Heavy menstrual bleeding: Counselling patients on intrauterine systems

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common presentation in general practice and can have a significant impact on quality of life — and patients are often looking for clear, practical advice.

GPs are often helping patients navigate a range of management options and supporting them to make informed decisions that align with their preferences and goals. This podcast episode with Dr Simone Gonzo focuses on one aspect of that conversation: how to discuss intrauterine systems with patients, address common questions and misconceptions, and support shared decision-making in everyday practice.

Listen to the podcast

What you will learn

Dr Simone Gonzo shares insights into how to talk to your patients about intrauterine systems, including practical counselling tips for general practice.

• Patient-centred counselling: Starting with the patient’s goals, concerns, fertility plans, and expectations when discussing an LNG-IUD.
• Assessing suitability: Key history, examination, investigations, and clinical considerations before recommending an LNG-IUD for heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Explaining benefits and alternatives: How to communicate the benefits of the 52 mg LNG-IUD alongside other medical and procedural treatment options.
• Setting realistic bleeding expectations: What patients can expect during the first few months, including irregular or prolonged bleeding and the timeframe for assessing treatment benefit.
• Preparing patients for insertion: How to explain the procedure honestly, discuss pain and analgesia options, and provide trauma-informed care.
• Discussing risks and warning symptoms: Counselling around expulsion, malposition, perforation, infection, pregnancy, and symptoms requiring assessment.
• Managing concerns after insertion: A structured approach to assessing persistent or new bleeding, pain, absent strings, or concerns that the IUD is “not working”.
• Follow-up and shared decision-making: Reviewing treatment goals, providing clear safety-netting and follow-up, documenting counselling, and supporting patients who choose removal.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in Women's Health.
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🎓 Short Courses
Explore 400+ short, focused, single-topic CPD courses — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours.
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🎓 IUD workshops
Gain an introduction to the insertion of intrauterine devices as a reversible contraceptive option for female patients. One-day advanced workshop providing hands-on practise on simulated models under expert supervision.
➡️ See workshop dates & locations >

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 This podcast is also available on the HealthCert YouTube channel. 

About the presenter

Dr Simone Gonzo began working in healthcare as a registered nurse in hospitals throughout Queensland in 2003. After making the change to medicine, she graduated with an MBBS from The University of Queensland in 2010 and gained FRACGP in 2015. Dr Gonzo enjoys all aspects of general practice including family health, mental health, chronic disease management, and complex primary care. She also has a special interest in teaching and training GP registrars and medical students. Dr Gonzo is a champion of general practice and promotes the importance of this specialty in the healthcare landscape.

CPD self-submission

You can self-record CPD for this podcast. If you consume educational content on this blog, you can Quick Log CPD hours with the RACGP/ACRRM via the usual self-submission process. You will be asked to reflect on what you have learned, and you will require supporting evidence such as a screenshot. For more information, view the: RACGP CPD guide | ACRRM CPD guide