SEXUAL health experts say Australia should follow Britain's lead by urging young women to opt for the contraceptive implant instead of the oral pill, in a bid to reduce unplanned pregnancies.

The radical $22 million plan being adopted by the British Government aims to cut the teenage pregnancy rate by advising doctors not to automatically prescribe the pill but to consider more long-term methods.

Estimates from Britain's Health Department suggest the number of unintended pregnancies could fall by 73,000 if long-acting contraceptives were the birth control method of choice.

The implant can last for up to three years and has been shown to be more effective than the oral pill.

Australian experts say a similar education campaign is urgently needed to reduce unplanned pregnancies.

The call comes just a week after a Marie Stopes International study found that 60% of Australian women who had accidental pregnancies were using the contraceptive pill or condoms when they conceived.
 

Many were unaware that use of antibiotics, a bout of diarrhoea or taking the pill at the wrong time could affect the efficacy of their contraceptive.

Jill Michelson, acting chief executive of the Australian arm of Marie Stopes, said the British plan to promote long-lasting contraception would be cost-effective for the health system.

But Dr Christine Read from Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia said there were downsides to the implant as it had to be inserted by a doctor and about 30% of women stopped using the method because of irregular bleeding.

Britain's campaign will also educate doctors about alternative contraceptive options as only 14% of women are prescribed a long-acting method.

Ms Michelson said encouraging GPs to explore options when prescribing contraceptives should be a priority in Australia.