Botanic Ridge Doctors provides a full range of women's health services with female GPs including Dr Fariha Irshad (DRANZCOG Advanced) and Dr Yasmin Kazi. Services include cervical screening, contraception (IUD, Mirena, Implanon), antenatal shared care, menopause and sexual health. Bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients.
Dr Irshad holds the Advanced Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She is accredited for shared antenatal care with both Monash Health and Peninsula Health.
Her clinical interests include women's health, sexual health, general family medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and aesthetic medicine. Dr Irshad speaks four languages including English.
The Cervical Screening Test (CST) replaced the old Pap test in 2017. It checks for HPV (human papillomavirus), the cause of nearly all cervical cancers — and only needs to happen every 5 years for most women.
Australian guidelines recommend CST for all women aged 25–74 every 5 years, regardless of whether you've had the HPV vaccine. Your first CST should be at age 25 (or 2 years after your last Pap test if you're transitioning across).
From July 2022, the National Cervical Screening Program also offers self-collection as an option — you can perform the swab yourself in privacy with your GP nearby. This is ideal for patients who feel anxious about the speculum exam, have experienced trauma, or simply prefer the option.
Performed by your GP using a soft brush and speculum during a brief vaginal examination.
You insert the swab yourself in private. Equally accurate for HPV. Available to all women aged 25–74.
If you have symptoms like bleeding, pain or discharge, your GP may recommend a HPV + cytology co-test for fuller assessment.
Private fees may apply Please contact reception to confirm the fee.
Book a Cervical ScreeningWhether you want short-term flexibility, long-acting set-and-forget protection, or are planning for future fertility, our female GPs walk you through the full range of options — including all the long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods that are gold-standard for effectiveness.
The "pill" — combined oestrogen + progestogen, taken daily. Effective >99% with perfect use. Many brands available; we'll match the right one to your hormone profile.
Hormone pill without oestrogen — suitable while breastfeeding, after age 35, or with migraine/blood clot history.
A flexible vaginal ring you insert yourself once a month. Combined hormone (oestrogen + progestogen) — like the pill but without daily dosing.
A progestogen injection every 12 weeks. Highly effective, no daily routine. Periods often stop completely.
"Morning-after pill" (Levonelle, ulipristal/EllaOne) and emergency Copper IUD insertion within 5 days of unprotected sex.
Stopping contraception? Planning a pregnancy? We provide fertility checks, ovulation tracking advice and folic acid prescribing.
LARC methods (IUDs and Implanon) are over 99% effective, last for years, are reversible, and don't depend on you remembering anything daily. They're recommended by the World Health Organization, RACGP and Family Planning Australia as first-line contraception for most women.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device placed inside the uterus by a trained GP. There are two types — hormonal (Mirena, Kyleena) and copper (non-hormonal). Both are over 99% effective, last for years, and are fully reversible.
| Type | How long it lasts | Hormones | Effect on periods | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirena | 8 years | Levonorgestrel (low dose, locally released) | Lighter or stops completely | Heavy/painful periods, contraception, endometriosis, perimenopause HRT |
| Kyleena | 5 years | Levonorgestrel (lower dose than Mirena) | Lighter, may continue lightly | Younger/nulliparous women, those wanting smaller device |
| Copper IUD | 5–10 years | None (hormone-free) | Often heavier, possibly more cramping | Hormone-sensitive patients, breastfeeding, emergency contraception |
We confirm the IUD is right for you, take a thorough medical history, screen for STIs if needed, and give you written consent and pre-procedure instructions. Many women have this as a telehealth appointment to save a trip.
Take ibuprofen 1 hour before. Bring a support person if you'd like. The actual insertion takes 5–10 minutes. You'll lie on the bed with knees apart; we use a speculum (like a Pap test) and gently place the device. Most women describe it as 30–60 seconds of strong period-style cramping.
Stay onsite for 10–15 minutes while we make sure you're feeling OK. Most women drive home; some prefer to be picked up. Cramping usually settles within a few hours; some spotting is normal for several days to weeks.
A short follow-up to confirm everything is settled and the device is in the right position. We can usually do this as a telehealth review.
Removing a Mirena or IUD is much quicker and easier than insertion — usually 1–2 minutes. We can remove and replace at the same visit if you want to continue with another device. If you're trying for a baby, fertility returns immediately.
Private fees may apply Please contact reception to confirm the fee. The Mirena/Kyleena device cost is additional and may be subsidised under the PBS.
Book an IUD ConsultationImplanon NXT is a small (4cm) flexible rod inserted under the skin of your upper arm. It releases a steady low dose of progestogen (etonogestrel) for up to 3 years — making it over 99% effective and one of the most reliable forms of contraception available.
Local anaesthetic is given to numb a small area on the inside of your upper arm. Your GP uses a small applicator to slide the rod under the skin. No stitches needed. You leave with a small bandage.
Once inserted, you don't need to think about contraception for 3 years. There's nothing to remember and nothing that can be forgotten or lost.
Removal takes 5–10 minutes. A small incision (1cm) under local anaesthetic, and the rod is gently lifted out. Fertility returns within days.
Bulk billed The Implanon procedure (insertion and removal) is covered under Medicare — there is no procedure fee. A separate fee applies for the device itself, which is dispensed via prescription by your GP at your local pharmacy.
Book an Implanon AppointmentDr Fariha Irshad holds the Advanced Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (DRANZCOG Adv) — an advanced credential rarely held outside specialist obstetric practice. Other GPs at our clinic provide pregnancy care including Dr Yasmin Kazi.
We offer antenatal shared care in partnership with Monash Health and Peninsula Health, meaning your routine antenatal appointments happen at Botanic Ridge close to home, while specialist hospital obstetric care is reserved for the moments it's needed.
Menopause is one of the most under-treated phases of women's health in Australia. Hot flushes, sleep loss, mood changes, brain fog, weight changes, vaginal dryness, joint pain — these aren't things you have to "just put up with". Our GPs offer evidence-based management including modern Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT/HRT).
We use validated tools to map your symptoms, rule out other causes, and assess your individual risk profile for treatment options.
Modern transdermal oestrogen (patch, gel, spray) plus appropriate progestogen — including Mirena as the progestogen component. Body-identical options available.
For women who can't or prefer not to take hormones — SSRIs, gabapentin, lifestyle modification, vaginal moisturisers, pelvic physio.
Bone density, cardiovascular risk, cancer screening — menopause is a critical window to set up the next 30 years of healthy life.
STI screening, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HPV vaccines, and confidential conversations about anything you're worried about — all bulk billed for eligible patients.
Dr Fariha Irshad offers cosmetic injectables — anti-wrinkle treatment and dermal fillers — performed in a medical setting by an experienced female GP. No upselling, no pressure, just honest medical advice and high-quality outcomes.
May attract a private fee Quotes provided at consultation.
Cervical screening attracts a private fee at our clinic — the Medicare rebate covers the lab analysis but the procedure itself is billed privately. Reception will confirm the fee at booking.
Allow 30 minutes for the appointment. The actual insertion takes 5–10 minutes; the rest is consultation, consent, and a short observation period afterwards.
Most women experience strong period-style cramping during insertion lasting 30–60 seconds. Take ibuprofen 1 hour before, and consider bringing a support person. Some women find the appointment easier than expected; others find it intense — every woman's experience differs.
Mirena: 8 years. Kyleena: 5 years. Copper IUD: 5–10 years. Implanon NXT: 3 years. All can be removed earlier if you change your mind, want to try for pregnancy, or develop side effects.
Yes. Our female GPs include Dr Fariha Irshad (FRACGP, DRANZCOG Adv) and Dr Yasmin Kazi (FRACGP, DCH). You can request a female GP when booking online via HotDoc.
No referral needed. Book directly with Dr Fariha Irshad or another DRANZCOG-trained GP. We coordinate shared care with Monash Health or Peninsula Health.
Yes. Mirena is safe while breastfeeding and doesn't affect milk supply. We typically wait 6 weeks after delivery for insertion.
Removal is much quicker than insertion. We can remove and replace at the same appointment if you want. If you're trying for a baby, fertility returns immediately for hormonal IUDs and Implanon, and within days for the Copper IUD.
Bulk-billed consultations for eligible Medicare patients. Some procedures (IUD, Mirena, cervical screening) may attract a private fee. Implanon procedures are covered under Medicare — only the device itself attracts a fee. Please contact reception to confirm costs at booking.
Important: The information on this page is general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice from a qualified health practitioner. Outcomes vary between individuals — your GP will assess your specific situation and recommend the right approach for you. If you have urgent symptoms, please call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
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