What is gonorrhoea? Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the urethra, throat, cervix, anus, and (rarely) the eyes. How do you catch gonorrhoea? You can catch gonorrhoea through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. What are the symptoms? Symptoms will depend on where the infection is. Up to 80% of people with a vaginal infection will have no symptoms at all. In people with an infection in the penis, most will have symptoms, only about 10-15% will not have symptoms. Symptoms are rare with a throat or anal infection. When...

What is syphilis?  Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum.  It is not as common in Australia as in some countries, but cases are increasing.   Syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics. Without treatment serious health problems can occur. The infection has different stages: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, latent syphilis, and tertiary or late syphilis.   How do you catch syphilis? Syphilis is passed on through skin-to-skin contact. You can catch it by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has syphilis.  It is...

What is the combined oral contraceptive pill? The combined oral contraceptive pill, usually simply called ‘the pill’, is a contraceptive pill taken by mouth which contains 2 hormones, oestrogen, and progestogen.  These hormones are similar to the hormones produced by your ovaries. How does it work? The pill works by preventing ovulation, which means it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, which in turn means that fertilization cannot occur, and a pregnancy cannot begin. It also thickens the mucus in your cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to get into the uterus (womb). How...

What is Trichomonas Trichomonas is a genital infection caused by the organism trichomonas vaginalis. While it is common worldwide, it is rare in urban areas in Australia. Trichomonas is a vaginal infection, more common in older populations and those living in remote areas. It is a rare cause of symptoms in the penis. How do you catch trichomonas?  Trichomonas is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) that is passed on during sex without a condom with a person who has trichomonas.   What are the symptoms?   Vaginal Symptoms About 50% of the time, trichomonas does not cause any vulval...

What is emergency contraception?   Emergency contraception (EC) is used after unprotected sex to reduce the risk of pregnancy.                                           You might use emergency contraception if: you had sex and didn’t use any contraception a condom broke or slipped off during sex you missed one or more of your usual contraceptive pills  you were sexually assaulted What kind of emergency contraception is available? There are two types of emergency contraception available in Australia: The emergency contraceptive pills (ECP): the Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive...

SHFPACT has developed a range of workshops and education sessions for students in High School and College. Sessions can be tailored to small or large groups of students, and to meet the needs of the student, school and parents/caregivers.Topics can include: Gender and Sexual Identity Respectful Relationships Consent Technology, Social Media and Pornography Contraception, STIs and BBVs For presentations to large groups of students, the cost is $190 per educator per hour. For workshops, the cost is $10 per student, per workshop (there is a discount available if a school books multiple...

SHFPACT hires Contraception Kits to any High Schools and Colleges that have a Friends of SHFPACT Membership (Organisational/Nonprofit/Small Business/Schools). To take out a Friends of SHFPACT Membership follow the link below: Friends of SHFPACT Membership SHFPACT’s Contraception Kits contain: 1x diaphragm (Caya®) 1x hormone releasing IUD (Mirena®) 6 x male condoms 6 x lubricants 2 x female condoms 2 x dental dam 1 x oral contraception pill sample box 1 x emergency contraception sample box 1 x vaginal ring (Nuvaring®) 1 x contraceptive implant (Implanon®) 1 x contraceptive injection...

A vasectomy is a permanent form of contraception. It involves a simple surgical procedure that prevents sperm from traveling from the testicles to the semen ejaculated from the penis. After vasectomy, your semen is the same, but it has no sperm in it. Vasectomy is a safe, effective, and permanent form of contraception. How effective is vasectomy? A vasectomy is over 99% effective. However, while it is rare, a vasectomy may fail, and you may stay fertile or become fertile again. This can happen if the tubes are not entirely blocked off, grow back together, or if a third vas deferens tube exists....

Contraception is essential for planning the size of your family and spacing children optimally for your individual family unit. A pregnancy that occurs within 12 months of giving birth can place extra stress on the mother and baby and carry more risks of complications, so having effective contraception during this time is particularly important. It can be a good idea to talk to your doctor about this before giving birth, as some contraceptive methods can be started soon after childbirth. Contraception is not needed in the first 3 weeks following childbirth, but ovulation (the release of an...

Good health and care in pregnancy are essential for you and your baby and are especially important in early pregnancy. This information brochure outlines the key issues in early pregnancy health and care, and what to do next now that you are pregnant. When should I see a doctor?  Ideally, you should see a doctor before you become pregnant to discuss any tests you may need. You can also discuss any medical problems, medications, supplements, and general health in pregnancy. If this hasn’t happened because your pregnancy was unplanned or unexpected, then when you first find out you are pregnant...

WHAT IS THE CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTION? The contraceptive injection is a hormone injection that prevents pregnancy. It contains Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA). DMPA is a progestogen that is similar to the hormone progesterone made by your body. DMPA has been available as a contraceptive method for many years. HOW IS IT GIVEN AND HOW OFTEN? The contraceptive injection is given by a doctor or nurse every 12 weeks in your upper arm or buttock. HOW DOES IT WORK? The contraceptive injection prevents ovulation (an egg being released from your ovary). It also thickens the mucus in your...

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the body’s immune system, and if it untreated, it can lead to AIDS. The virus that causes HIV is called a retrovirus. AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome and is a late stage of untreated HIV. This is where the body’s immune system is damaged by the HIV virus making the infected person vulnerable to diseases and infections. With the HIV treatments that are now available in Australia, AIDS is extremely rare. How do you get HIV? HIV can be found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, anal secretions, and breast milk. You can get HIV through: Sex...