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The Guardian
5 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Australian women lagging on use of IUDs due to education ‘failure', experts say
Most Australian women don't know that intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the most effective form of contraception. Experts say this nationwide 'failure in public education' has contributed to low uptake and caused Australia to lag behind other western countries. The latest Jean Hailes National Women's Health Survey of 3,537 reproductive age women found more than 80% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 60% of 25 to 44-year-olds want to avoid getting pregnant. The survey found only 7% of women aged 18 to 24 and 11% of women aged 25 to 44 reported using an IUD. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The CEO of Jean Hailes, Dr Sarah White, said the results show Australia is 'far behind' equivalent countries such as the UK, South Korea, France and the US. In Sweden and England rates of use are over 30%. IUDs are small devices implanted in the uterus. As a form of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), they are the most effective way to prevent pregnancy (over 99%). Contraceptive pills also have a rate of efficacy above 99% if taken correctly. But its effectiveness can be reduced if taken irregularly or absorption can be affected by diarrhoea and vomiting. When the survey tested women's knowledge on which methods were best at preventing pregnancy, the most common answer (32%) incorrectly identified condoms, while 27% said all are equally effective. Just one in four women (27%) correctly identified IUDs. Conducted online in mid-2024, the survey found three in 10 women aged 25 to 44 and 8% of women aged 18 to 24 said they'd had an unplanned pregnancy. White said 'most women are not aware that these long-acting, reversible contraceptives are actually the most effective form of contraception at a time when so many of them are saying it's really important for them not to become pregnant.' 'They're walking past one of the best options they've got because they just don't know about it.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The lack of knowledge of the effectiveness of IUDs 'goes a long way to driving that low uptake,' White said. IUDs had other benefits, she said, including their convenience in not interrupting sex, easing period pain and being more cost effective over the long term than other forms of contraception. The leader of the Sphere Centre of Research Excellence in women's sexual and reproductive health in primary care, Prof Danielle Mazza, said not enough healthcare providers in Australia are trained in the insertion of IUDs, and may be less likely to emphasise the benefits. Sphere conducted the survey in collaboration with Jean Hailes. In its most recent budget, as part of the half a billion dollar package for women's health, the federal government increased payments to doctors and nurse practitioners to insert and remove IUDs. Eight centres will be set up to train healthcare professionals. White said access issues in rural and regional Australia might be alleviated if more women were considered using IUDs. IUD insertions by a private provider has higher upfront costs, White said, but that cost is 'well and truly recouped' compared with buying the pill or condoms over the long term. As several states have moved towards pharmacy prescribing the contraceptive pill, Mazza said it is important women are still being advised about all their contraceptive options, including LARCs, even though pharmacists can't provide them. White said some women are also concerned about the pain of insertion, in part fuelled by social media amplifying negative experiences. 'But in fact, there's a lot of people who really swear by having IUDs and love how convenient they are..' The chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' sexual reproductive health committee, Prof Kirsten Black, said in her experience patients will often say 'that's not nearly as bad as they thought' after the procedure. Black said it was surprising knowledge was so low in the survey, but added 'we have a real failure of public education in this area,' unlike in northern Europe. Black said she hopes the government incentives will improve the skills of primary care practitioners to provide IUDs.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Man who posted deepfake images of prominent Australian women could face $450,000 penalty
The online safety regulator wants a $450,000 maximum penalty imposed on a man who posted deepfake images of prominent Australian women to a website, in the first case of its kind heard in an Australian court. The eSafety commissioner has launched proceedings against Anthony Rotondo over his failure to remove 'intimate images' of several prominent Australian women from a deepfake pornography website. The federal court has kept the names of the women confidential. Rotondo initially refused to comply with the order while he was based in the Philippines, the court heard, but the commissioner launched the case once he returned to Australia. Rotondo posted the images to the MrDeepFakes website, which has since been shut down. In December 2023, Rotondo was fined for contempt of court, after admitting he breached court orders by not removing the imagery. He later shared his password so the deepfake images could be removed. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email A spokesperson for the eSafety commissioner said the regulator was seeking between $400,000 and $450,000 for the breaches of the Online Safety Act. The spokesperson said the penalty submission reflected the seriousness of the breaches 'and the significant impacts on the women targeted'. 'The penalty will deter others from engaging in such harmful conduct,' they said. eSafety said the non-consensual creation and sharing of explicit deepfake images caused significant psychological and emotional distress for victims. The penalties hearing was held on Monday, and the court has reserved its decision. Separately, federal criminal laws were passed in 2024 to combat explicit deepfakes. In her opening statement to the Senate committee reviewing the bill in July last year, the eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said deepfakes had increased on the internet by 550% since 2019, and pornographic videos made up 99% of the deepfake material online, with 99% of that imagery of women and girls. 'Deepfake image based abuse is not only becoming more prevalent but is also very gendered and incredibly distressing to the victim-survivor,' Inman Grant said. 'Shockingly, thousands of open-source AI apps like these have proliferated online and are often free and easy to use by anyone with a smartphone. 'So these apps make it simple and cost-free for the perpetrator, while the cost to the target is one of lingering and incalculable devastation.'
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Incontinence stopped Olympian Krishna Stanton in her tracks, but then she found a way forward
Faecal incontinence can be tricky to talk about. It can get awkward and uncomfortable. So naturally, it isn't a subject that comes up much. It's an issue however, that affects over 400,000 Australian women. One of those women is former Olympian, Commonwealth Games silver medallist and World Record holder, distance runner Krishna Stanton. Running was her life. And then she had to stop. "I don't think I really spoke to anyone about it, about how distressing it was," Stanton said. "I would say [it was] isolating." Colorectal surgeon Dr Andrea Warwick has been working in the field for over 20 years. She says for people who experience incontinence, sport can be one of the first things to go. "People stop doing things, running is often particularly problematic," she said. "And their symptoms really affect everything in the rest of their life as well." Source: Continence Foundation of Australia Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. There's a large spectrum of how it can present. At first, it could be rushing to the toilet. "That urgency to get to the toilet can hugely affect people's lives," Dr Warwick said. "They don't leave the house, they don't go to work, they lose social activities." And then there's what Dr Warwick calls the full-blown kind. "That can go from a small amount of leaking on your undies up to liquid stool running down people's legs." She says it's common for people to wait until things get really bad before they seek help. "They adapt their lifestyle to try and stop it from [making an] impact." The Continence Foundation of Australia's latest report indicates 27 per cent of Australians have incontinence. The age group with the largest number of sufferers, is actually 40 - 44 year olds. It takes quite a toll, with 40 per cent of people with incontinence saying it affects their mental health and wellbeing — 10 per cent even avoid going out because of it. It's mainly women who experience both or either forms (urinary and faecal), and is common in those who have carried a baby or had birth injuries. There's also a significant number who suffer after menopause. "A lady may have had an injury to their pelvic floor during childbirth which hasn't previously caused them problems, but after menopause and as they get older and muscles generally weaken, they start developing problematic symptoms," Dr Warwick said. For Stanton, it was a bit more complex. Stanton is the epitome of resilience. Her running career was full of ups and downs. In 1987 she came fourth at the World Indoor Championships, but later that year broke a bone in her foot. It took two operations and two years to heal. In 1990 she won the Australian Championships over 3,000-metres, then made the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Five days out from her race, she got bitten by a spider on the foot. She competed but finished in a time well below her best. In 1996 Stanton delivered her son Zachary in a breech birth, which led to urinary incontinence. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ "There was a 12-centimetre internal tear, so I was unable to run because I just couldn't control my bladder," she said. After working with physiotherapists, she won the 2001 Sydney Marathon and qualified for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. It was here she got a silver medal, and a great feeling of satisfaction. "To be able to come back from those [health issues] and win a silver medal was really worthwhile," Stanton said. Her next goal was to qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games before retiring. But a catalyst the year before put that dream to bed. "In 2005 I got food poisoning, which triggered my body to basically shut down," Stanton said. It led to constant diarrhoea. "I just never knew when I needed to go to the bathroom," Stanton said. "You could never relax, it's constant stress." Stanton wasn't sure what was happening to her body but stayed focused on her goals. "I was losing so much weight, not knowing what was wrong, still trying to run," she said. "Then there's a 12-centimetre tear still there from [Zachary's] birth. Me trying to run was putting pressure on everything." Stanton suffered a bowel prolapse, which was operated on multiple times. A gastroenterologist then diagnosed her with Coeliac disease which she was told she'd had for many years. Stanton said the nerves in her bowel were all but destroyed. "I always had this philosophy, and it's probably come from my running, that there's always someone worse off," she said. "It was just something I thought I had to deal with. It was frustrating, upsetting, but it was just my lot." Stanton spent years adapting to her incontinence. If she went for a walk, it would be in a park with bathrooms. She didn't do buses or trains and found car trips and plane rides stressful. And of course, running was off the cards. "Obviously there were times when I was just in tears," Stanton said. Her doctor eventually advised her to see a surgeon, and it was only after that that life got back to normal. Dr Warwick says there's a host of different treatments for incontinence, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. "Oftentimes we start with basic treatments of managing people's diet, stool consistency [and] physiotherapy," she said. "And a lot of people will get better with those interventions." Stanton's case was more extreme. Her doctor recommended sacral neuromodulation, which involves surgery. It's where a device with wires attached to a pacemaker is inserted under the skin in the buttock. It directly stimulates a nerve with an electrical current to alter or improve bladder or bowel function. Dr Warwick says it can change someone's life dramatically, and Stanton agrees. "I feel blessed," Stanton said. "It took a while to manage, but it's restored those nerves so that I can now run. "I've had some surgeries to help that as well, but I would say it's really changed what I thought in that time my life was going to be." Stanton set a goal of doing a run for her 50th birthday in 2016. In true form, she achieved it. She ran the Gold Coast Marathon as a tribute to her late teammates Kerryn McCann and Jackie Fairweather, who she stood on the podium with at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Fairweather took her own life in 2014, and McCann died from breast cancer in 2008. "So, I thought what I'd been through wasn't that much," Stanton said. "And so, if I could run, I would." In 2022 Stanton ran the London Marathon in world record time for her age group. The record was broken six months later, and she's on a mission to break it back at this year's Sydney Marathon in August. The way Stanton's faecal incontinence came about is not common, but her sentiment of it taking control of her life is. She's speaking out now to help others who might be suffering. "I would like people to know that there's an option, and it can make a real difference," Stanton said. Dr Warwick says she doesn't want to see people give up sport, that there are ways to keep on playing. "Oftentimes people come to me 20 years after they've been struggling with symptoms," she said. "They say I wish I'd done this earlier. I wish I hadn't compromised my life for something that can be treated. "I guess that's the biggest thing I'd say. You don't have to suffer with these problems."
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Brittany Hockley's chilling warning to women as she shares horror personal experience
Brittany Hockley has issued a chilling warning to Australian women about the prevalence of drink spiking. The former Bachelor star and radio host, 37, spoke about the terrifying experience of having her drinks spiked three times. Brittany said on KIIS FM's The Pickup show on Monday the use of date-rape drugs is 'much more prevalent' than people realise. She discussed the topic with her co-host Laura Byrne after the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force sounded the alarm over a 'tidal wave of illegal 'fantasy' importation' last week. In a joint statement, the AFP and ABP reported more than 3.8 tonnes of the chemical solvent 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD) have already been seized in 2025. 'The AFP have just come out and issued a warning about an increase in drugs hitting our shores in Australia,' Brittany said. 'They are colloquially known as "fantasy" but otherwise known as a date rape drug,' Brittany said. 'The reason I wanted to talk about this is because it personally has happened to me three times. 'It is not just a stranger in the bar that you have to be aware of when you're out.' 'It is not just making sure that your hand is over your drink. It is being hyper-aware of the increase that this is happening and also what to look out for.' Between March 2024 and March 2025, the AFP seized more 'fantasy' than any other drug, with more than 90 per cent of that found in NSW. Laura said of the four women who work on The Pick Up, three have experienced an incident of drink spiking, 'where someone has used, or tried to use, one of these date rape drugs against us.' The use of 'fantasy' depresses the central nervous system, slowing down messages between the brain and body, per the AFP. 'Due to its effects, the drug is commonly used in Australia as a "party drug" or to facilitate offences including theft, sexual assault and rape,' the AFP statement continued. 'Those who ingest it can experience drowsiness, confusion, blackouts and memory loss, seizures, unconsciousness or even death.' Brittany said she'd had her drink spiked three times, once by a barman serving the drink, and stressed that sometimes there is no way to prevent it from happening Brittany claimed she'd had her drink spiked three times, once by a barman serving the drink and stressed that sometimes there is no way to prevent it from happening. 'But I want to take it further and tell you what it feels like and what signs to look out for, so you know if it's happening to you, and I want to tell you what to do,' the radio host said. 'You feel very, very drunk very quickly. But it's not a normal drunk. 'When I was turning my head to look [in another direction] everything [in my vision] was taking too long to catch up and it started to get blurry.' 'You don't have a lot of time to think of other signs and symptoms because it just starts to happen,' Brittany said as she recounted the horrifying experience. 'You start to feel really unwell and really, really intoxicated. It is really scary. It goes from zero to 100 in, sometimes potentially minutes.' 'You need to tell someone immediately what is happening to you, or what you think is happening to you, and get help,' Brittany stressed. 'So if you are out at a bar, the second you don't feel right, you go to someone behind the bar or to a trusted friend and just tell them.' Brittany said she suspects many cases of spiking are not reported to police because victims can't remember the details of what happened to them. 'One of mine was on a date [and] one of mine was a barman, so that made me very worried because you can be as careful as you want covering your drinks and walking around a bar, but if it's come from behind the bar when you ordered it, it's out of your control,' she revealed on The Pick Up in 2023. 'I think a lot people don't know how prevalent it is because it's not widely reported,' she said. Date rape drugs will only show up on a blood or urine test if the victim sees the police, emergency services, or their GP within the first 24 hours after the incident. Laura added that she hopes everyone is 'really conscious' of the fact people aren't just spiked by strangers in nightclubs. 'It doesn't just happen when you're at a nightclub or your out with strangers,' she said. 'Like, my experience was with someone who I thought was a friend.' If you or someone you know feels unwell or have been sexually assaulted, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I tried the revolutionary new beauty buy that targets neck wrinkles and I'm honestly blown away by the results
A revolutionary new beauty buy that promises to transform your neck and chest in a matter of weeks has left an Australian woman saying she has been 'blown away' by the impressive results after using the cream for a month. freezeframe is known for its impressive range of high-performance skincare products, and the brand launched its latest buy, NECK LIFT earlier this month. The potent, high-tech formula incorporates 'human-identical' collagen, a rich blend of peptides and powerful antioxidants and promises to treat nine signs of neck and chest ageing, including dramatically improving the appearance of wrinkles and addressing issues like a sagging neck, jawline and chin. The beauty buy is clinically proven to visibly reduce even the deepest neck wrinkles by over 50 per cent in just eight weeks and 90 per cent of trial participants reported firmer skin after using the product.* Putting the impressive claims to the test, two Australian women who both share neck and chest concerns, trialled the product for a period of four weeks** — and the results are impressive. Sunshine Coast resident Denise, 68, trialled NECK LIFT ($69) for a month and was left 'thrilled' with the improvements she experienced during the period. In images taken before testing the product, Denise noted she had 'prominent neck bands and wrinkles' on her neck as well as deep lines across her chest. After just a few weeks of using the nourishing cream, she saw dramatic improvements. 'I'm blown away by NECK LIFT. I wasn't expecting such impressive results. I've loved using the cream twice a day and looking at the before and after pictures proves the difference the product has made and how much better that area looks,' Denise told Daily Mail Australia Results in weeks: Denise, 68, from the Sunshine Coast trialled freezeframe's NECK LIFT for four weeks and was thrilled with the results 'I definitely recommend the product to anyone who feels self-conscious about ageing signs around their neck or décolletage. The results really do speak for themselves and it's reasonably priced. I'm so happy.' Carina, 29, from Sydney also saw noticeable improvements after using the cream for four weeks, despite admitting she was 'sceptical' before trialling the product. 'I've always loved skincare but admit I've neglected my neck in the past. Now pushing 30, and being a Millennial with 'tech neck', I ensure to never exclude my neck and décolletage during my skincare routine,' Carina said. 'Before trying Neck Lift, I was sceptical a moisturiser could help with neck lines. But I was pleasantly surprised with the results after a month. After the first week I noticed the lines start to fade and didn't look as deep.' Problem area: Carina, 29, has had concerns around her neck lines since her early 20s. After using NECK LIFT for four weeks, she noticed a visible improvement 'I applied the product onto clean, dry skin at night and occasionally reapplied in the morning. The moisturiser isn't fragranced, feels lightweight and seeps into the skin once applied. Over the last month I've also paid attention to how I position my neck and changed the way I sleep - or at least tried to. Overall, the Neck Lift cream didn't completely reverse the lines but made them look less noticeable. I recommend it.' The product has also attracted high praise from happy shopper Sonia, who gave the product five stars and shared that her neck had 'improved' and that she had already ordered a second jar to avoid running out. Although Carina and Denise trialled the product for four weeks, results can be seen in as little as seven days. How does freezeframe's new NECK LIFT work? Targeted Solution: NECK LIFT is a treatment formulated to address nine signs of ageing in the neck and décolletage area. These are: • Neck wrinkles • Neck (platysmal) bands • Sagging neck • Tech neck • Crepey skin/cross hatching • Uneven neck contours • Sagging chin and jawline • Chest wrinkles • Pigmentation irregularities (poikiloderma) Proven Efficacy: Backed by clinical trials and delivering dramatic results in just days, NECK LIFT provides real, transformative results both instantly (within seven days) and long term. Breakthrough Collagen Science: Featuring human-identical Collagen Type IV, this formula restores and tightens the skin's natural collagen network, while potent peptides and antioxidants work to boost skin regeneration and prevent accelerated signs of ageing. Neck care is the new skincare: The skin on your neck is thinner, drier, and more prone to gravity and the effects of ageing, so it requires targeted care to stay firm and youthful. NECK LIFT is a powerful cream and moisturiser in one effective formula to address these concerns. Clinical trials showed a 69 per cent reduction in chest wrinkles and a 28 per cent of deep neck wrinkles in just one week. When used over the four week period this increased to a 51 per cent reduction in deep neck wrinkles. NECK LIFT has been specifically developed for the delicate skin on the neck and chest. This area has less fat and muscle mass and since it is often neglected in even the most diligent of skincare routines it can show signs of ageing faster. Collagen is a protein that helps to maintain skin elasticity, volume, and moisture and provides structure and support to the skin, making it look more youthful. As we age collagen production decreases leading to wrinkling and sagging of the skin. The clever ingredients in the NECK LIFT formulation work together to provide a collagen boost to the area. The 'human-identical' collagen is dubbed a 'superior form of collagen that is instantly recognised and absorbed' into the neck and chest. Australian skincare brand freezeframe has launched its new product NECK LIFT. In clinical trials, 90 per cent of women reported that 'skin felt firmer', while 85 per cent saw a 'visible reduction in neck wrinkles' Over 200 specialised peptides, naturally derived from rice and soy, help to boost the growth of cells, known as fibroblasts, that produce collagen and the formula includes 'master antioxidant,' superoxide dismutase, which helps to protect cells from damage. This means NECK LIFT not only aims to address signs of ageing that are already visible, but the clever formula also serves to nourish and protect the skin to avoid further damage. The technologically advanced product is the latest from freezeframe, the brand behind some of the most innovative and highly reviewed skincare products in the Australian skincare market. The bestselling items in the range include, the 48 HOUR WRINKLE FREEZE ICE ROLLER MASK, which has won a number of beauty awards. The PRO COLLAGEN SUNCEUTICAL, a multitasking tinted mineral primer with SPF 30, and the , Non-Surgical EYELID LIFT, all $69.
