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means drugs that are used to stop you from feeling pain during a medical procedure.
Where the uterus narrows and connects to the vagina
A person whose gender is the same as the sex assigned to them at birth (male or female).
When doctors, nurses or other health practitioners choose not to provide an abortion. Conscientious objection is allowed under ACT law. However, this does not mean that doctors, nurses or other health practitioners can stop you from having an abortion with another doctor or practitioner. A doctor, nurse or other health practitioner cannot conscientiously object if a pregnant person’s life is in danger.
Generally, consent means that you give permission, or agree, for something to happen. It applies to lots of different situations. Consent must be voluntary, which means you are not pressured. It must also be informed, which means you have full understanding of what you are agreeing to.
On this website, we use consent when talking about sexual activity with another person. This includes how you use contraception in any sexual activity. We also use consent when talking about medical treatment and procedures.
A person must have your consent for sexual activity. This means you agree to sexual activity with them. All sexual activity, not just penis in vagina sex, is included.
If you give consent once does not mean that you give it in the future. You can change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time. It is sexual violence if someone has sex or does sexual things to you, and you do not agree.
You are not consenting if you are pressured to become pregnant, continue a pregnancy, or have an abortion. If someone is pressuring you or forcing you, this is called reproductive abuse. Sometimes it is called reproductive violence or coercion.
Reproductive abuse includes interfering with contraception without your knowledge. It also includes forcing or pressuring you to use types of contraception that you do not want to use.
You can talk to someone about your experience sexual violence or reproductive abuse by calling 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.
Consenting to medical treatment means that you agree to have the treatment. Treatment can include tests, scans, medications, or surgical procedures. You need to have information and properly understand the treatment to consent. This includes any risks or consequences. This is called informed consent
You can give informed consent to medical treatment if you are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18 years of age, generally your parent/s or guardian/s will need to consent to treatment. There are some circumstances where you may be able to give consent on your own. You can find out more about consenting to medical treatment if you are under the age of 18 from Youth Law Australia.
A small, flexible plastic rod inserted just under the skin in the upper arm. It is a contraceptive device. It releases a small amount of the hormone progestogen into the body to prevent pregnancy in a woman or person who can become pregnant. The contraceptive implant needs to be inserted and removed by a trained doctor or nurse. It is sometimes referred to as the rod or Implanon.
A thin latex sheet used to cover the vulva or anus during oral sex to prevent passing on of sexually transmissible infections. Dental dams can be bought from the pharmacy.
A pregnancy that is growing outside the uterus or womb, usually in the fallopian tubes.
A group of cells that will grow into a foetus, and eventually a baby.
A pair of tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Ovaries release eggs which travel through the fallopian tubes. If an egg is fertilised by sperm (from the penis of a sexual partner) it will develop into a pregnancy.
Fallopian tubes are part of the reproductive system of a person who can become pregnant.
Gestation means the amount of time you’ve been pregnant. It is measured in weeks and days.
Hormones are chemicals that send messages in the body, including to our reproductive systems. Estrogen and progesterone are the reproductive main hormones for a person with a uterus.
Some forms of contraception use hormones like the ones our bodies make to prevent pregnancies from developing. This includes the Pill, the Mini Pill, some IUDs and the contraceptive implant.
A T-shaped contraceptive device which a doctor inserts into the uterus of a woman or person who can become pregnant to prevent pregnancy. There are hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs. They are effective for 5 to 10 years depending on the type. They need to be inserted and removed by a trained doctor. They are sometimes referred to as the Mirena, Kyleena or Copper T.
Types of contraception which do not need to be used, changed or applied more than once a cycle or month. This includes intra-uterine devices (often known as the IUD, Mirena, Kyleena, or Copper T) and contraceptive implants (often known as the rod, or Implanon).
The cells that start to grow in the womb when you become pregnant.
This is a medical term for an abortion. Doctors may use this term. Sometimes it is abbreviated to TOP.
We use this as an umbrella term for anyone whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This may include trans men, trans women, and non-binary people. On this website, we often use this term for people who are able to become pregnant and/or may have an abortion who aren’t cisgender women.
A scan that uses a special probe or wand to images of the inside if your body.
Medical term for the womb. This is where a pregnancy grows in the body. It is a part of the reproductive system of a person who can become pregnant.
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