Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT)

Press Release: Withdrawal for products distributed as condoms

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Across 7 and 8 August 2024, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) issued a product withdrawal for products distributed as condoms by SHFPACT.

Product Withdrawal from Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) is issuing a product withdrawal for products distributed as condoms by SHFPACT since January 2024.

Mirena update from the TGA

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently announced that the Mirena IUD can now be used for contraception (preventing pregnancy) for up to 8 years.

50 Years Anniversary Celebrations photos

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

SHFPACT We celebrated 50 years of serving the Canberra community Friday, 22 March 2024, at Belconnen Arts Centre. Photos by Nathan J. Lester. NCD Roses POP-Up Exhibition 50 Years Arrival Sharing new projects 50 Years 50 Years 50 Years 50 Years ...

National Condom Day 2024

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

It’s getting to that time of year again! National Condom Day is almost upon us, landing on Wednesday 14 February 2024. Sharing the date with Valentine's Day, National Condom Day, is an opportunity to celebrate safer sex and healthy relationships.

Condoms, National Condom Day, Safe Sex, Outreach

An image of the lower half of a woman with a red top and blue jeans. Her hands are placed over there private area.

Make your sexual health check less, erm ... awkward

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Many people find the idea of a sexual health check awkward or embarrassing. After all, it’s not every day someone you barely know asks you intimate details about your sex life or asks to examine your genitals.

Cervical Screening, PAP Test, STI, Womens Health, Mens Health, Reproductive Health

The Safer Girls Safer Women Project Update 2023

Written by Sheridan Kerr. Posted in News & Updates.

A future where people with disability, inclusive of all identities, experience social and sexual safety everywhere and always.

Cervical Screening : Impact Over Time: Case Study

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

The way SHFPACT has responded to and promoted important changes in medical technology and innovation in healthcare provision, through its direct clinical services, its focus on skilling the health and health promotion workforce, and community education and information services, provides an exemplar of how the edge of our work is always moving in the right direction to achieve our purpose of improving sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Canberra community.

Cervical Screening, HPV

2023 Annual General Meeting Announcement

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

SHFPACT Council invites you to the Annual General Meeting of Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT Incorporated (SHFPACT).

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT statement on the October 2023 referendum result

Written by Tim Bavinton. Posted in News & Updates.

SHFPACT affirmed its support for the referendum proposal put to the Australian electorate in October 2023.

Don’t believe the hype. Menopausal women don’t all need to check – or increase – their testosterone levels

Written by Susan Davis | Monash University. Posted in News & Updates.

Ever heard “low testosterone” blamed for low mood, brain fog and loss of vitality? Despite all evidence to the contrary, social media influencers are increasingly promoting testosterone therapy as an elixir for women experiencing troubling symptoms of menopause. In a series of documentaries and social media posts about menopause in 2021 and 2022, British TV presenter Davina McCall promoted the use of testosterone therapy in addition to standard menopausal hormone therapy. The “Davina effect” has helped fuel a ten-fold increase in prescribing of testosterone for women in the United Kingdom since...

Menopause, Womens Health

SHFPACT is looking for new board members

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Are you seeking an opportunity to help govern an organistion leading sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canberra? Get in touch with us! SHFPACT is looking for new board members.

New pelvic pain and endometriosis service

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT Inc (SHFPACT) is pleased to be the successful applicant in Canberra under a new Australian Government funding round commissioned through Primary Healthcare Networks (PHNs) to improve health system responsiveness to pelvic pain and endometriosis.

Trans Day of Visibility

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender-diverse experiences and achievements. On 31 March, celebrate with gender-diverse people all around Australia by sharing stories, starting conversations, and attending events.

National Condom Day! It's a wrap!

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

National Condom Day! It's a wrap! Did we catch them all, maybe... Each year on 14 February (Valentine's Day), SHFPACT celebrates National Condom Day, a day to encourage and promote the use of condoms. This year's theme was "Catch them in the act", as we reminded everyone that condoms are a great way to reduce the transmission of STIs and HIV, and help prevent unplanned pregnancy.

\Graphic image of hand in the air and the words Volunteers Needed!

Call for Volunteers

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Did you know that SHFPACT distributes over 5000 condom packs around the ACT every year?! They’re all packed by hand, mostly by volunteers - and we always need more. Condoms are a great way to reduce the transmission of STIs and BBVs, and help to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Each pack contains two condoms as well as lubricant and health information. These condom packs are handed out for free at various health promotion events including at various universities, colleges and community organisations as well as readily available for clients at our clinic.

Life-Saving Game Changer for Trans, Non-Binary & Intersex People

Written by Alexander Thatcher. Posted in News & Updates.

Cancer is probably one of the most dreaded words you can hear from your doctor. It’s a major cause of illness, and over one million people in Australia are either living with or have lived with cancer. Medical professionals tell us that understanding and avoiding the risk factors associated with cancer can help reduce the chance of getting the disease, and statistics show that screening programs increase the likelihood of detecting cancer early, enabling better outcomes from treatments.

Books that affirm LGBTIQA+ diversity

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Thanks to a grant from the ACT Government's Capital of Equality Grants Round, 2222 was spent building a resource bank for ACT School libraries.

Image Text Banner for Safer Girls Safer Women Inaugural Conference 2022

Safer Girls Safer Women Inaugural Symposium 2022

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Safer Girls, Safer Women, creating a culture of social and sexual safety with, and for, girls and women with disability.

Intersex Awareness Day

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Wednesday, 26 October, is Intersex Awareness Day. This Intersex Awareness Day we encourage others learn about, support and stand with intersex people. Here at Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT, we promote health and wellbeing for all, and believe that intersex people are important and valued members of our community.

A graphic of different types of couples against a yellow background.

Protecting yourself & Staying Safe

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Protecting yourself and your sexual partners from STIs is important and easy. On this page, you'll find all the info about Sexually Transmissible Infections ( STIs).

Make Art About Consent

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT Youth Advisory Group and the ACT Government Youth Advisory Council have teamed up with local Street Artist Bohie to make art about consent! Are you 12 to 25 years old and someone who cares about consent? Want to connect with other like-minded people? Join us for an exciting project! All genders and abilities are welcome; no art skills are required.Planning sessions are on 01/09 and 08/09 from 4.30pm-6.30pm and we're making art on 05/10 and 06/10 from 10am-3pm. There's no cost to participate, but places are limited.If you’re keen to join, email This email...

Easy, Quick, Private, Life Saving! You can now do a Self-Collected Cervical Screening test

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

The new Self-Collected Cervical Screening Tests now make it easier, quicker, and more private. This is how it works and why you should get tested. It could save your life! WHAT IS THE CERVICAL SCREENING TEST? The Cervical Screening Test is a simple test that is one of the best ways we have to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is preventable with regular cervical screening because pre-cancerous changes can be found and easily treated so that cancer does not develop.

Cervical Screening, HPV

atercolour illustration of many different types of women on a light pink background, AusCAPPS Join Now

Join the AusCAPPS Network

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

The Australian Contraception and Abortion Primary Care Practitioner Support (AusCAPPS) Network supports the Australian primary care workforce (including general practitioners, practice nurses and community pharmacists) in providing contraception and abortion care. AusCAPPS is a national, secure and free online space that provides:

A photo of hands placed onto of each other in solidarity.

Joint Statement On Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is the very core of women’s autonomy and freedom. The Women’s Legal Centre ACT and Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT are united in their commitment to protect the right of women and all people to control over their own bodies and to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health without threat or coercion.

What is normal vaginal discharge

Written by Melissa Kang. Posted in News & Updates.

V-juice, vovey-goo, vu-dew… there are many ways to describe the natural fluid that comes out of the vagina. It varies in consistency, texture, smell, taste and volume in the same woman from day to day, week to week, month to month and beyond. During puberty, several hormones act together to grow the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and external genitals. The hormones oestrogen and progesterone contribute most to the evolution of the glorious ecosystem that is the adult vagina.

Vagina

Four things you didn’t know about periods

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

When you first learn about periods and get your first one, there's a lot to take in, and get used to; tracking your cycle, managing the flow, and regularly changing your pads or tampons. Often shushed by society, period talk – even into adulthood – can seem like whispered 'women's-only' business, a taboo topic rather than a crucial and celebrated part of women's health. So in case you missed a menstrual memo, or just want to learn more, here are four things you may not know about the menstrual cycle. To start with, sex shouldn’t hurt, and if it does, a good tip is to say “stop”, no matter...

Periods, Womens Health

A photo of a older couple in bed together surround by red roses

Let’s talk about sex over 60

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Let’s talk about sex over 60: condoms, casual partners and the ageing body. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Australians aged 60 years and older. Both rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia have risen significantly internationally. STIs can be accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms and health complications, or lead to major chronic conditions, in the case of HIV. It’s therefore important STIs are diagnosed and treated, regardless of age. To understand why STIs are on the rise, we need to know more about older people’s...

Text based illustration with the words ' is it normal to get sore down there after sex?

Is it normal to get sore or have pain after sex?

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Sex should never hurt! Hi! I only recently have gotten a boyfriend and have started having regular sex. After 2 or more days, it starts to get a bit sore down there. Is that normal? I just assumed it was pain from friction, but I don’t know if that’s right and I’ve never sought help because it’s a bit embarrassing!Sandra, 17, in Sydney To start with, sex shouldn’t hurt, and if it does, a good tip is to say “stop”, no matter what! The aftermath of sex also shouldn’t hurt – whether it’s two minutes, two hours or two days later....

Womens Health, Sexual Health

A Photo of scrabble pieces on a white background that say 'We are having a baby'.

Pregnancy tips

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

Deciding that you're ready to start trying for a baby can be an exciting time. There can be feelings of eagerness, anticipation, and often some nerves. Here we provide some tips and tools to help you plan and prepare for pregnancy in a positive, proactive way.

Pregnancy

Various sized fruit and vegetables with Condoms against a pink background and the words 'Condoms are for Every Body".

National Condom Day 2022

Written by SHFPACT. Posted in News & Updates.

'Condoms are for Every Body' National Condom Day is a health promotion event in Australia that promotes safe sex and the important role condoms can play in preventing sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy and a perfect chance to raise awareness of healthy relationships, and safe, consensual sex. This year's theme is 'Condoms are for Every Body', so go grab your FREE rose and condom pack! – Details of participating locations are below.

Condoms, National Condom Day, Safe Sex, Outreach

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