Women’s Health: When Contraception or Hormonal Health Needs Change
On this page
- Choosing contraception
- Comparing contraception options
- Family planning
- Could you be approaching perimenopause?
- Life after menopause
Contraception, family planning and perimenopause can bring up questions at different times, particularly when your circumstances, symptoms or priorities change. These questions can also overlap, particularly when contraception and changing periods are involved.
Knowing your options can make the next conversation about your health much more useful.
Choosing contraception: what’s right for you?
There isn’t one contraceptive option that suits everyone. When reviewing contraception, some of the useful questions include:
- Would you prefer a daily method or something longer-lasting?
- Are you planning a pregnancy in the future?
- Could changes to your periods be important to you?
- Have you experienced side effects or other problems with contraception before?
- How soon would you like the option of becoming pregnant after stopping contraception?
- Does your medical history affect which options are suitable?
Healthdirect offers a useful guide to contraception options if you want to see the broader range available.
Contraception options at a glance
The following section is designed as a simple comparison table.
| Option | How it’s used | How often? | Hormonal? |
| Hormonal IUD, (Kyleena, Mirena) | Inserted into the uterus | Up to 5 or 8 years | Yes |
| Copper IUD | Inserted into the uterus | Up to 5 or 10 years | No |
| Contraceptive implant, including Implanon | Inserted under the skin of the upper arm | Up to 3 years | Yes |
| Contraceptive pill | Tablet taken regularly | Daily | Depends on type |
| Contraceptive injection Vaginal Ring (Nuvaring) | Injection Inserted into Vagina | Every 3 months Every 3 weeks | Yes Yes |
| Condoms | Used during sex | Each time | No |
The table is a starting point rather than a recommendation. Health, preferences, pregnancy plans, side effects and other factors can affect which methods are appropriate.
Mirena, Kyleena and Implanon: Common questions
Mirena, Kyleena and Implanon are both long-acting reversible contraceptives, but they’re used differently.
Mirena, Kyleena is a hormonal IUD placed inside the uterus, while Implanon is a contraceptive implant placed under the skin of the upper arm.
Yes. Both are reversible methods and can be removed by an appropriately trained health professional.
Yes. Hormonal contraception can change bleeding patterns, although the changes differ between methods and between individuals.
No. Unlike a daily contraceptive pill, an IUD or implant remains in place for longer-term contraception.
Sale Medical Centre provides IUD consultations, insertion and removal, including consultations where you can discuss whether an IUD is appropriate and what the procedure involves.
If you’re unsure which appointment to book for an IUD consultation, insertion or removal, please contact Sale Medical Centre reception so we can help arrange the appropriate appointment.
To discuss contraception or women’s health with a female GP/NP (Nurse Practitioner), you can view our GPs and their clinical interests.
Thinking about pregnancy? What to discuss before trying
If you’re thinking about trying for a baby, there are a few things worth checking before you stop contraception. A pre-pregnancy appointment can cover:
- your current medications and whether any need reviewing
- existing health conditions that may affect pregnancy
- recommended vaccinations
- folic acid and iodine supplementation
- when to stop your current contraception and what to expect afterwards
It’s also an opportunity to raise questions about fertility, previous pregnancies or anything else that may affect your pregnancy care.
Could you be approaching perimenopause?
Contraception can raise new questions as you approach perimenopause.
Pregnancy is still possible, while changing periods and other symptoms can make it harder to know what’s related to perimenopause, your contraception or something else.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause
Hover or tap on any card to learn more about each symptom.
Periods changing
Tap to flip ➔Periods changing
Periods may become less predictable, heavier, lighter, longer or shorter than usual.
Hot flushes or night sweats
Tap to flip ➔Hot flushes or night sweats
Sudden feelings of heat, sweating or night sweats are common during perimenopause.
Sleep changes
Tap to flip ➔Sleep changes
You may find it harder to fall asleep, wake during the night or notice that your sleep quality has changed.
Mood changes
Tap to flip ➔Mood changes
Irritability, anxiety or changes in mood can occur, including symptoms that feel different from your usual patterns.
Memory or concentration
Tap to flip ➔Memory or concentration
Some women notice forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or the feeling commonly described as “brain fog”.
Vaginal or urinary changes
Tap to flip ➔Vaginal or urinary changes
Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, urinary symptoms or recurrent urinary tract infections can occur as hormone levels change.
These symptoms can have other causes too, so they shouldn’t automatically be assumed to be perimenopause. If you’re unsure what’s happening or when to see a doctor, the Australian Government has a useful guide to getting help during perimenopause and menopause.
ABC News: What is Menopause, and when do I know I have it?
This five-minute ABC News explainer covers what happens during the menopause transition, common symptoms and when they can begin.
Life after menopause
Menopause marks the end of menstrual periods, but changes in health and wellbeing can continue afterwards. Some symptoms may settle over time, while others can persist or develop later, with experiences varying from woman to woman.
There are a few things worth knowing about life after menopause:
- Vaginal and urinary health: Dryness, discomfort during sex and urinary symptoms can continue or develop after menopause.
- Bone health: Lower oestrogen levels can contribute to bone loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Heart health: Cardiovascular risk increases with age, making blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors worth reviewing.
- Unexpected bleeding: Any vaginal bleeding after menopause should be assessed by a healthcare professional, even if it’s only spotting.
Women’s health in Sale, Victoria
Our Women’s Health services include contraception and family planning, IUD consultations, insertion and removal, pregnancy care, and menopause and perimenopause support.
Several GPs and members of the nursing team have a clinical interest in women’s health. You can view our practitioner profiles to find out more about their clinical interests and qualifications.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which contraception is right for me?
The options depend on factors including your health, preferences, pregnancy plans, how long you want contraception to last and how different methods may affect you.
What’s the difference between Mirena, Kyleena and Implanon?
Mirena and Kyleena’s are hormonal IUDs placed in the uterus. Implanon is a hormonal contraceptive implant placed under the skin of the upper arm. Both provide longer-term reversible contraception.
Can an IUD be removed if I change my mind?
Yes. IUDs are reversible. Sale Medical Centre provides IUD consultations, insertion and removal.
Do I still need contraception during perimenopause?
Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause. When you can stop contraception depends on factors including your age, periods and the contraception you use, so it’s worth discussing this with your GP/NP.
Is there a test for perimenopause?
Perimenopause is often assessed based on your age, menstrual changes, symptoms and medical history rather than one test alone. Testing may be appropriate in some circumstances.
When should I discuss menopause symptoms with a GP/NP?
Speak with a GP/NP when symptoms such as changes to your periods, hot flushes, sleep problems or mood changes are affecting your daily life, or if you’re unsure whether the changes you’re experiencing are related to perimenopause.