How to cut cost of contraception

THE pill remains Australia’s most common contraceptive method but the oftenoverlooked Mirena can provide long-term financial and health security.

Health experts say the Mirena hormonal intra-uterine device (IUD) is more effective than the pill but remains less popular because people believe it is too expensive or inaccessible.

Under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, there was a 9.2 per cent drop in the number of oral contraceptive pills prescribed between 2016 to 2019, to 2.28 million.

Prescriptions for the Mirena increased more than 21 per cent in the same period, to 143,300.

Monash University researcher Dr Safeera Hussainy said long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as the Mirena – a device inserted into the uterus – allowed people to avoid the financial strain of unplanned pregnancies.

“In the real world the typical use of how women take the pill only makes them 84 per cent effective, as people forget to consistently take them,” she said.

“IUDs are a big investment into a woman’s sexual health as it enables her to plan pregnancies, which then allow her to continue working and have children when she wants.

“IUDs are 99 per cent effective because they’re not user dependent and last five years.”

IUD procedures can cost around $150 under the PBS, but Dr Hussainy said when compared with long-term costs of the pill, “LARCs win”.

“The second-most popular type of contraception is condoms, used by men,” she said.

“They have decreased effectiveness due to splits or breakages.”

Women’s health specialist Dr Jessica Floreani said you did not have to fork out thousands of dollars to have the IUD inserted in hospital.

“Getting a Mirena at a GP or for free at a sexual health network is the most affordable way,” she said.

And if you take the pill, Dr Floreani said to ask if it was subsidised.

“There are many types of the pill,” she said.

“If they’re subsidised they might be $12 – if not they can cost $80 for a three-month pack.

“You’re paying over $300 a year for that contraceptive versus IUDs, where you’ve paid less for five years up front.”