Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Sexual and reproductive health are important to our overall health. We offer confidential and respectful services for everyone. A trusted space for you to find the right care for you.

We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and relationship statuses. Your sexual health needs are unique to you, and we’ll make sure you’re needs are prioritised and matched with a clinician who’s the right fit. Someone who listens, respects you, and has the expertise you need.

1. Request a call-back

Book your call with a sexual health nurse, online for a time that suits you to discuss your needs.

If your issue is time sensitive, please call the clinic on (03) 5338 4541.

Book a call-back

2. Phone consult with a sexual health nurse

Receive a call back from one of our experienced sexual health nurses who will discuss your needs and answer any questions or concerns you may have, and determine the most appropriate care for you.

3. Appointment with a sexual health nurse or doctor

Receive tailored and appropriate care to meet your needs from one of our GPs or sexual health clinicians.

Contact

Phone (03) 5338 4541

Fax (03) 5336 1613

HealthLink ID ballarcm

Clinic Location

12 Lilburne Street Lucas, Vic 3350

Sexual Health GPs

GPs provide inclusive care in Sexual & Reproductive Health, providing contraceptive care; prescribing methods, including long-acting contraception (LARC), they provide STI management, screening, diagnosing and treatment, pregnancy testing, counselling, antenatal care and options for unintended pregnancies, cervical care and menstrual and menopausal care.

Our GPs advocate for accessible and culturally safe services. They support the sexual health needs of everyone, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, adolescents and people with disabilities.

Dr Karina Vila

Dr Karina is a general medical practitioner specializing in sexual and reproductive health, women’s and adolescent health. She provides inclusive, confidential, and accessible care in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Dr Karina supports contraception choices, IUD procedures, Implanon insertion and removal, and STI checks. She works with patients of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles, and can also provide support for HIV management (PEP and PrEP) and menopause.

Dr Dilhani Withanage Dona

Dr Dilhani specializes in women’s health, particularly perimenopause and menopause support, as well as contraception options including IUD insertion.

Using a holistic approach, she believes hormone health thrives when nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management are considered alongside medical treatment.

Dr Dilhani is committed to ensuring every woman feels informed, supported, and confident in decisions about her reproductive and hormone health.

Dr Claire Pickett

Dr Claire is currently on leave.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are very experienced nurses who can check your health, diagnose conditions and prescribe treatments or medicine.

They undertake extra study at university and can work on their own and make important decisions about your care. Only nurses who are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia can be called Nurse Practitioners.

Joanna Labbett – Nurse Practitioner

Jo is a nurse practitioner specialising in women’s sexual and reproductive health. Jo received her nurse practitioner qualifications and post graduate qualifications in women’s health from the University of Melbourne.

Jo is a sexual health advocate and works to remove stigma and improve access for people to receive compassionate, timely and appropriate health care in our community.

This care involves having autonomy and choice when it comes to pregnancy choice, termination of pregnancy, contraception, STI /BBV screening, menopause management or pelvic pain.

Sexual Health Nurses

Our team provide inclusive and confidential clinical care. offering STI Testing & Treatment. They provide screenings, diagnose, and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

BCH sexual health nurses provide contraceptive support, counselling, administer contraceptive methods, including pills, injections, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Sexual Health Nurses provide pregnancy testing, contraceptive options counselling, and referrals for medical support. Sexual health nurses can discuss safe sex options with you and support your reproductive health management.

Nurse Carol

Carol has 25 years of nursing experience across Australia and overseas, working in a wide range of clinical settings. As a sexual health nurse, she brings warmth, expertise and a calm, non-judgemental approach to every consultation.

With an interest in sexual health and women’s health, Carol offers STI screening, contraception advice, cervical screening, vaccinations, unplanned pregnancy support and referrals for further care when you need them.

Whatever brings you in, Nurse Carol is committed to creating a private, respectful space where you feel heard, supported and comfortable asking whatever you need to ask.

Nurse Bernie

Bernie is a Sexual Health Nurse at Ballarat Community Health and headspace Ballarat. She’s passionate about promoting women’s and men’s health through cancer screening education and comprehensive sexual health support.

Bernie provides contraceptive advice, STI testing, vaccination, cervical screening, Implanon insertion and removal, and support for HIV management (Cabenuva injections).

She also offers informed consent education and medical monitoring for disordered eating. At headspace Ballarat, Bernie provides confidential, judgment-free sexual health services for young people aged 12-25.

Nurse Hayley

Hayley is an experienced Sexual Health Nurse with a background in neonatal/paediatric care and adolescent mental health.

Specializing in supporting postpartum women and women with young children. Hayley understands the connections between hormones and mental wellbeing, whether related to postpartum changes, contraception choices, or menopause, and supports women in navigating these transitions.

Believing sexual and reproductive health is central to overall wellbeing, Hayley strives to make every consultation relaxed, engaging and personal.

Nurse Hannah

Hannah is a sexual health nurse with a background in midwifery. She is dedicated to providing sexual and reproductive healthcare in a relaxed, welcoming way.

Hannah enjoys supporting people to access safe and inclusive care that’s specific to their needs. She is particularly interested in supporting patients who need blood-borne virus testing or safe abortion care, taking an empathetic and non-judgemental approach.

Whatever brings you in, Hannah is committed to supporting you to make informed choices about your sexual and reproductive health.

Payment Information

We are a bulk billing clinic. Any out of pocket costs associated with our services will be discussed with you prior.

Non-attendance and Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend an appointment, a minimum of 24 hours notice is required.

FAQs

Health literacy refers to how well you can understand and use health related information to make decisions. You can refer to the list below for plain language explanations for some terms used in sexual and reproductive health settings.

CST -Cervical Screening Test

A cervical screening test is a procedure designed to prevent cervical cancer by checking signs of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for almost all cervical cancers. The test has replaced the Pap test.

IUD – Intrauterine Device

A small device placed in the uterus by a doctor or nurse. It can prevent pregnancy for 5–10 years depending on the type. There are two main kinds.

Mirena – A type of hormonal IUD that can last up to 5 years. It slowly releases a small amount of hormone to prevent pregnancy and can also make periods lighter or less painful.

Copper – A non hormonal IUD that can last up to 5 years.

Implanon

A small flexible rod inserted just under the skin of the arm by a doctor or nurse. It slowly releases hormones to prevent pregnancy and works for up to 3 years.

A contraceptive rod is a small stick placed under the skin of the arm. It releases hormones to prevent pregnancy and is effective for several years.

MTop

Medical termination of pregnancy using a prescribed medication.

Oral Contraceptive pill

A daily tablet that contains hormones to prevent pregnancy. When taken correctly, it’s safe and effective, but needs to be taken every day around the same time.

PEP – Post-exposure Prophylaxis

PEP is emergency medication you can take after a possible HIV exposure. It’s important to start as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours.

PrEP – Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

PrEP is a safe and effective medicine that reduces the risk of HIV. It’s available through your doctor or sexual health clinic.

STI – Sexually Transmitted Infection

An STI is a sexually transmissible infection that is spread through sexual contact. Some STI’s have no symptoms, that’s why regular testing is so important. STI’s are preventable and treatable.

Some of the most common STIs?

Chlamydia – Often has no symptoms but can cause problems if untreated. Easily treated with antibiotics.

Genital herpes – Caused by a virus that can lead to sores or blisters. There isn’t a cure, but medication can help manage symptoms.

Gonorrhoea – Another common STI that may not show symptoms. It can affect the throat, genitals, or rectum and is treated with antibiotics.

HIV – A virus that affects the immune system. With modern treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. Prevention options like PrEP and PEP are also available.

HPV – Human papillomavirus, a very common virus that usually clears on its own. Some types can cause genital warts or increase cancer risk, but vaccines are available to prevent it.

Syphilis – An STI that can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Testing and early treatment with antibiotics makes it easy to cure.

If you’re sexually active, regular STI testing is part of looking after your health. Our BCH nurses and doctors offer confidential, non-judgmental care — book an appointment today.