You can now get oral contraception (also known as 'the pill') at your local Blooms The Chemist.
There are many different types of oral contraception available, but the type you use is your choice and working with your doctor or Pharmacist can help you understand which option is right for you.
Here are three things you need to know about oral contraception.
Contraception has side effects if not taken properly2.
Your Pharmacist can only renew a select range of contraception without a script2.
You can still get emergency contraception (known as ‘The Morning After Pill’) without a prescription2.
Visit your local Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist to renew your hormonal contraception script today.
Please note that this service is only available in participating NSW and VIC Blooms The Chemist pharmacies.
*Queensland Health, North Queensland Community pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot - Pilot Services document, accessed 27 February 2022.
2Health Direct, Contraception options, accessed 27 February 2022.
What is oral contraception?
Contraception protects you from getting pregnant and works so an egg can’t be fertilised by sperm to produce a baby1.
Different methods of contraception may suit you at different stages of your life, but there are a range of options that you can choose from.
You also need to consider the side effects, the cost and the pain involved with your chosen type of contraception.
Hormonal contraception is a contraceptive method that contains a range of hormones that can stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill.
References
1Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023
What are the side effects of oral contraception?
Some side effects that occur with hormonal contraception include1:
-
Irregular periods or spotting (light bleeding) between periods
-
Lighter or skipped periods
-
Less painful periods
-
Mood changes
-
Nausea
-
Headaches
-
Changes to your skin
References
1Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023
What is the eligibility criteria for re-supply of oral contraception in NSW and Victoria?
If you live in NSW, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria1:
- Female between the ages of 18 to 35 (inclusive)
- Have been prescribed or supplied the oral contraceptive pill by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner in the previous 24 months and
- The use of oral contraceptive has been continuous
If you live in Victoria, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria2:
- Female between the ages of 16 to 50 (inclusive)
- Have been prescribed or supplied the oral contraceptive pill by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner in the previous 24 months and
- The use of oral contraceptive has been continuous
References
1University of Newcastle, NSW Community Pharmacy Trials, accessed 28 September 2023
2Victorian Department of Health, Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, accessed 27 October 2023
What oral contraceptives are included in the trial in NSW and Victoria?
In NSW, Pharmacists are able to resupply some Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (COC) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP or the mini-pill).
Participiating Pharmacists can only resupply pills that contain the following types of estrogen and progestogen1:
- ethinyloestradiol (40μg or less)
- levonorgestrel
- norethisterone
- drospirenone (single ingredient preparations only)
In VIC, Pharmacists are able to resupply some Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (COC) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP or the mini-pill). Participating Pharmacists can only resupply pills that contain the following types of estrogen and progestogen2:
- ethinyloestradiol (40μg or less)
- estradiol
- levonorgestrel
- norethisterone
- nomegestrol
- desogestrel
- dienogest
- drospirenone
- gestodene
- cyproterone
As there are many brands of the pill available with different types and doses of these hormones, it's important to remember that your Pharmacist will not be able to change the type of pill you are taking. However, if there is more than one brand available for the type of pill you are taking, you can discuss which brand you prefer with your Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist.
1NSW Government, FAQs: The oral contraceptive pill and the NSW Pharmacy Trial, accessed 28 September 2023
2Victorian Department of Health, Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, accessed 27 October 2023
What are the side effects of oral contraception?
Some side effects that occur with hormonal contraception include1:
-
Irregular periods or spotting (light bleeding) between periods
-
Lighter or skipped periods
-
Less painful periods
-
Mood changes
-
Nausea
-
Headaches
-
Changes to your skin
1Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023
What oral contraception is best for me?
What hormonal or other method of contraception is best for you depends on a range of issues, including1:
-
How well each contraceptive method works
-
How likely are you to use each contraceptive method (for example, do you prefer taking a pill at the same time every day or would you prefer a permanent method of contraception such as the implant that doesn’t need to be replaced for years?)
-
Why you need to use contraception
-
Cost
-
Your general health
-
Whether you want to get pregnant or not
-
The time and effort involved in each contraceptive method
You can work together with your doctor to find the best contraceptive method for you and work with your Pharmacist to help get the method you need.
References
1Better Health Victoria, Contraception - choices, accessed 27 February 2023
How can I get oral contraception from my local Blooms The Chemist?
A pilot program extension in NSW and VIC has allowed our pharmacies to help patients get the following methods of contraception, which include1,2:
- Combination Oral Contraceptive Pill (COC)
- Progestogen Only pill (POP)
Before your Pharmacist can prescribe you these medications, they will take an assessment of your history and offer sexual and reproductive health counselling.
If they are unable to provide the type of contraception you are after, they can give you a referral to a medical practitioner or sexual health clinic.
Please note that this is not available at all Blooms The Chemist pharmacies at the time of writing (27 October 2023).
References
1NSW Government, FAQs: The oral contraceptive pill and the NSW Pharmacy Trial, accessed 28 September 2023
2Victorian Department of Health, Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot, accessed 27 October 2023