Contraceptive Pill Online

Getting the contraceptive pill online

The combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen-only pill are the most commonly used forms of hormonal contraception in Australia. Both are prescription-only medicines. A NewDoc telehealth consultation lets you discuss your options and, where clinically appropriate, receive an eScript without leaving home.

Your GP will take a medical history, discuss how a given pill may suit your health profile, and recommend whether a new script or a repeat of your current pill is appropriate. The consultation is bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

How the online pill prescription works

Book a telehealth consultation through the NewDoc booking flow, join the video or phone call at your scheduled time, and discuss your contraception needs with an AHPRA-registered GP. If your GP determines the pill is clinically appropriate, an eScript is sent directly to your phone by SMS, usually within minutes of the call ending.

You can then fill the script at any Australian pharmacy, or use a pharmacy delivery service that accepts eScripts. Repeats are noted on the script so you do not need a new consult for each box, up to the repeat limit set by your GP.

What your GP will discuss

Before any pill is prescribed, your GP will assess your personal and family medical history, including any history of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, migraines with aura, certain cancers, and any liver or gallbladder conditions. Blood pressure is also a key factor for combined oral contraceptives, so having a recent reading available helps the consultation.

Your GP will also discuss side effects, missed-pill guidance, drug interactions, and when backup contraception is needed. If you are starting a new pill, the GP will explain what to expect in the first few cycles and when to check in for review.

When telehealth may not be suitable

Most contraceptive pill prescriptions can be managed via telehealth. However, your GP may recommend an in-person appointment if you have not had a blood pressure check recently, if you have a complex medical history, or if a physical examination is clinically necessary. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (such as implants and IUDs) require in-person insertion.

If telehealth is not appropriate, your GP will advise you on next steps, which may include a referral to an in-person GP, a women's health clinic, or a family planning service. For ongoing contraception questions outside a consultation, the healthdirect helpline and Jean Hailes for Women's Health are useful resources.