Australian women are alarmingly underinformed about their best option for birth control, according to a major new health survey.
The 2024 National Women’s Health Survey, conducted by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health in collaboration with the SPHERE Centre for Research Excellence, found that most Australian women of reproductive age currently want to avoid getting pregnant (80% of 18 to 24 year olds and 60% of 25 to 44 year olds).
However, most Australian women don’t know that intrauterine devices (IUDs) - which prevent pregnancy in 99% of cases - are the most effective form of contraception.
This knowledge gap comes with a cost. Just 7% of 18 to 24 year olds and 11% of 25 to 44 year olds are using IUDs, putting Australia far behind countries like the United Kingdom, South Korea, Belgium, Norway, France and even the United States.
IUDs, which are a type of long-acting reversible contraception, not only offer the best protection against pregnancy, they also have other benefits. For example, they don’t interrupt sex, are effective for women with heavy menstrual bleeding, and cause fewer side effects than other commonly used methods like the contraceptive pill.
The findings expose a gap in public health education. In 2023, a Senate Inquiry, Ending the postcode lottery – Addressing barriers to sexual, maternity and reproductive healthcare in Australia, recommended targeted public awareness and sexual health literacy campaigns for priority populations, such as women who speak a language other than English.
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health CEO Dr Sarah White says the results show, however, that education on contraception needs to be much broader.
“This isn’t a problem affecting just one or two groups. Across the board – across ages, backgrounds and even among women who think they’re well informed – the knowledge gap is glaring,” Dr White said.
“If we want to give women real control over their reproductive health, we must get the facts about IUDs into every community, every clinic and every conversation.”
SPHERE-CRE Director Professor Danielle Mazza AM agrees that urgent action is needed.
“Everyone deserves to be armed with the knowledge about the most effective forms of contraception, so that they can decide if and when they have children. Knowledge Is power – and when it comes to reproductive health, women deserve nothing less.”
IUDs are small, T-shaped devices placed in the uterus that offer long-term, reversible contraception.
They come in two types: hormonal IUDs, which release a steady dose of levonorgestrel, and copper IUDs, which create an environment that prevents fertilisation and implantation.
For media inquiries and to organise an interview with Dr White, please contact [email protected].
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