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Melbourne: Difference between revisions
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Replaced 'birth control' with 'oral contraception' and updated spelling to local spelling and removed typos
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In Australia, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at pharmacies. However, you need a prescription to obtain most other forms of contraception, such as | In Australia, you can purchase condoms without a prescription at pharmacies. However, you need a prescription to obtain most other forms of contraception, such as oral contraception pills, implants, injectables, and IUDs.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth?]</ref> To receive a prescription, you'll typically need to schedule a consultation with a General Practitioner (GP). The consultations are pretty straight-forward and don't usually require pelvic exams. There is an incredibly wide range of contraceptives available, though it should be noted that contraceptive patches are not available in Australia, as of February 2019. It is estimated that 67%-70% of Australian women of fertility age (who are married or in unions) use some form of contraception,<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide, 2015]</ref> without about 24% of Australian women on oral contraceptives. | ||
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* You can receive '''contraceptive | * You can receive '''contraceptive counselling''' at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia]. These are appointments where patients discuss their health issues and concerns to help determine which contraceptive method is best for them. You can also check out the [https://www.contraception.org.au/ Contraception website], which lets you know what contraception methods are available in Australia, and what their efficacy is. | ||
* If you want '''condoms''', they're easy to purchase at supermarkets, chemists/pharmacies, convenience stores and petrol stations. If you're looking for free condoms, check out Frontyard Youth Service, which is at 19 King Street (near Flinders Lane). Phone: 03 9611 2411 or Freecall: 1800 800 531. There's also [http://www.redaware.org.au/sexual-health-information/ Red Aware]: "If you live in Australia, you can receive a free safe sex kit with condoms tin, and awesome safe sex ... Would you like to sign up to receive a free RedAware safe sex kit?" | * If you want '''condoms''', they're easy to purchase at supermarkets, chemists/pharmacies, convenience stores and petrol stations. If you're looking for free condoms, check out Frontyard Youth Service, which is at 19 King Street (near Flinders Lane). Phone: 03 9611 2411 or Freecall: 1800 800 531. There's also [http://www.redaware.org.au/sexual-health-information/ Red Aware]: "If you live in Australia, you can receive a free safe sex kit with condoms tin, and awesome safe sex ... Would you like to sign up to receive a free RedAware safe sex kit?" | ||
* If you're interested in ''' | * If you're interested in '''oral contraception pills''', you will need to consult with a doctor for a prescription. Alternatively, you can consult a women's clinic or an NGO, like [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], to consult with a healthcare professional and obtain your prescription. Once you have a prescription, you'll find a wide variety of oral contraception pills available in Australia with over 30 brands registered.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AU IPFF Australia]</ref> Here are some places where you can get a consultation: | ||
** [https://www.thewomens.org.au/ The Royal Women's Hospital]: "The Women’s is Australia’s first and largest specialist hospital dedicated to improving the health of all women and newborns." Address: 20 Flemington Rd, Parkville, Victoria. Main Reception Phone: (03) 8345 2000. | ** [https://www.thewomens.org.au/ The Royal Women's Hospital]: "The Women’s is Australia’s first and largest specialist hospital dedicated to improving the health of all women and newborns." Address: 20 Flemington Rd, Parkville, Victoria. Main Reception Phone: (03) 8345 2000. | ||
** [http://www.fpv.org.au/ Family Planning Victoria]: Address: 901 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia. Hours: Open today · 9AM–5PM. Phone: +61 3 9257 0100 | ** [http://www.fpv.org.au/ Family Planning Victoria]: Address: 901 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128, Australia. Hours: Open today · 9AM–5PM. Phone: +61 3 9257 0100 | ||
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** [http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/Shop-Online/PS-1788/Oral-Contraceptives The Chemist Warehouse]: We don't know much about this company but they sell oral contraceptives (Levlen, Trifeme, Microlut, Monofeme, Nordette, Microgynon) and IUDs (Mirena). They claim to be "Australia's #1 Online Pharmacy" and have free shipping for orders over $99. | ** [http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/Shop-Online/PS-1788/Oral-Contraceptives The Chemist Warehouse]: We don't know much about this company but they sell oral contraceptives (Levlen, Trifeme, Microlut, Monofeme, Nordette, Microgynon) and IUDs (Mirena). They claim to be "Australia's #1 Online Pharmacy" and have free shipping for orders over $99. | ||
* As for '''IUDs''', you can get them at various clinics and health care facilities, such as [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia]. | * As for '''IUDs''', you can get them at various clinics and health care facilities, such as [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia]. | ||
** One female | ** One female traveller wrote about the Mirena that they got in Australia: "It lasts up to 5 years, needs to be fitted by an OBGYN (some charge to put it in, some don't), costs about $40 to buy the IUD if you have a Medicare card and about $245 if you don't." | ||
** | ** "Many people are inclined to get their IUD with their GP, however, we strongly recommend that they do with a proceduralist, like Marie Stopes Australia. Many GPs haven’t performed an insertion at all, or don’t perform them regularly and this makes the risk of perforation or other side effects much higher. A proceduralist, like Marie Stopes or Family Planning, are people who specialise in doing the insertion and removal of contraception and might perform it up to 10 times a day, so they're going to be much more skilled at minimising pain and the risk of side effects." | ||
* If you want a '''contraceptive implant''', you can find Implanon in Australia.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AU IPFF Australia]</ref> | * If you want a '''contraceptive implant''', you can find Implanon in Australia.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AU IPFF Australia]</ref> | ||
* If you want a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can find Depo-Provera and Depo-Ralovera in Australia.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AU IPFF Australia]</ref> | * If you want a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can find Depo-Provera and Depo-Ralovera in Australia.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AU IPFF Australia]</ref> | ||
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* For ''' | * For '''oral contraception pills,''' you may pay $3-6 for a month supply if you’re eligible for a green Medicare card. Most oral contraceptives in Australia come in boxes of 4-month supply. | ||
* For '''condoms''', if you're a young person, you should look into the Condom Credit Card, which is "a friendly, confidential way for young people to get FREE condoms! Simply go to | * For '''condoms''', if you're a young person, you should look into the Condom Credit Card, which is "a friendly, confidential way for young people to get FREE condoms! Simply go to a service that displays the CCCard posters and ask for your own CCCard. Then you can to receive free condoms every time you present your CCCard at a registered provider." For more information about the Condom Credit Card, visit the [https://www.fpnsw.org.au/media-news/news-events/health-promotion-projects/condom-credit-card-project NSW website] or the [http://www.bettertoknow.org.au/AMS Aboriginal Medical Services website]. | ||
* For an '''IUD''', costs will vary, depending on whether your health coverage. If you're not covered, you can expect to pay around $100 for the insertion procedure, plus the additional cost of the IUD device (which is around $200 without sedation and around $450 with sedation), at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], as of November 2018. | * For an '''IUD''', costs will vary, depending on whether your health coverage. If you're not covered, you can expect to pay around $100 for the insertion procedure, plus the additional cost of the IUD device (which is around $200 without sedation and around $450 with sedation), at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], as of November 2018. | ||
* For a '''contraceptive implant''', you can expect to pay around $100 for the insertion procedure, plus the additional cost of the implanted device (around $100), at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], as of November 2018. | * For a '''contraceptive implant''', you can expect to pay around $100 for the insertion procedure, plus the additional cost of the implanted device (around $100), at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], as of November 2018. | ||
* For a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can expect to pay $90 for the injection | * For a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can expect to pay $90 for the injection and $30 for necessary medications at [https://www.mariestopes.org.au/ Marie Stopes Australia], as of November 2018. | ||
* One Australian wrote, "I am from Queensland (Gold Coast) and have Medicare so costs might be a bit different. Levlen cost $10-12 ish (for a box of 4 x 28 pills). The Implanon (without Medicare) was about $200 and with Medicare about $30 plus I had to go to a clinic to have a doctor put it in. Average cost of doctor's visit in Australia (without Medicare) is $60-80." | * One Australian wrote, "I am from Queensland (Gold Coast) and have Medicare so costs might be a bit different. Levlen cost $10-12 ish (for a box of 4 x 28 pills). The Implanon (without Medicare) was about $200 and with Medicare about $30 plus I had to go to a clinic to have a doctor put it in. Average cost of doctor's visit in Australia (without Medicare) is $60-80." | ||
* '''Important Tip''': If you qualify, you may want to get a Medicare Card and look into Bulk Billing, which is a payment option under Australia's Medicare system. When the health service provider (e.g. doctor) bills the government (via the patient's Medicare card), the provider is paid 85% of the scheduled fee for outpatient services and 75% of the scheduled fee for inpatient services by the government. This allows the service provider to receive a fixed proportion of the scheduled fee and avoid debt collection. And, as a patient, this means you may not be charged anything. | * '''Important Tip''': If you qualify, you may want to get a Medicare Card and look into Bulk Billing, which is a payment option under Australia's Medicare system. When the health service provider (e.g. doctor) bills the government (via the patient's Medicare card), the provider is paid 85% of the scheduled fee for outpatient services and 75% of the scheduled fee for inpatient services by the government. This allows the service provider to receive a fixed proportion of the scheduled fee and avoid debt collection. And, as a patient, this means you may not be charged anything. | ||