Contraception Explained: What’s the Best Option for You and Your Partner?

We’ve partnered with Youly to help provide faster, online access to women’s health and medicine.

When it comes to contraception, there are lots — and lots — of options to choose from. The science around reproductive health is growing all the time, even if women’s reproductive rights are threatened or antiquated, so now it’s more important than ever to find a contraceptive method that aligns with your individual lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to prevent unintended pregnancies, manage hormonal imbalances, or simply take control of your reproductive health, understanding what’s available to you can be a crucial hurdle to overcome.

Youly, an online platform that tailors exclusively to women’s health, is a great way to get access to a wide range of contraceptive options and learn information. Not only can you be assured you’re getting advice and prescriptions from trusted doctors and nurse practitioners, it can all be done from the privacy of your own home — from consultation to delivery.

But, as we said, there are plenty of contraceptive options to go through. Youly has you covered for long-term treatment, or if you’re in a bind, but which option is best for you?

Contraceptive Pill

The pill plays a big role in the sex lives of pretty much everyone, but getting access to it can be irritating and troublesome. Anyone who wants to take the pill is just looking after themselves and doing what’s right by them, after all. Obstacles like lack of access, or even being shamed for being on it in the first place, shouldn’t be thing people need to worry about when looking after themselves and their reproductive health.

The contraceptive pill is a brilliant way to prevent pregnancy regardless of your relationship status, but it only works if you can commit. You have to take it every day for it to be effective. It’s also crucial to understand that it isn’t a foolproof contraceptive option (it’s 99% effective, but accidents can still happen) and that protection isn’t immediate. Depending on where you are in your cycle, you might have to wait up to a fortnight before giving up other contraceptive methods.

There’s also a wide range of brands, and not all of them will work for you. It’s a process, one that changes as your body does. Youly understands that, and stocks a myriad of brands to choose from, meaning they can support you as you undergo that process. To access Youly’s range, all you have to do is fill out a few questions, wait for a clinician to contact you to confirm your eligibility (no longer than 24 hours, but most cases much sooner) and you’ll be on your way. The best part? Youly will handle your repeats, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to get a new batch dispensed.

Morning After Pill

Accidents happen, and so do emergencies. Even if you consider yourself the most prepared and organised person on the planet, slip-ups can still happen. In case you’re not actively taking or using any other long-term contraception, but you need that extra assurance, the morning after pill can offer you that peace of mind you need if taken under the direction and consultation with a pharmacist and you share all relevant information.

Youly are the first to provide a delivery service for emergency contraception in Australia, offering delivery in as little as two hours for the morning after pill. In fact, once you answer a simple online questionnaire, a pharmacist will be in contact with you within 20 minutes and, pending the pharmacist determines the morning after pill is safe for you, it’ll be on the way to your front door. This speed of delivery is crucial, as the sooner you take the morning after pill, the more effective it is.

Vaginal Ring

Now, oral medication isn’t the only contraceptive route to take, nor is it the only delivery contraceptive service Youly provides. The Youly team are also able to prescribe and deliver vaginal rings — soft, plastic rings that you can insert yourself and release hormones that are absorbed through the vagina walls and are able to prevent pregnancy. Most women don’t even feel it, and you can keep it in for three weeks at time (that means not having to remember to take the pill).

However, the vaginal ring still requires some diligence. You must take it out to allow for your period, and then replace it with a new one. But, just like with the pill, Youly handle all repeats so you won’t have to worry about letting it slip your mind.

There are some things to consider, though. Due to the nature of telehealth consults, Youly can only prescribe vaginal rings to those who have been prescribed them previously, through a GP. Additionally, before requesting it, you will need to know your blood pressure (most pharmacies will allow you to check yours free of charge). These are all necessary measures to make sure the vaginal ring is safe for you to use, but still important to take note of.

For more information on managing your reproductive health, or to learn about other services Youly provide, head to Youly‘s website here.