'That's half the story': Why it's important to know contraception is about more than sex
By Bronte Gossling|
For something that impacts over 80 per cent of women in Australia at some point in their lifetime, contraception is woefully misunderstood, and as lockdown continues, as does the barriers that people who are looking for contraception face when searching for effective and convenient contraceptives for their specific body and lifestyle.
"COVID-19 lockdown has disrupted our lives in so many ways and contraceptive access has been one of the casualties," says sexual health physician Dr Terri Foran.
"Some women have been reluctant to see their usual doctor or nurse for ongoing reproductive care and many health services have reduced the number of face-to-face appointments needed for methods such as implants and IUDs.
"But with growing freedom comes the chance to reassess our contraceptive needs and to take some control."
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Getting the full story
Sydney medical student Vanessa is no stranger to the vague gesticulation that often occurs in discussions surrounding contraception.
When she was 19, she sought out her GP for information and advice on her contraceptive options. He referred her to a gynecologist.
"Growing up, contraception was always about, how can you protect yourself from being pregnant? And I've always felt like that's half the story," Vanessa tells 9Honey.
"No one really thinks about it in terms of taking control of your period and your own body and getting to explore that in any way you want. And I feel that that's a really important factor when it comes to contraception."
Prior to going on the pill almost seven years ago, Vanessa says she knew about it to some extent, but contraception was taught to her in high school within the context of sex only กช never touching on how it holistically can be used.
"When I was in high school, sexual education was very pill versus condom focused, and the onus was on us to do our own research and learn about our options," Vanessa, who is now 26, says.
"The pill is so common that women genuinely think it's their only option. It's really hard to make those decisions, especially when you're younger, if you don't know what's out there."
According to Pureprofile and Bayer Australia, Vanessa wasn't alone in this regard. Only 52 per cent of women in Australia believe they have a true understanding of all the contraception options available to them, and 30 per cent have used the same brand and type of contraception since they first started having sex.
Part of the reason Vanessa was prescribed the pill over half a decade ago was due to issues with her period กช they were heavy and irregular กช and lockdown enabled her to reassess her options, which is when she decided to try a hormonal IUD.
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One in three women are unsatisfied with their current contraception, but over half missed their last contraceptive review
Although she sees her friends struggle with taking their pill on time due to shift work or forgetting it in a different bag, she is the first one of the group to make the switch.
"It was scary being the first out of my close female friends getting an IUD, even though I knew all the facts," Vanessa tells 9Honey.
"It's so scary to go against the social grain and what's comfortable and what's good. I can definitely understand the fear behind it when you know it's something that growing up wasn't ever really discussed."
Vanessa is, however, appreciative of the fact that she changed her contraceptive method, as it was "definitely the right choice" for her.
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"World Contraception Day should remind us that we don't have to settle for a contraceptive method that is just 'OK' when we can work with a trusted health professional to help us find the one that suits us best," Dr Foran says.
Pureprofile and Bayer Australia's research revealed that 31 per cent of women are unsatisfied with their current type of contraception, 22 per cent find it a hassle, and 47 per cent of women admit they either forget to take their pill regularly or don't like having to remember to take it. At the same time, 56 per cent of women say they missed their last contraception review.
"Contraception is not a 'one-size-fits-all' approach and a woman's circumstance continues to evolve throughout their life," says gynecologist and obstetrician Dr Gino Pecoraro.
"This means what may have been a good option previously may not be the best method now."
Sunday, September 26 is World Contraception Day, where Australian women are urged to take back control, review their contraception and be empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions around what contraceptive is right for them. Complete the questionnaire to see what contraception is right for your body and lifestyle.
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