New bulk-billing contraceptive centres aim to combat information void

Australia has a low uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives, but the federal government says it's working to give women more choice. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Experts have reported that fewer young people worldwide are using hormonal contraceptives, including long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs and Implanon, and uptake is even lower in Australia than in comparable countries.

They point to barriers like cost, service availability and a lack of information, while misinformation can make it harder for people to make informed choices.

The federal government hopes that new bulk-billing contraceptive centres, which provide counselling and free insertion and removal services, will help empower people to make their own choices.

Alice Gibney is not sure what could convince her to try a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC), such as an IUD or Implanon.

The 37-year-old mother of two struggled with mood stability issues while on the contraceptive pill when she was younger.

That was part of the reason she never properly looked into using a LARC.

Alice Gibney is concerned about how an IUD or implanon would impact her. (Supplied: Alice Gibling)

Ms Gibney also has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum, so she is worried about how the hormones could affect her.

"I've not once looked into it just because, knowing myself well, I strongly assume that I would have a similar kind of sensitivity to the hormones in a LARC," she said.

"I'm scared of what the cost would be for me personally, just from an emotional perspective."

Yasmine Cumming was also hesitant about using a long-acting contraceptive.

The 25-year-old was on the contraceptive pill for six years, but said it was "mucking around" with her mood.

After trialling different pills, doctors recommended she consider LARCs.

Yasmine Cumming was initially hesitant about using a long-acting reversible contraceptive, but she says she's happy she made the change. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

"Only because I didn't know anyone that had had it, so I didn't have any advice from friends or any experiences to go off."

While she said the first month or so was "quite rough", she now says it was the "best decision" she ever made.

"I've had no problems. Wouldn't even know it's there," she said.

"I used to get really, really painful periods as well, and now I don't even get a period, which is nice [because] I don't have this intense pain every month.

Yasmine Cumming says while the first month was "quite rough", she hasn't looked back. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Yasmine and Alice's stories pro