Contraception and procedures
This pathway explains counselling, preparation, prescription planning, insertion, removal, replacement, review and aftercare for IUD, Mirena®, Kyleena, Copper IUD and Implanon care before patients choose a procedure appointment.
Start here if
Read this page before booking device care, because some patients are ready for a procedure pathway while others need counselling, prescription preparation or review first.
Who this is for
A service category is a starting point, not a diagnosis. The clinician may recommend a different appointment, referral, follow-up or preparation step after review.
Hormonal IUD options such as Mirena® and Kyleena offer effective contraception, management of heavy menstrual bleeding, support in endometriosis and adenomyosis, and endometrial protection as part of menopausal hormone therapy. They deliver only a fraction of the systemic hormone exposure of oral methods.
The Copper IUD provides reliable hormone-free contraception, lasting between 5 and 10 years depending on the device. It suits patients who want a hormone-free option, including trans men and non-binary patients who do not menstruate but need long-term contraception.
Implanon is a progestogen-only subdermal implant that is effective for three years and suits patients who cannot take oestrogen (such as those with migraine with aura), as well as those managing heavy menstrual bleeding or endometriosis.
Having had a pregnancy is not a requirement for intrauterine device insertion. Patients with an abnormally shaped uterus or certain medical conditions may not be suitable; this is assessed before insertion.
Pain relief options are available, including inhaled dissociative pain relief (the ‘green whistle’) and local anaesthetic. Your clinician will discuss the right option with you before the procedure.
If you already have your prescription, you can book directly for your insertion, removal or exchange without a separate appointment first.
What to expect
The exact appointment depends on symptoms, preparation, suitability and clinician judgement.
A short preparation appointment confirms device choice, medical suitability and prescription. If you are choosing between IUD, Mirena®, Kyleena, Copper IUD or Implanon, new-patient counselling is the safer first step. If a script is required and you do not have one from your usual doctor, your clinician can prescribe at this step.
Comfort options are tailored to you and may include cervical numbing spray, small local anaesthetic injections into the cervix, deeper para-cervical injections for additional numbing, music, distraction, a support person and, when needed, an inhaled short-acting anaesthetic for anxious patients.
Insertions are performed in the clinic and most patients are surprised by how brief the truly uncomfortable moments are. Removals are usually simple. If device strings cannot be seen, a retrieval step similar in discomfort to an insertion may be needed.
A post-procedure review checks healing, expected bleeding changes and that the device sits correctly. Patients are encouraged to self-check intrauterine device strings monthly and to return if strings cannot be felt.
If you already have a prescription from another clinician, bring the dispensed device to your insertion or replacement appointment. If not, a preparation step is arranged to confirm choice and provide the prescription.
Allow 30 minutes plus possible recovery time for intrauterine device insertions and replacements, and 20 minutes for removals. Implanon® insertion takes 15 minutes and replacement 20 minutes. If inhaled dissociative pain relief is used, you will need a support person and cannot drive home immediately afterwards.
Eat normally, stay hydrated and consider bringing a support person to help with distraction during the procedure. Most patients return to usual activities the same day.
Safety and expectations
Read the limits and aftercare notes before booking so the next step matches your concern and urgency.
Some discomfort is expected and is typically brief. Comfort planning, local anaesthetic and dissociative options are available. Most patients complete the procedure without needing to stop.
Bleeding patterns commonly change after a hormonal intrauterine device or implant — often lighter, irregular or absent over time. Copper devices may make periods heavier. Your clinician explains what to expect for your device.
Perforation, infection, device expulsion, lost strings and pregnancy (including ectopic pregnancy) are uncommon but recognised risks. These are discussed before consent so warning signs can be identified early.
Patients with an abnormally shaped uterus, current pelvic infection, undiagnosed abnormal bleeding or some medical conditions may not be suitable. Suitability is confirmed before the procedure rather than on the day of insertion.
Cramping similar to a period for a few hours, spotting for several days and a change in bleeding pattern over the following weeks are common. Pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen is usually sufficient.
Self-check your device strings monthly. If you cannot feel the strings, feel something hard at the cervix or your partner can feel the device stem, book a review.
Call urgently for severe pain not relieved by simple pain medicines, heavy bleeding soaking through pads quickly, fever, offensive discharge, fainting, suspected device expulsion, possible pregnancy or any symptom that feels unsafe to wait on.
Booking and fees
Book directly when the pathway is clear, or use the booking page if appointment type, timing or provider fit is uncertain.
Booking pathway
Use the booking page first if you are choosing between counselling, telehealth preparation, intrauterine device insertion, removal, replacement, contraceptive implant care or review.
Urgent concerns
For urgent concerns that cannot wait for routine booking, call the clinic during opening hours, or seek urgent medical care by calling 000 for emergencies, CALMS after-hours general practice on 02 6260 3300 or attend the GP urgent care clinic at Woden.
Do not use one insertion appointment as a generic device procedure booking. Choose a specific alternate below only when that step clearly matches your situation.
Other booking options for this service
Use the device care page to confirm whether a pre-procedure or results telehealth discussion fits your situation.
Intrauterine device removal where threads can be felt or have been visualised by a doctor. Not for retrieval of devices with missing threads.
Intrauterine device removal when threads are missing or cannot be felt; allows time for ultrasound assistance or alternative retrieval techniques.
Subdermal contraceptive implant insertion. Bring the dispensed device. Pre-procedure telehealth available if a prescription is required.
Removal of a subdermal contraceptive implant. Concession bulk-billing may apply for full-time students and other eligible patients.
Fees for this pathway
These fee rows come from current clinic fee records. Medicare rebate, out-of-pocket and bulk billing details are shown only where they are supported by the published fee record.
10 minutes
A$125
For procedure prescriptions or results discussion when clinically suitable. Telehealth is not urgent care and does not replace a procedure appointment.
Medicare rebate: Medicare rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
30 minutes
A$229
Bring the device. If you need a prescription, a telehealth preparation appointment may be needed first.
Medicare rebate: Procedure rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
20 minutes
A$205
For removals expected not to be complicated, where threads can be felt or have been seen by a doctor.
Medicare rebate: Procedure rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
30 minutes
A$255
For removals where threads are missing or not felt.
Medicare rebate: Procedure rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
15 minutes
A$195
Bring the device. If you need a prescription, telehealth preparation may be needed.
Medicare rebate: Procedure rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
20 minutes
A$215
Contraceptive implant removal appointment listed in current clinic fee information.
Medicare rebate: Procedure rebate and out-of-pocket estimates are shown only after the clinic confirms the estimate.
Bulk billing: Concession bulk billing may apply for eligible full-time students under 25 and Health Care Card holders.
20 minutes
Discussed during appointment
No private fee is published for this appointment. Bring the device, and book telehealth first if you need a prescription.
Bulk billing: The deposit may be refunded at the appointment if Medicare bulk billing applies.
Varies
A$75
Optional inhaled pain relief may be added for intrauterine device insertion and complex removal.
Frequently asked questions
Some patients do. If suitability, prescription, device choice between IUD, Mirena®, Kyleena, Copper IUD or Implanon, pain concerns or timing is unclear, book the pre-procedure telehealth or in-clinic preparation first. Many patients can use the rapid-access procedure pathway directly if they already have a script and have chosen a device.
Yes. Having had a pregnancy is not a requirement. Many patients without a pregnancy history have intrauterine devices safely. Suitability is assessed at consultation.
Our clinicians use a layered approach: cervical numbing spray, small local anaesthetic injections, deeper para-cervical numbing, music, a support person, distraction, and for anxious patients an inhaled short-acting dissociative aid. Most patients are surprised by how brief the uncomfortable moments are.
Most patients have lighter, irregular or absent periods within a few months. Bleeding patterns settle over time. The copper intrauterine device usually makes periods heavier.
The subdermal implant lasts three years and is inserted in the upper arm. Intrauterine device insertions and replacements take 30 minutes plus possible recovery time, while removals take 20 minutes. Implanon® insertion takes 15 minutes and replacement 20 minutes. Implant removal is a 20 minute consultation. You can usually return to normal activities straight away.
Call urgently for severe pain not relieved by simple pain medicines, heavy bleeding, fever, offensive discharge, fainting, suspected expulsion, possible pregnancy, or any symptom that feels unsafe to wait on.
Each month, after your period, feel for the thin strings at the cervix using a clean finger. If you cannot feel them, feel something hard at the cervix, or your partner can feel the device stem, book a review.