Family planning is about more than choosing your most appropriate method of birth control. Practitioners know that while contraception plays a vital role, it’s just one part of the picture.

If you’re not ready for parenthood, your doctor can advise you on choosing the contraceptive method that suits your medical history, lifestyle and needs.

When you are ready to have a baby, they can help you prepare for and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Your GP can also provide caring, professional support to address fertility and sexual health concerns including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Choosing Contraception

Your birth control options include:

• Oral contraceptives
• Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs)
• Implants
• Diaphragms, caps and vagina rings
• Contraceptive injections and patches
• Emergency contraception
• Permanent contraception or sterilization using implants or tubal ligation
• Natural family planning

Your doctor can help you make an informed choice by discussing the advantages and risks associated with your preferred options.

Family Planning Victoria’s ‘Contraceptive options: Which one is best for me?’ has an overview of the most commonly used birth control methods.

Book a pre-pregnancy health check

Once you decide to have a baby, make the most of your ‘preconception period’. This is a period around three months before you plan to conceive. It’s an excellent time to review your health and make any lifestyle changes for you and your partner that may help boost fertility and support a healthy pregnancy.

Your pre-pregnancy health check is an opportunity to discuss health concerns, ask questions and have a range of important tests.  If you have a medical condition, your pre-pregnancy checkup is a chance to also discuss any special care you may need during pregnancy.

 Ready for the parenting adventure? Book a pre-pregnancy health check now.

Addressing fertility issues

If you are having difficulty conceiving, your doctor can assess you, or you and your partner for things that may be causing problems. Once these assessments are complete, we can advise you on what to do next.

Your Fertility has information and resources for people planning to conceive, including these pre-conception checklists. 

 Have concerns about your fertility? Discuss them with your general practitioner.

Supporting sexual health

General Practitioners are skilled and sensitive in dealing with sexual health problems. If you’re worried about having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) please don’t hesitate to ask for help.

A sexual health check-up usually involves a urine test and some STIs can be identified and treated immediately.

Find out more about diagnosing and treating STIs.

Worried that you have an STI? Speak to your doctor.

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