1800 My Options marks 50,000 calls for sexual and reproductive health support

Women’s Health Victoria’s 1800 My Options service has clocked up a milestone 50,000 calls since the service launched in 2018.

The service has played a vital role in improving health outcomes for Victorians, connecting thousands of people with abortion, contraception and broader sexual and reproductive health care through its free and confidential service.

Proudly pro-choice, 1800 My Options works alongside hundreds of trusted healthcare providers across Victoria to connect people with care tailored to their needs – whether it’s questions about accessing abortion care, long-acting reversible contraception, or support and information about sexually transmitted infections.

The volume of calls to the service has steadily grown over the years, with the 1800 My Options phoneline now receiving an average of 730 calls each month. Most callers are seeking trusted guidance to help them make informed decisions about their health. On the other end of the line, they are met by a dedicated team who approach every interaction with compassion, respect and understanding.

Among the team is Sexual and Reproductive Health Navigator Julie, who has personally supported more than 8,000 of the service’s 50,000 calls – guiding Victorians through their care options with empathy.

“At the end of each shift my hope is that callers have felt heard, supported and confident in how to navigate what is a highly complex healthcare system,” Julie said.

Also reflecting on the milestone, Women’s Health Victoria Chief Executive Officer Sally Hasler said the 50,000th call reflected many calls received over the past eight years – someone seeking support to navigate the health system.

“While there’s no such thing as a standard call, this huge milestone was typical of the most common call type – a request for information about how to access abortion services,” Ms Hasler said.

“In fact, about 90% of our calls are about abortion, which is not surprising given around one in four women will have an abortion in their lifetime.”

1800 My Options is funded as part of the Victorian Government’s investment in women’s health, which includes the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program to transform the way women’s health issues are treated in Victoria.

For more information, visit 1800 My Options.