Health library
Find health guides and articles. Search the library, browse health topics or explore health through life.
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Search health guides, topics, articles and library collections. For a shorter symptom directory, use Conditions A–Z. Your search stays on this page.
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- Conditions & symptoms
Browse HerDoc health guides by concern or A–Z, including fatigue, sleep, headaches, digestive symptoms, periods, pelvic health and menopause.
- Health topics
Browse health topics and follow links to HerDoc guides and articles.
- Health through life
Explore health through life. Collections bring together selected guides and articles; inclusion does not mean every guide applies to everyone.
- News & articles
HerDoc news and articles.
- Resources and appointment preparation
Practical resources to help you prepare private notes and questions for a healthcare appointment.
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Use the topic collections for a broad view, or start with a symptom in Conditions A–Z. News and articles link to relevant guides for more detail. This library provides general information; it cannot assess your individual situation.
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Article
Can I get HRT from a pharmacy without a new prescription in Victoria?Who may be eligible for Victoria’s pharmacy HRT resupply pathway, what it costs, what to take and when a GP review is still needed.
Article
Could I be getting too much vitamin B6 from my supplements?Vitamin B6 can appear in several supplements. Learn what to check on labels, which symptoms need prompt attention and what the TGA is reviewing.
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My sunscreen contains 4-MBC—should I keep using it?What Australia’s TGA review of 4-MBC means for sunscreen already in your cupboard, ingredient labels and choosing your next bottle.
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Can menopause cause joint and muscle pain?What research says about aches and pains around menopause, hormone therapy, resistance training, manageable movement, yoga and individual pain care.
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Can magnesium help me sleep during perimenopause?What the research says about magnesium and sleep, why sleep can change during perimenopause, and how to prepare for a useful GP conversation.
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Can diet and exercise help with endometriosis pain?What a recent study found about diet and exercise alongside endometriosis treatment, with practical ways to approach food, movement and medical care.
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Iron tablets making you sick during pregnancy? What are your options?Options when iron tablets cause nausea, constipation or stomach pain during pregnancy, including when an iron infusion may be considered.
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What are my non-hormonal contraception options?Compare non-hormonal contraception options, including the copper IUD, condoms, diaphragm, fertility awareness and permanent contraception.
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Medicines in pregnancy: what do the safety categories mean?Understand Australia’s pregnancy medicine categories, what A, B1, B2, B3, C, D and X mean, and why the letter is only part of a treatment decision.
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Can I get a GP care plan by phone? What changes from 1 NovemberLearn what changes for Medicare-supported GP chronic condition management plan appointments by phone from 1 November 2026, including eligibility, fees and preparation.
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Who can refer me for a bone-density scan?Who can refer you for a bone-density scan, what changes from 1 November 2026, when Medicare may contribute and what to ask before booking.
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Why do my UTI symptoms keep coming back?Understand why UTI symptoms can return, what a negative urine culture may mean, how menopause can contribute and what to prepare for a GP review.
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What is the new Medicare Healthy Kids Check for three-year-olds?The new Medicare Healthy Kids Check starts on 1 November 2026 for eligible three-year-olds. Learn what it covers and how to prepare for an in-person GP appointment.
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How early can perimenopause start?Could perimenopause start at 35? Understand early symptoms, hormone testing, early menopause and when to speak with your GP.
Collection
Health libraryFind health guides and articles. Search the library, browse health topics or explore health through life.
Directory
Conditions & symptomsBrowse HerDoc health guides by concern or A–Z, including fatigue, sleep, headaches, digestive symptoms, periods, pelvic health and menopause.
Collection
Health topicsBrowse health topics and follow links to HerDoc guides and articles.
Collection
Health through lifeExplore health through life. Collections bring together selected guides and articles; inclusion does not mean every guide applies to everyone.
Directory
News & articlesHerDoc news and articles.
Collection
Adulthood and everyday healthExplore HerDoc guides and articles relevant to this stage of life. Each guide has its own scope.
Collection
PregnancyExplore HerDoc guides and articles relevant to this stage of life. Each guide has its own scope.
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Midlife and perimenopauseExplore HerDoc guides and articles relevant to this stage of life. Each guide has its own scope.
Collection
Health after menopause and ageingExplore HerDoc guides and articles relevant to this stage of life. Each guide has its own scope.
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Caring for othersExplore HerDoc guides and articles relevant to this stage of life. Each guide has its own scope.
Guide or topic
Periods and menstrual healthFind information about heavy, painful or changing periods, period changes during perimenopause, and preparing to talk with a clinician.
Guide or topic
Heavy, painful or changing periodsUnderstand heavy, painful, irregular, light or missed periods, practical care and how a HerDoc GP can help. Know when bleeding or pelvic pain needs urgent care.
Guide or topic
How do periods change during perimenopause?Understand changing periods during perimenopause, what to record, why pregnancy and contraception still matter and when bleeding needs assessment.
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Endometriosis and pelvic painBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
Guide or topic
What is endometriosis, and what can help?Understand endometriosis symptoms, diagnosis, treatment choices, fertility considerations and when to seek urgent care.
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Painful sex: understanding the pain and getting helpUnderstand pain during or after sex, possible causes, what to share with a GP and when an examination, testing or urgent care may help.
Guide or topic
Talk to an online GP about contraceptionTalk with a HerDoc GP about choosing, reviewing or changing contraception, device questions or a time-sensitive concern, and understand what may need local care.
Guide or topic
Contraception options: a guide to how they workCompare contraception options by how they work, how often they need action, bleeding changes, fertility return, STI protection and practical limits.
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Review or change contraception with an online GPTalk with a HerDoc GP about your current contraception, side effects, changed bleeding or health information, and whether a check or local care is needed.
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Discuss IUD and implant options with an online GPAsk a HerDoc GP about IUD and implant options, referrals and preparation, and understand why insertion, removal and some concerns need face-to-face care.
Guide or topic
Emergency contraception: where to get timely helpEmergency contraception is time sensitive. Find timely pharmacy or local-clinician help, know what information may matter and when to seek urgent care.
Guide or topic
Sexual health and vaginal symptomsUnderstand vaginal discharge, odour and vulval irritation, how a HerDoc GP can help, and when you need local care. Find thrush, dryness, painful sex and UTI guides.
Collection
Vulva and vaginal healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush, and what else could it be?Learn common vaginal thrush symptoms, other possible causes, when a GP can help and when an examination or testing may be needed.
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What helps vaginal dryness, and when should I see a doctor?Understand causes of vaginal dryness, practical comfort options, urinary and sexual symptoms, treatment questions and when examination may help.
Guide or topic
Bladder healthFind information about urinary infections, symptoms that keep returning, leakage and urgency, and when to seek medical care.
Guide or topic
UTI symptomsUnderstand UTI symptoms, how long a bladder infection may last, treatment and urine testing, and when persistent or worsening symptoms need medical review.
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Breast healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
Guide or topic
Menopause symptoms during and after breast-cancer treatmentPrepare to discuss hot flushes, sleep and vaginal symptoms during or after breast-cancer treatment, with your GP and breast-care team.
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Pregnancy healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
Guide or topic
Perimenopause: signs, symptoms and supportUnderstand perimenopause, prepare for a GP discussion and find focused guidance on symptoms, changing periods, night waking and blood-test questions.
Guide or topic
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?Explore symptom groups during perimenopause, how changes can overlap, what to track and when another explanation or an examination needs consideration.
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Waking at 3am: what to notice during perimenopauseRepeatedly waking around 3am? Learn what to notice, why the time does not diagnose perimenopause and when sleep symptoms need further assessment.
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Do I need a blood test for menopause?Understand when menopause blood tests may help, why hormone results need context, and what to prepare for a GP discussion about symptoms and testing.
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Menopause: symptoms, stages and supportUnderstand menopause stages, symptoms and treatment questions. Explore guides to sleep, mood, blood tests, hormone therapy and longer-term health.
Guide or topic
Hot flushes and night sweats in menopauseLearn what menopause hot flushes and night sweats can feel like, what else may cause them, what to track and how an online GP can help.
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What are my menopause treatment options?Ask a HerDoc GP about HRT, MHT and other menopause treatments, including possible benefits and risks, tests, prescription decisions and follow-up.
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Nonhormonal options for hot flushes and night sweatsUnderstand nonhormonal approaches to hot flushes and night sweats, what the evidence supports, and questions to take to your GP.
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Why am I sleeping badly during perimenopause, and what can help?Understand night sweats, insomnia and other causes of poor sleep during perimenopause and menopause, with practical steps and GP support.
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Can menopause cause anxiety, and what can help?Understand anxiety around menopause, other possible causes, what to discuss with a GP and when to seek mental-health support or urgent help.
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What helps with menopause brain fog?Understand menopause brain fog, practical ways to support focus and memory, other possible causes and when to seek assessment.
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Why does weight change around menopause, and what can help?Understand how menopause, ageing, sleep, activity and health can affect weight, body fat and muscle, with practical support and assessment guidance.
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What are early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency, and what can help?Understand early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency, including symptoms, assessment, treatment, fertility and longer-term health.
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How can I protect my bones, muscles and heart after menopause?Practical guidance on bone, muscle and heart health after menopause, including activity, nutrition, risk checks and when DXA may help.
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Do I need a bone-density scan after menopause?When a bone-density scan may help after menopause or POI, what DXA measures, Medicare eligibility, preparation and discussing results.
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Bones joints muscles and movementBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Heart circulation and blood pressureBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Home blood-pressure readingsLearn how to take useful home blood-pressure readings, what to record and how a HerDoc GP can help. Understand when readings or symptoms need urgent local care.
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Brain memory and neurological healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What are migraine symptoms, and how do they differ from a headache?Learn common migraine symptoms, how migraine can differ from tension-type headache, when a GP can help and which warning signs need urgent care.
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Talk to an online GP about your mental healthTalk to an Australian GP about anxiety, low mood, stress, burnout or sleep concerns, and discuss what next steps may be needed.
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Talk to a GP about anxiety or low moodTalk to an Australian GP about worry, panic, low mood or changes in daily life, and discuss whether further care may be needed.
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Talk to a GP about stress or burnoutTalk to an Australian GP about ongoing stress, work-related exhaustion or changes in sleep, mood and daily functioning.
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Get urgent mental-health helpKnow when to call 000, go to an emergency department or contact an Australian crisis service for immediate mental-health support.
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Sleep fatigue and energyBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Sleep problemsUnderstand what can help persistent sleep problems, prepare for a GP review and know when snoring, gasping or daytime sleepiness needs medical assessment.
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Why am I tired all the time?Understand persistent tiredness, distinguish sleepiness from low energy, prepare for a GP assessment and learn when to seek care sooner.
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Bowel and digestive healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What can cause digestive symptoms, and what should I do next?Understand common causes of reflux, constipation and other digestive symptoms, what may help, when to see a GP and which warning signs need emergency care.
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What helps constipation, and when should I see a doctor?Understand constipation symptoms and causes, practical self-care and treatment options, when a GP can help and which warning signs need urgent care.
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How long does diarrhoea last, and what can help?Understand how long adult diarrhoea may last, hydration and eating, treatment options, when testing may help and which warning signs need urgent care.
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What causes acid reflux, and what can help?Understand acid reflux and heartburn, common triggers, practical care and treatment options, and when persistent symptoms or chest pain need medical help.
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Nutrition iron and supplementsBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What do ferritin and iron blood tests tell me?Understand ferritin, haemoglobin, transferrin saturation and iron studies, why results need context, and what follow-up may involve.
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Thyroid diabetes and metabolic healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What are the symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid?Compare underactive and overactive thyroid symptoms, causes, menopause overlap, thyroid blood tests and treatment pathways, and learn when to seek help.
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Skin hair and nailsBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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What can cause a rash, and when should I seek help?Understand common causes of a rash, when a GP can help and which spreading, painful or allergic-reaction symptoms need same-day or emergency care.
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What causes hives, and what can help?Understand what can cause hives, what may help, when recurring or unusual lesions need assessment and which swelling or breathing signs require 000.
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Breathing allergies and respiratory healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Is it hay fever or a cold, and what can help?Compare hay-fever and cold symptoms, understand triggers and practical care, and know when asthma symptoms or an allergic reaction need urgent help.
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Ongoing asthma careReview established asthma, symptoms, inhaler concerns and your action plan with a HerDoc GP. Know when local assessment or emergency asthma care is needed.
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Is it a cold or flu, and what can help?Compare common cold and flu symptoms, learn what can help and how long flu may last, and know when to seek early or urgent medical care.
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Medicines tests and understanding healthcareBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
Guide or topic
Ask an online GP about your medicinesDiscuss side effects, possible interactions, missed-dose questions and medicine monitoring with a HerDoc GP. Get emergency and poisoning guidance.
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Discuss blood-test results with an online GPDiscuss blood-test results with a HerDoc GP and understand reference ranges, health context, questions to ask and possible next steps.
Guide or topic
Can an online GP organise common blood tests?Ask an online GP about iron, thyroid, vitamin B12 or vitamin D concerns, what information to prepare and whether testing may help.
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Hormone tests for menopause and perimenopause questionsLearn when hormone tests may or may not be useful and how an online GP may discuss menopause or perimenopause testing questions.
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Specialist referrals from an online GPDiscuss a specialist referral with a HerDoc GP, what information to prepare, named or general referrals and what happens after the GP assessment.
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Results and follow-upLearn how to arrange tests, receive HerDoc result notifications, book a separate review and see whether bulk billing or private fees apply.
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Pain and living wellBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Disability chronic conditions and ongoing healthBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Children family health and caringBrowse HerDoc guides and articles by topic.
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Resources and appointment preparationPractical resources to help you prepare private notes and questions for a healthcare appointment.
Resource
Period and symptom recordKeep private notes about bleeding, symptoms and their effect on daily life to help you prepare for a healthcare appointment.
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Prepare for your menopause appointmentOrganise your concerns, questions and next steps with a short preparation sheet for a perimenopause or menopause appointment.
Article
How can I reduce my risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy?Practical ways to reduce CMV exposure during pregnancy, what to discuss about testing, and when to contact your GP or maternity team.
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What is cytomegalovirus (CMV), and when should I seek advice?Learn about CMV symptoms, spread, pregnancy precautions, testing discussions and follow-up, with Australian information and resources for families.
Article
What are Victoria’s Women’s Health Clinics?What Victoria’s Women’s Health Clinics offer, who can use them, and how specialist clinic care can fit alongside telehealth and ongoing GP care.
Article
Why is Levemir insulin being discontinued in Australia?Why Levemir is being discontinued in Australia, what December 2026 means for supply and how to plan a supported change with your usual diabetes care team.
Article
Can a GP diagnose ADHD in NSW now?Which NSW GPs can diagnose ADHD under the reforms, how to ask about assessment availability and fees, and what an assessment involves.
Collection
Ovaries uterus and hormonal conditionsExplore guides about ovaries and the uterus, including symptoms, assessment and care.
Guide or topic
PCOS, now called PMOS: symptoms, diagnosis and careUnderstand the PCOS to PMOS name change, symptoms, adult and adolescent assessment, care options and questions to discuss with your clinician.
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Urinary leakage and incontinenceUnderstand different patterns of urinary leakage, what an assessment may involve, care options and when to seek urgent help.
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PMS and PMDD: symptoms, assessment and supportUnderstand premenstrual symptoms, how PMS and PMDD are assessed, and options for care without delaying help to complete a symptom diary.
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Persistent pelvic pain: assessment and careUnderstand ongoing or recurring pelvic pain, what assessment can involve, why normal tests may not explain everything, and options for care.
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Adenomyosis: symptoms, diagnosis and careUnderstand adenomyosis, how it is assessed, and care choices for pain and heavy periods, including how pregnancy plans affect treatment.
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Fibroids: symptoms, assessment and careUnderstand uterine fibroids, what a scan finding can mean, and options for monitoring or treatment, including telehealth and pregnancy considerations.
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Ovarian cysts: symptoms, assessment and careUnderstand ovarian cysts, how telehealth can support assessment and ultrasound referral, and when monitoring, specialist care or urgent help may be needed.
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Uterine polyps: symptoms, assessment and careUnderstand uterine polyps, bleeding changes, ultrasound and tissue tests, and how monitoring, removal and telehealth assessment may fit your care.
Resource
Choosing contraception: what matters to mePrepare for a contraception conversation with private notes about your priorities, previous experiences, questions and next steps.
Resource
Bladder diary: preparing for an appointmentLearn what to record in a bladder diary, find an existing template and prepare to discuss urinary symptoms with a health professional.
Article
Can I get a free IUD or contraceptive implant in WA?Yes, eligible Medicare cardholders can get a free IUD or contraceptive implant at the Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) clinics in Northbridge or Rockingham. The sexual and reproductive health organisation in Western Australia announced the service from 2 November 2026. Device costs are covered for a limited time, and pain relief may cost extra.
Article
Can I take my repeat prescription to a different pharmacy in NSW?Yes. From 5 November 2026, NSW pharmacists can return paper repeats for Schedule 8 and anabolic-androgenic steroidal medicines so you can use another pharmacy. Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) prescriptions are excluded from this change. If your current pharmacy holds your paper repeats, ask the pharmacist whether they can return them and when your next supply is due.
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What do Australia’s proposed telehealth standards mean for patients?Australia’s proposed telehealth standards would set clearer expectations for safe virtual care, including whether phone or video is suitable, how results are followed up and who takes over when care moves between clinicians. They are a consultation draft, not new rules already in force. At your next appointment, agree who will follow up your care and how to contact them.
Article
Does Medicare cover physio and other allied health appointments?Yes. Medicare can help pay for physio and other allied health appointments. One way is through a GP chronic condition management plan and referral. Under these arrangements, eligible patients can usually claim up to five individual sessions a calendar year, shared across providers. A gap fee may apply, so check eligibility with your GP and ask the provider about costs. Current Medicare rules.
Article
Can a mammogram also check my heart health?Not as part of routine breast screening yet. Australian researchers have developed a tool that uses mammogram images and a woman’s age to estimate her risk of future heart and blood vessel problems. It could eventually add a heart-health assessment to breast screening, but it still needs further testing. For now, speak with your GP about checking your heart health separately. Australian Government research update.
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Can I start the contraceptive pill at a pharmacy in NSW?Yes. Eligible women aged 18–39 can start the pill at a participating NSW pharmacy without first seeing a doctor or getting a doctor’s prescription. A trained pharmacist must assess you in person, including checking your blood pressure. Initial supply is up to three months, and you should be referred for a medical review within one month. NSW Health protocol.
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Why is it getting more expensive to see a specialist?Why specialist fees are rising, how Medicare rebates and gap fees work, and questions to ask before you book.
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Raw milk is going viral—but is it really better for you?Why raw milk is popular online, what food-safety authorities say, and the risks during pregnancy.