Easy access to intrauterine device (IUD) insertions
Mirena® is currently the most popular intrauterine device. It offers benefits with only a fraction of the total-body hormone exposure of oral or injectable methods. It lasts for 5 years and is suitable for:
- Contraception
- Managing heavy menstrual bleeding
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Endometrial protection as part of menopause hormone replacement
Kyleena ® is the ‘baby sister’ to Mirena and has even less hormone exposure but still lasts for 5 years. It is less effective at managing heavy bleeding but is still suitable for:
- Contraception
- Helping heavy bleeding or women intolerant of Mirena
Copper intra-uterine device is the HORMONE FREE method of contraception. Depending on your device it can last 5 or 10 years. It is suitable for:
- Contraception
- Women who want a hormone-free option
- Trans gender cis females who have no periods but require long term contraception
You do not have to have delivered a baby to be eligible for intra-uterine devices. Women with an abnormal shaped uterus (womb) and some medical conditions are not suitable, and this is assessed prior to device insertion.
Worried about the pain of insertion?
Dr French has performed over 500 insertions of intra-uterine devices. It is very uncommon for women to feel unable to complete the procedure. We use a variety of pain management strategies to support you, including:
- Preparation: Knowing what is going to happen will help you prepare and feel in control
- Being honest: Being clear about the brief moments of potential discomfort will prevent shock or trauma around the procedure (this is the source of most on-line adverse event accounts)
- Observing your responses during the procedure: Responding to your non-verbal cues and ‘checking in’ with you during the procedure means it happens at your pace
- Using distraction: Bring a support person who’s job it is to chat and distract you! This is a very effective, and safe, way to minimise discomfort.
- Playing music: Bring along a request or your own device +/- headphones
- Local anaesthetic: Injecting anaesthetic into the cervix (neck of the womb) injections at this site are not as sensitive as injecting into the skin – it is very well tolerated
- Inhaled methoxyflurane: The ‘green whistle’ is a short-acting inhaled anaesthetic that can be used when needed – it is particularly helpful for anxious patients. If used, a support person is needed and you cannot drive home immediately after the procedure. Additional costs apply if this is required.
Removal of intra-uterine device
Removing devices is generally simple and causes minimal discomfort.
If the threads (strings) of the device cannot be felt or seen, a retrieval device may be required and is similar to insertion in terms of discomfort.
Women are encouraged to self-check for the threads of their device every month, and attend their GP if they cannot be felt.
How do I book?
We make access to IUD insertions easy:
- Using HotDoc or calling our clinic, book a ‘pre-procedure’ telehealth appointment We will confirm you choice, medical suitability and prescribe the device if you don’t have a prescription from your usual doctor.
- Using HotDoc or at the time of your pre-procedure consultation, book your procedure time. If urgent, appointments will be made available even if none are shown on the Hot Doc site – we have daily urgent slots kept off-line. Allow an hour in the clinic.
- At the time of insertion you will be offered a follow-up appointment which will be bulk-billed.
The total out-of-pocket cost for Mirena insertions, including the pre-procedure, and follow-up appointments are listed below*:
Removals of intra-uterine devices simply require a 20 minute consultation booking.
Costs for Mirena ®, Kyleena® and copper IUD procedures are*:
- Pre-procedure telehealth: Medicare billed if procedure booked at our clinic
- Post-procedure review appointment: Medicare billed
- IUD insertion $196 (full fee $360, Medicare rebate $164)
- IUD removal uncomplicated $80 (full fee $160, Medicare rebate $80)
- IUD removal requiring retrieval $110 (full fee $190 Medicare rebate $80)
- IUD replacement $226 (Full fee $390, Medicare rebate $164)
*rebate amounts change over time, the values given are accurate at the time of writing
Implanon®
Implanon ® is a progestogen-only subdermal implant contraceptive (birth control) that is effective for 3 years. Implanon ® is suitable for:
- Contraception
- Women who cannot take oestrogen (such as migraine with aura)
- Management of heavy menstrual bleeding
- Management of endometriosis for women not wanting Mirena ®
How do I book?
We make access to Implanon ® insertions easy:
- Using HotDoc or calling our clinic, book a ‘pre-procedure’ telehealth appointment We will confirm you choice, medical suitability and prescribe the device if you don’t have a prescription from your usual doctor.
- Using HotDoc or at the time of your pre-procedure consultation, book your procedure time. If urgent, appointments will be made available even if none are shown on the Hot Doc site – we have daily urgent slots kept off-line. Allow 20 minutes for insertion, 30 minutes for replacement.
- You will be able to return to usual activities immediately after the procedure.
Removals of Implanon ® simply require a 20 minute consultation booking.
Costs for Implanon ® procedures are*:
- Implanon insertion $85 (full fee $160, Medicare rebate $75)
- Implanon removal $92 (full fee $190, Medicare rebate $98)
- Implanon replacement $79 (Full fee $210, Medicare rebate $131)
*rebate amounts change over time, the values given are accurate at the time of writing
Intrauterine Devices
Mirena ®, Kyleena ® are intrauterine devices (IUDs) used for contraception and management of heavy menstrual bleeding including endometriosis. The Mirena ® is also used for endometrial protection as part of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The copper intrauterine device offers reliable hormone-free contraception that lasts up to 10 years. These devices offer many benefits and shouldn’t be overlooked for fear of the insertion! Talk to our specially trained and experienced doctors who can address your concerns. We use proven strategies to minimise discomfort and make access to insertions and removals easy: make a telehealth consultation to get a prescription and book your insertion directly using HotDoc or calling the clinic.
