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PCOS Concerns but Not Ready for the Pill – Questions to Ask Your GP

PCOS Concerns but Not Ready for the Pill - Questions to Ask Your GP

Many people with PCOS feel pressured to start hormonal birth control before fully understanding their condition. Asking the right questions can help clarify what is being investigated, what options exist beyond the pill, and how symptoms can be monitored over time. A GP consultation should focus on understanding individual concerns, not rushing treatment decisions.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many patients report feeling rushed toward hormonal birth control as a first step, even when they are unsure it aligns with their goals, symptoms, or stage of life.

If you have PCOS concerns and are hesitant about starting the pill straight away, a thoughtful discussion with a Brisbane female GP or Brisbane female doctor can help clarify what is being assessed and what options may be appropriate for you.

This blog focuses on the types of questions that support informed conversations, rather than promoting any single treatment approach.

Why many patients feel unsure about starting the pill

Hormonal birth control is commonly used in PCOS management, particularly for cycle regulation and symptom control. However, hesitation is common. Some patients are concerned about side effects, others are trying to conceive in the future, and some simply want a clearer understanding of their diagnosis before committing to long term medication.

Feeling unsure does not mean refusing care. It often means wanting:

  • A clearer explanation of what PCOS is in their specific case
  • Confirmation that symptoms have been properly investigated
  • Time to consider options rather than feeling rushed

A GP consultation should allow space for these concerns.

"What does PCOS mean for me specifically?"

PCOS can present very differently from person to person. Some experience irregular periods, others struggle with acne, excess hair growth, or weight changes, and some have minimal outward symptoms.

A useful starting question is:

What features of PCOS are relevant in my case?

This encourages discussion about diagnostic criteria, symptoms, and whether additional assessment is needed. For some patients, this conversation overlaps with broader period concerns or hormonal discussions rather than focusing solely on medication.

"What investigations are being done, and why?"

Many patients feel dismissed when symptoms are attributed to PCOS without explanation. Asking about investigations helps ensure clarity.

Questions may include:

  • What blood tests are being ordered and what do they assess?
  • Is imaging necessary in my situation?
  • How do these results influence management decisions?

Understanding the purpose of tests can help patients feel more involved and reassured, even when results are within expected ranges.

"What are the goals of treatment right now?"

Treatment goals vary depending on age, symptoms, and personal priorities. For some, regulating cycles is the main concern. For others, it may be fertility planning, symptom management, or long term metabolic health.

Asking:

What are we trying to achieve in the short term and long term?

can shift the focus from a single solution to a broader plan. This discussion often fits within a general health approach rather than a narrow, one size fits all pathway.

"Are there options besides hormonal birth control?"

This is often the most important question for patients who feel hesitant. Asking about alternatives does not mean rejecting the pill entirely. It simply opens the conversation.

A GP may discuss:

  • Lifestyle considerations that support overall health
  • Monitoring symptoms over time before starting medication
  • Non contraceptive management strategies where appropriate
  • When hormonal treatment might become more relevant

In some cases, contraceptive options may still be discussed through contraception services, but ideally within a shared decision making framework.

"How will my symptoms be reviewed over time?"

PCOS is not static. Symptoms, priorities, and responses to management can change. Asking about follow up helps establish continuity.

Helpful questions include:

  • When should we review my symptoms or results?
  • What changes should prompt another appointment?
  • How will we reassess if this approach is not helping?

This reinforces that care is ongoing rather than a single appointment with a fixed outcome.

"How does PCOS affect other aspects of my health?"

Many patients are unaware that PCOS can intersect with broader health considerations over time. A GP discussion may include:

  • Metabolic health
  • Menstrual regularity
  • Fertility planning
  • Emotional wellbeing

For some, this opens the door to conversations around stress, mood changes, or body image, which may also involve support through mental health care where appropriate.

Creating space for informed decisions

One of the most common frustrations expressed by patients is feeling rushed. Asking thoughtful questions helps slow the process and ensures decisions are made collaboratively.

Clinics that focus on women’s health, such as Sirona Women’s Health, often aim to provide this space by prioritising listening, explanation, and follow up rather than pushing immediate solutions.

When it is reasonable to revisit the conversation

Choosing not to start the pill immediately does not close the door on future options. Many patients revisit hormonal treatments later when circumstances change. What matters is feeling informed and supported at each stage.

A productive GP relationship allows for:

  • Ongoing discussion as symptoms evolve
  • Reassessment of risks and benefits over time
  • Respect for patient preferences alongside clinical guidance

Taking the next step with confidence

PCOS can feel overwhelming, particularly when advice feels rushed or unclear. Asking the right questions helps shift the consultation toward understanding and partnership.

Whether or not hormonal birth control becomes part of your care, a GP appointment should leave you feeling heard, informed, and confident about the next steps.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.

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At Sirona Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to providing you with the personalised, high-quality care you deserve. Our experienced all-female clinic, serving Annerley and the Greater Brisbane area, is ready to listen, support, and empower you through every stage of your healthcare journey.

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What we do

INTRODUCTION

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. Our obligations are set under the Privacy Act 1988.

WHAT IS PRIVACY?

As an individual, the Privacy Act grants you enhanced authority over the management of your personal data. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:

  • Understand the purpose behind the collection of your personal data, its intended use, and who will have access to it.
  • Opt not to disclose your identity or to use an alias in specific situations.
  • Request access to your personal data, including health information.
  • Cease receiving unsolicited direct marketing communications.
  • Request correction of any inaccuracies in your personal information.
  • Lodge a complaint against an organization or agency covered by the Privacy Act if you believe they have mishandled your personal information.

WHY AND WHEN YOUR CONSENT IS NECESSARY

By becoming a patient at our practice, you grant consent for our general practitioners and practice personnel to access and utilize your personal data to deliver optimal healthcare services. Access to your personal information will be restricted to staff members who require it for your care. Should there arise a necessity to utilize your information for purposes beyond healthcare provision, we will obtain your explicit consent beforehand.

HOW CAN YOU LODGE A PRIVACY RELATED COMPLAINT AND HOW THE COMPLAINT WILL BE HANDLED AT OUR PRACTICE

We treat privacy-related complaints and concerns with utmost seriousness. We encourage you to communicate any privacy issues you may have in written form. Subsequently, we will endeavor to address and resolve them in accordance with our established resolution procedure. Complaints can be forwarded to our Practice Manager delivered to 1/720 Ipswich Road, Annerley 4103. You may also wish to have a confidential chat with our Practice Manager beforehand. Our Practice Manager can be reached by phoning our practice during business hours – Monday – Friday. All complaints are likely to be responded to and actioned within 2 business days.

WHY DO WE COLLECT, USE, HOLD AND SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

To deliver healthcare services effectively, our practice requires the collection of your personal information. Our primary objective in collecting, utilizing, storing, and managing your personal data is to oversee your healthcare needs. Additionally, we employ this information for associated business activities, including financial transactions, practice evaluations, accreditation processes, and operational functions such as staff training.

DEALING WITH OUT PRACTICE ANONYMOUSLY

You possess the right to engage with us anonymously or under a pseudonym, unless such actions are deemed impractical, or unless legal obligations or authorizations necessitate interaction solely with identified individuals.

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

Your doctor relies on information regarding your past and present health to deliver quality care. Data pertaining to your health, medical history, or anticipated medical treatments is termed “personal health information” if it enables someone to identify you.

Our practice adheres to the Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector outlined by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner. This commitment ensures the confidentiality and security of your personal health information.

We maintain a documented policy outlining the handling of your personal health information, which is accessible to all patients for review.

The information we collect encompasses:

  • Names, date of birth, addresses, and contact details
  • Medical details including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunizations, social history, family history, and risk factors
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
  • Healthcare identifiers
  • Health fund details

HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Our practice may gather your personal information through various channels:

  • During your initial appointment, our staff will collect your personal and demographic details as part of the registration process.
  • Throughout the provision of medical services, we may gather additional personal information.
  • Your personal information may also be obtained when you interact with us via our website, email, SMS, telephone calls, online appointments, or social media.
  • In certain situations, personal information may be sourced from other avenues, as it may not always be feasible or reasonable to collect it directly from you. This may involve information obtained from your guardian or responsible person, other healthcare providers involved in your care (such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services, pathology, and diagnostic imaging services), as well as pertinent information from your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs when necessary.

PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Our practice frequently receives communications via email, however in order to adhere to Australian Privacy Principals and ensure a more efficient and reliable service for our patients, we have transitioned away from email as our primary form of communication.

It’s important to note that our practice also does not engage in communication with patients via social media. We have implemented a social media policy to ensure adherence to professional standards. If you would like a copy of this policy, please inform our reception staff.

Our patients are still able to submit non-urgent enquiries via email or via our website however depending on the nature of the enquiry, should expect a 2 day turn around. For more urgent matters, we encourage our patients to phone our Practice during business hours – Monday-Friday.

Privacy is a priority for us, even on our website. Here’s how we ensure your privacy is respected:

  • Secure Connection: Our website is encrypted to protect your data when you interact with us online.
  • Limited Data Collection: We only collect necessary personal information on our website, and we’re transparent about what we collect and why.
  • Data Protection Measures: We employ robust security measures to safeguard any information you provide on our website from unauthorized access or misuse.
  • Third-Party Policies: If our website uses third-party services (like analytics or social media plugins), we ensure they also prioritize user privacy.
  • Cookie Policy: We inform you about our use of cookies and give you options to manage your preferences.
  • Clear Communication: We’re upfront about our privacy practices and provide easy-to-understand

WHERE WE STORE AND PROTECT PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

This practice utilizes electronic records for efficient management of patient information. Any physical documents such as specialist letters, X-rays, CT scans, and pathology results received via post are securely stored away from public view until they are scanned into our computer system. Once the necessary actions have been taken, these documents are securely destroyed following appropriate protocols.

To ensure the security of personal health information, our practice implements various measures including screen savers, passwords, anti-viral software, firewalls, regular data backups, and maintenance routines.

Your doctor is committed to maintaining the integrity of your medical record, ensuring that it is:

  • Accurate, comprehensive, well-organized, and legible
  • Up-to-date
  • Sufficiently informative for another healthcare provider to deliver care
  • Free of offensive or irrelevant remarks
  • Includes a summary of your care
  • Can be used, with your permission, to remind you of follow-up appointments, checkups, and reviews

Your doctor will only collect information that is pertinent to your medical care. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the information being requested, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for clarification.

WHEN, WHY AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

We occasionally share your personal information in the following circumstances:

  • With third parties collaborating with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers. These third parties are obligated to adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and our privacy policy.
  • With other healthcare providers involved in your care.
  • When required or authorized by law, such as in response to court subpoenas.
  • In situations where it is necessary to mitigate or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety, or when obtaining the patient’s consent is impractical.
  • To aid in locating a missing person or to establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim.
  • For confidential dispute resolution processes.
  • When statutory requirements mandate sharing certain personal information, such as mandatory notification of certain diseases.
  • As part of providing medical services, including through electronic transfer of prescriptions and My Health Record.
  • When booking appointments online via Hotdoc.

Access to your information is restricted to individuals who require it for legitimate purposes. Outside of providing medical services or as outlined in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your written consent.

We will not disclose your personal information to entities outside Australia (except under exceptional circumstances permitted by law) without your written consent. Our practice will refrain from using your personal information for direct marketing of our goods or services without your explicit consent. If you do consent, you retain the right to opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

Your personal information may be utilized by our practice to enhance the quality of services we offer through research and analysis of patient data. We may provide de-identified data to other organizations to improve population health outcomes. This information is securely stored within Australia, and patients cannot be individually identified. If you prefer not to have your information included, please inform our reception staff.

HOW YOU CAN ACCESS AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the right to access the information contained in your medical record. We believe that sharing information fosters good communication between you and your doctor, promoting optimal healthcare.

Upon request, your doctor can provide you with an accurate and up-to-date summary of your care, such as when you are relocating and transitioning to a new healthcare provider. Feel free to ask your doctor for a summary of your care for any reason. If you request access to your full medical record or a summary, your doctor may need to redact any information provided by others on a confidential basis.

Your doctor must also consider the potential risk of physical or mental harm to you or others that could arise from disclosing your health information. While there are circumstances where access may be denied, you will be informed of the reasons if this occurs. In most cases, your doctor will gladly provide a thorough explanation of the health summary or medical record provided. Please note that a small but reasonable administration fee may be charged for such access, as well as the time spent with your doctor.

If you discover that the information in your record is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, our practice will take reasonable steps to rectify it. We may periodically ask you to confirm that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. Additionally, you can request corrections or updates to your information by submitting written requests to our practice via email.

We do not recommend erasing information from your record, as this may lead to incomplete documentation.

POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT

This privacy policy undergoes regular review to ensure alignment with any changes that may arise. A copy of the most recent version of the privacy policy will always be accessible at the reception desk for your reference.

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Please write your details as they appear on your Medicare Card.
Birth Sex
I identify as
Pronouns
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Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander decent?
Sirona Women’s Health acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging.
Preferred contact method
I hold a current and valid
Colour
Do you consent to Sirona Women’s Health sending you SMS reminders for your upcoming appointments/clinical reminders?
I authorise Sirona Women’s Health to contact my NOK/ Emergency contact if needed.
Do you consent to Sirona Women’s Health contacting you via email?
I acknowledge that I have read and comprehend the practice privacy brochure (copy found on our website).
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