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Media Releases 2001

Click on the titles below to read the media release.

For more information on the topics mentioned below, or any other sexual health issue, please contact the FPWA Library or our Sexual Health Helpline.

 

 

9th October - Pap smears more comfortable with new test

The release of the Veda-scope speculum, a tool designed to make pap tests more comfortable for women, is hoped to encourage more women to have regular tests, according to FPWA Medical Consultant Dr Sue Cherry.

Dr Cherry said many women avoided regular pap tests because they found the speculum uncomfortable or painful.

"The Veda-scope is an alternative for these women," she said.

Developed in Australia, the Veda-scope speculum consists of a disposable 4cm plastic tube, surrounded by a rubber cuff, which is pushed against the vulva after insertion to create a seal.

Air is then pumped through the tube to distend the vagina. A fibre-optic light source is used and the lens allows magnification of up to six times.

FPWA Nurse Practitioner, Jenny Crocker said the Veda-scope speculum was a great advance for women.

"There has never been an improvement on the pap smear procedure prior to the release of Veda-scope," she said.

"I’m so pleased that they’re looking at another way for give a pap smear examination. It’s about time".

Ms Crocker said women would be more likely to be regularly tested for cervical abnormalities if the tests were more comfortable.

"Everyone I have used the Veda-scope on has said they don’t mind paying 10 dollars for the speculum because it’s so much more comfortable for them," she said.

Dr Cherry said despite the enthusiasm of patients, the Veda-scope had not been whole-heartedly adopted by the members of the medical profession.

"Some doctors are concerned about the fact that a variety of tests are not possible with one pap smear using the Veda-scope," she said.

7th October - Australian women hightest demand in world for contraceptive implant

Since its release in Australia earlier this year, the contraceptive implant, Implanon, has been more popular with women than anywhere else in the world.

FPWA (formerly Family Planning WA) Medical Consultant Dr Sue Cherry said 27,000 implants had been sold in Australia since May, with 4,000 in Western Australia alone.

"That's the highest rate of usage per capita anywhere in the world," she said.

Implanon, developed in the Netherlands, has been available in Europe since 1999 and is effective for three years.

The device, a matchstick sized flexible plastic rod is placed under the skin of the upper arm and releases a steady stream of the progestogen hormone, etonogestrel into the bloodstream.

Dr Cherry said the device offered a high degree of protection against pregnancy with 99.93% effectiveness as well as the convenience of not having to take a pill.

FPWA Manager of Clinical Services Steve Blackwell said this convenience was what made Implanon attractive to so many Australian women.

"It's just another choice for women," he said. "It's very convenient, it's fast acting, and once it's removed, pre-existing levels of fertility return quickly."

Mr Blackwell said another advantage of using Implanon was that, while the pill used two different hormones to protect against pregnancy, Implanon used only one.

Dr Cherry said 6,000 doctors were trained to insert and remove Implanon in Australia and 794 in metropolitan and rural Western Australia. Training was through FPWA.

Prices will vary but FPWA charges a $20 administration fee ($10 concession) which entitles clients to a year’s use of the clinic and library services. The device costs $22 and the insertion fee is $25. This is $67 for three years, compared to over $200 for comparable forms of contraception.

17th September - Young people playing it safe with condom use on the rise

A recent study in Melbourne shows that the safe sex message is getting through to young people with a 13% increase in condom use over the past year.

Condom use among 16-24 year olds is at an all-time high of 58.3%, while the number of sexually active people in this age group decreased, according to a condom maker Ansell.

Quarry Health Centre Manager Deborah Wright said the figures were encouraging as they showed that it is a smaller number of young adults having sex and making good decisions about their sexual health.

"It is important to practice safe sex not only to avoid unplanned pregnancy, but also to protect against HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs)," she said.

According to Ms Wright, there is more to sex than just penetration.

"There are a whole range of sexual activities a couple can enjoy that don’t require condoms," she said.

"Kissing, hugging, touching, use your imagination…….."

Quarry Health Centre is a sexual health service for young people, that provides clinic, counselling and education.

16th September ~ Contraception choices

The range of contraception options available to sexually active people is better than ever before, according to FPWA Manager of Clinical Services Steve Blackwell.

For those aiming to prevent pregnancy, there is a variety of methods available to choose from. All methods are different so it is important to find the one that suits you individually.

"The most important thing is to discuss your lifestyle needs with your doctor and decide on the best method for yourself – some women choose to take an oral contaceptive pill, others and injection or an implant. Others prefer barrier methods."

"The doctors and nurses at FPWA are specialists in sexual health, and are well trained to help you decide on the best option for yourself," Mr Blackwell said.

According to Mr Blackwell, it is also encouraging to see that more young people than ever before are making good sexual health choices.

A recent study in Melbourne shows that the safe sex message is getting through to young people with a 13% increase in condom use over the past year.

Condom use among 16-24 year olds is at an all-time high of 58.3%, while the number of sexually active people in this age group decreased, according to a condom maker Ansell.

Mr Blackwell said the figures were encouraging as they showed that it is a smaller number of young adults having sex and making good decisions about their sexual health.

"It is important to practice safe sex not only to avoid unplanned pregnancy, but also to protect against HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs)," he said.

FPWA (formerly Family Planning WA) provides clinic, counselling, education, library and specialist programmes.

4th September - FPWA to receive over $50,000 to update office equipment

The Lotteries Commission will present a cheque for $53,115 to FPWA (formerly the Family Planning WA) tomorrow, to be used to purchase new office equipment, furniture and information technology.

Information Services Manager Lynne Wilde said 3 photocopiers, a video camera, TV/VCR and a laptop computer were amongst the items to be bought with the grant money.

"The grant has provided us with the opportunity to update our equipment and provide a better information service for the public," she said.

FPWA is a not for profit organisation which has been providing a statewide specialist sexual health service for 29 years.

As well as clinic, counselling, education and training, the organisation provides the largest sexual health library in Australia.

FPWA is often called upon to provide the most up-to-date sexual and reproductive health information to doctors, nurses and other health professionals and organisations from all over the country.

19th June - Compulsory sex tests to cost community millions

Proposed mandatory testing of sex workers is unnecessary and may cost the community over $15 million a year, according to the Coalition for Decriminalisation of Sex Work (CDSW).

CDSW spokesperson Janelle Fawkes said sex workers have proven their ability to self-regulate the sexual health of the industry.

"Research has shown that sex workers have a lower rate of sexually transmissible infections than the general population," she said.

According to Ms Fawkes, the Labor Government should take into consideration that other states have rejected mandatory testing when decriminalising sex work.

"Sexual health is the responsibility of all sexually active individuals," she said.

"Legislation should not specifically target sex workers as public health and criminal laws already cover communicable diseases and sexually transmissible infections."

The CDSW is a coalition of organisations with a concern for, and interest in the sex industry in Western Australia. It has been formed to ensure that new legislation is appropriate both for sex workers and the wider community.

11th June - Implanon supplies sold out

A new birth control implant has been so popular in Perth that the product has sold out within two weeks of being released in Australia.

FPWA (formerly Family Planning WA) clinic has reported an average of one woman per day undergoing a procedure to insert Implanon, since it’s introduction three weeks ago.

Implanon, which is effective against pregnancy for three years, has been so popular that Perth women are having to put their names on waiting lists at pharmacies for the product.

According to FPWA Manager of Clinical Services Steve Blackwell, FPWA has been inundated with calls from women interested in Implanon.

According to Mr Blackwell, about 30 clients have had a consultation and of those 21 women have undergone a procedure to insert Implanon.

"However while we can prescribe Implanon to suitable clients, they will still face about a three week wait for the product to arrive in pharmacies," he said.

The device, which is placed directly under the skin of the upper arm, releases the hormone progestogen slowly into the bloodstream.

According to FPWA Medical Consultant Sue Cherry, Implanon gives the advantage of not having to worry about taking a tablet each day, and provides greater choice of contraception.

Dr Cherry said Implanon is also beneficial to those women who cannot tolerate oestrogens contained in most oral contraceptives.

"As well as preventing the release of an egg cell from the ovaries, Implanon causes changes that make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb," Dr Cherry said.

"In trials overseas so far, no pregnancies have been reported by women using Implanon," she said.

FPWA has trained over 300 doctors throughout the state over the past year, in the advantages and disadvantages of the device, as well as giving them an opportunity to practice insertion.

4th June - Free counselling for country women

Family Planning WA is offering free counselling to women in country WA who are dealing with issues of unplanned pregnancy and abortion.

According to Manager of the Roe St Centre for human relationships Antonia Clissa, there is a lack of specialist services in rural and remote areas, which are able to guarantee a private and confidential service.

The centre, which specialises in sexual health, is offering phone counselling to women, family members and partners, who are faced with the tough decisions surrounding unplanned pregnancy.

According to Ms Clissa, unplanned pregnancy raises many concerns and questions for women of all ages and situations.

"The counselling services is really useful for those who are ambivalent and undecided about their pregnancy and want to thrash out the pros and cons," she said.

"We are a non-judgemental and non-directive service which aims to help people make the best decision for themselves in the context of their circumstances."

All counsellors available for the Healthways funded phone counselling have a depth of experience and knowledge on the issues with a professional background.

"The advantage of this service is that it is anonymous and private and it also gives people access to further counselling if needed," she said.

People can call and make an appointment and can access up to six free sessions with a counsellor.

For counselling on any other issues, the cost is $25 with a healthcare card, $45 without and $50 for couples.

22nd May - Coalition calls for sex industry consultation 

In the wake of ALP Government promises to address the issue of prostitution in Western Australia, community groups are calling for a say in the consultation process.

According to the Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Prostitution (CDP), the State Government should decriminalise prostitution and set up a board to develop regulations that connect with other existing areas of legislation.

According to CDP spokesperson Judi St Clair, most criminal laws regulating the sex industry reflect a lack of understanding of it, particularly in relation to health measures.

"These laws create stereotypes of sex workers as deviant, irresponsible victims in need of protection and also create a criminal sub-class of people," Ms St Clair said.

"Once prostitution is decriminalised then the need to have police overseeing the industry diminishes."

According to the CDP, the sex industry should not come under police or health legislation.

"A Prostitution Control Board should be created to use existing legislation to deal with such matters as health, planning and occupational health and safety," she said.

According to Ms St Clair, draconian laws will push the industry underground, undermining sexual health strategies, which are already working effectively in Western Australia.

The CDSW is a coalition of organisations with a concern for and interest in the sex industry in Western Australia. It has been formed to ensure that new legislation governing the industry is appropriate both for industry workers and the wider community.

1st May - New 3 year contraception released tomorrow 

Women will have greater choice of contraception from next week, with the arrival of stock into the country of a new birth control implant that is effective against pregnancy for 3 years.

Implanon, a device placed directly under the skin of the upper arm, releases the hormone progestogen slowly into the bloodstream.

According to FPWA (formerly Family Planning WA) Medical Consultant Sue Cherry, Implanon gives the advantage of not having to worry about taking a tablet each day.

Dr Cherry said Implanon is also beneficial to those women who cannot tolerate oestrogens contained in most oral contraceptives.

"As well as preventing the release of an egg cell from the ovaries, Implanon causes changes that make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb," Dr Cherry said.

"In trials overseas so far, no pregnancies have been reported by women using Implanon," she said.

FPWA has trained over 300 doctors throughout the state over the past year, in the advantages and disadvantages of the device, as well as giving them an opportunity to practice insertion.

According to Dr Cherry, women who are interested in Implanon should consult their doctors to find out whether it is suitable for them and talk about the possible side effects.

Implanon is due for release in Australia on Friday, but won’t be available for one or two weeks from pharmacies.

Page last updated Wed, 07 Jun 2006 09:39