters to you, what you have used before and your relevant health information, then explain which next steps can happen through telehealth and which need a health check or face-to-face procedure.
Begin with what matters to you
Pregnancy prevention may be your main goal, but it does not have to be the only one. You may also care about periods, privacy, ease of use, not having to remember something often, reversibility, side effects or future pregnancy plans.
Choose the priorities that matter to you rather than working through a compulsory checklist. If two priorities pull in different directions, that is useful information for the GP conversation.
Think about your past experience
If you have used contraception before, consider what suited you and what did not. Note any bleeding changes, headaches, mood changes, skin changes, pain, difficulty using the method consistently or other symptoms, without deciding on your own what caused them.
Have your medicines and supplements handy. Tell the GP about relevant diagnoses, allergies, pregnancy possibility, recent birth or breastfeeding, and any health information that has changed since your last contraception discussion.
Compare the differences that affect everyday life
Options differ in how often you need to remember them, how they may affect bleeding, whether they also reduce STI risk, how easily they can be stopped or reversed, and whether a fitting or procedure is involved. No one option is universally best.
Healthdirect provides detailed information about individual contraception options. Bring any options or questions that interest you to the GP and discuss how they fit your health, priorities and everyday life.
Turn preferences into useful questions
You might ask:
The answers may help you rule options in or out, but the final discussion still depends on your individual health and circumstances.
- How often would I need to remember or arrange something?
- How might the option affect bleeding or periods?
- Does it need a current check, fitting or procedure?
- What health information or current measurements matter?
- How quickly could I change course if it did not suit me?
- Does it help reduce STI risk, or would I need separate protection?
A check or procedure may shape the next step
Some options require current health information, a measurement, testing, an examination or a procedure. A phone appointment cannot take a blood-pressure reading, perform pregnancy or STI testing, or complete a fitting, insertion or removal.
If pregnancy may already be possible, or you have severe pain, significant bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, severe chest pain or severe breathing difficulty, seek timely medical advice rather than treating this as a routine comparison question. Call 000 for an emergency.
Related pages
FAQs
Can an online GP help me choose contraception?
Yes. A HerDoc GP can help you clarify your priorities, compare the differences that matter to you and identify what information or next step is needed. You can bring a particular option to the conversation or ask where to begin.
What if I do not have a particular method in mind?
That is completely reasonable. Begin with what you want contraception to do, what would be manageable in daily life and any concerns from past experience. The GP can use those priorities to narrow the discussion.
What personal priorities can I discuss with the GP?
You can discuss pregnancy prevention, periods, side effects, privacy, convenience, reversibility, future plans and how often you want to think about contraception. You only need to raise the priorities that matter to you.
How can I compare how well different contraception options work?
Ask the GP to explain effectiveness in both ideal use and everyday use, because remembering or arranging a method can affect results. Healthdirect provides current comparison information that you can use alongside the GP conversation.
Can I consider how a method may affect my periods?
Yes. Different methods can make bleeding lighter, heavier, less predictable or absent, and experiences vary between people. Tell the GP what your periods are usually like and whether changing them is a benefit, concern or both.
How should I compare possible side effects?
Ask about the common and important effects relevant to the options you are considering, as well as what would warrant review. A symptom can have more than one cause, so personal advice should take account of your history rather than assuming contraception is responsible.
What if I want to become pregnant in the future?
Tell the GP whether future pregnancy is an important consideration and whether you have a rough timeframe in mind. They can explain how reversibility and the need for a removal procedure differ between options.
Can I discuss privacy, convenience or difficulty remembering contraception?
Yes. These practical details are legitimate parts of choosing an option. Explain what would be discreet, affordable to manage and realistic for you to remember or arrange.
Does my age or life stage affect the conversation?
It can, but age alone does not choose contraception for you. The GP may also consider your health, periods, pregnancy plans, recent birth, breastfeeding and how your circumstances may change.
Why might the GP ask about migraines, blood pressure, smoking or blood clots?
These details can change the risks and checks relevant to some options. Give the GP the most accurate information you have, and ask what it means for the choices under discussion.
Can other medicines or supplements affect contraception choices?
Yes. Some medicines and supplements can affect how a contraception option works or whether it warrants consideration. Have a complete list handy and do not stop another medicine without individual advice.
Can I discuss contraception after giving birth or while breastfeeding?
Yes. Tell the GP when you gave birth, whether you are breastfeeding, any complications or ongoing symptoms, and what matters to you now. Timing and health information can affect the options worth discussing.
Can I start the conversation if I have never used contraception before?
Yes. You are not expected to know the terminology or arrive with a preferred method. The GP can explain broad choices in plain language and help you identify the questions that matter next.
Will I need a pregnancy test, blood-pressure reading or another health check?
Possibly, depending on the option and the information already available. The GP should explain which check is relevant and where it can be completed; telehealth itself cannot perform the measurement or test.
When might choosing contraception require a face-to-face appointment?
Face-to-face care is needed for a physical examination or procedure and may be recommended when current measurements or local assessment are important. Severe symptoms, significant bleeding or pregnancy-related concerns should be assessed promptly rather than waiting for a routine choice discussion.