Implants

The contraceptive implant is often known as Implanon®, Nexplanon® and 'the rod.' 

It's a small plastic rod placed under the skin of your upper arm.

It slowly releases a low dose of the hormone progesterone, to stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

It's inserted by a specially trained doctor or nurse, and can be easily removed.

Your period may change or it may stop altogether.

You can buy it from a pharmacy with a script. 

It's safe to use while breastfeeding and is not affected by other medications.

More information:
Better Health Channel
Sexual Health Victoria

Hormonal IUD

The hormonal IUDs available in Australia are often known as the Mirena™ or the new Kyleena™.

It's a small, T-shaped, plastic device inserted into your uterus, with a fine nylon thread attached to it. You can check for this thread high up inside your vagina.

It slowly releases a low, steady amount of progestogen into your uterus.

It must be inserted by a specially trained doctor or nurse.

You can buy it from a pharmacy with a prescription.

Your period may become lighter, stop completely or be less painful.

It's safe to use while breastfeeding and is not affected by other medications.

More information:
Better Health Channel
Sexual Health Victoria

Copper IUD

Copper IUDs are small, T-shaped contraceptive devices inserted into the uterus. It has a fine nylon thread attached to it, which you can feel high up inside your vagina.

It does not contain hormones, and constantly releases a small amount of copper into the uterus.

It must be inserted by a trained doctor or nurse.

You can buy it from a pharmacy, with a prescription.

Your period may become heavier initially, and then settle with time.

It's safe to use while breastfeeding, and is not affected by other medications.

The Copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception instead of the emergency contraceptive pill, if inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.

More information: 
Better Health Channel
Sexual Health Victoria