Contraception

Articles or Brochures:

Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Program

Links:

Choosing Your Contraception Method Questionnaire (Choosing Your Contraception Method Questionnaire. This website offers an interactive program to help you choose birth control method that's right for you. It also offers general information about abstinence, barrier methods, fertility awareness, implants, injections, intrauterine methods, oral contraceptives, spermicides, sterilization, the contraceptive patch, vaginal ring, vasectomy, and emergency contraception. Finally a comparison chart is provided to display how much birth control methods cost and now effective they are.)

Smarter Sex (Use any of the seven pull-down menus including safe and smart sex, HIV and AIDS, STDs and infections, date rape, abstinence, contraception, and healthy relationships to read more about these specific topics. Each of these menus will take you to an entire section on that topic, including articles, statistics, interactive exercises and links to more information.)

Sexuality & Relationships (Teenwire includes sexuality and relationship information you can trust from Planned Parenthood Federation of America. This site includes stories about dating and relationships, a warehouse of information about your body, other links for information and resources, body diagrams, ask the experts, various articles, and movies/games/quizzes, etc.)

In the Know (Learn the answers to 20 of the most frequently asked questions, and click the endnotes for complete reference information. You can find 68 more questions and answers using the subject headings)

Your Questions About Oral Contraceptives
By Jane Thielman, MSN, APNP

The following questions about birth control pills were recently submitted by students to UHCS.

Q. Does being on the pill make your cramps less?
A. Usually, yes. Most women find that when they are on the pill, their periods are lighter, shorter, and are associated with milder, or no, cramps. This is a beneficial side effect of the pill. In fact, the pill is used for treatment of some conditions in which women have very heavy or painful periods.

Q. I have been on the pill for 3 years and since on the pill I get my period at the exact same time each month. This month it came 12 hours late, is there a reason for that?
A. Yes, there probably is a reason for that, but you may never know what that reason was. Many women on the pill find that their periods start on the same day, and at the same time, every month. For some women, however, it never becomes quite that predictable. As long as the woman's period begins sometime during the week in which it is expected, it can be considered normal and "on time". Factors that may cause a period to come a bit earlier or a bit later than expected include pills missed or taken late, illness, a change in schedule, a new workout routine, a change in diet, or a new medication.

Q. Do you offer emergency contraception (Plan B - AKA the Morning After Pill)?
A. Yes. The Health Center offers Plan B, a type of emergency contraception; that is, a method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse has occurred. The usual treatment is either one pill now and the second pill in 12 hours or two pills taken at the same time, as soon as possible after the unprotected intercourse. It can be taken up to 5 days after the unprotected intercourse, although the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is at preventing pregnancy. Although the hormone used in Plan B is also found in many birth control pills, the amount is different. Therefore, a woman should not try to use her regular birth control pills for emergency contraception without consulting a health care provider.

Plan B is great for occasional use, like when a condom breaks or intercourse was unplanned and no contraceptive was available, but it should not be used as a woman's only method of birth control. If a woman thinks she may need emergency contraception, she should come in to UHCS, or call 472-1300 for an appointment. Be sure to tell the receptionist that you need emergency contraception so an appointment can be made as soon as possible. Emergency contraception is also available at Planned Parenthood and many other clinics. It can be purchased at many pharmacies for those 18 and over.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION Plan B, also known as THE MORNING AFTER PILL

Highlights

• Emergency contraception is available at UHCS.
• Call 262 472-1300 for an appointment or if you've been to UHCS before, just stop during normal business hours
• Plan B can be obtained directly from UHCS
• The sooner you take Plan B after unprotected intercourse, the more effecive it is
• If you are 18 years old or over, you can purchase Plan B without a prescription at many pharmacies (see below)

What is Emergency Contraception (EC)?

Plan B (the most commonly used form of Emergency Contraception) is a medication used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse has occurred.

• It is most effective if used as soon as possible, but can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

• It works from 85 to 95 % of the time. It will not cause a miscarriage if you are already pregnant.

• Plan B contains progestin only and is very safe.

• Both pills may be taken at the same time, or 12 hours apart.
• There are other forms of emergency contraception.

When should Emergency Contraception be used?

If you’ve had sexual intercourse and:

The condom breaks or was used incorrectly.
You are not correctly using another form of contraception – ex. you missed taking birth control pills; your patch has fallen off and not replaced within 24 hours; or your ring was not reinserted on schedule – and you have unprotected sexual intercourse.
You are new to using the pills, patch, ring, or injection and have used them for 7 days or less – and have unprotected sexual intercourse.
Without any birth control.
Improperly used your diaphragm.
Forced sexual intercourse or rape.

How do the Emergency Contraception Pills work?

Although the exact way Plan B prevents pregnancy is uncertain, the most likely way is by preventing ovulation (the release of the egg by the ovary) or by preventing fertilization by the sperm. While considered less likely, it may prevent a fertilized egg being implanted in the uterus. It is not effective once implantation has begun.

What if I am already pregnant and don’t know it?

If you are already pregnant, Emergency Contraception will NOT harm the fetus. Plan B can only prevent a pregnancy. It cannot cause an abortion.

What else should I know about Emergency Contraception?

You should not rely on it for regular birth control. It does not work as well as other methods of birth control.
Plan B does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Plan B is unlikely to give you any side effects. Rare side effects include mild fatigue, nausea, or dizziness.
Older forms of Emergency Contraception pills contained large amounts of estrogen and caused nausea/vomiting in many women. Plan B only contains progesterone which lessens the chance of feeling nauseated or vomiting.
After taking Plan B, your period may be early or late by 7 days. If you do not have a normal period within this time frame, call UHCS at 472 1300 for an appointment.
If you do not have a normal period within 21 days after taking Plan B, call UHCS at 472 1300 for an appointment.

Emergency Contraception (Plan B) Summary:

Safe. Side effects are minimal.
Prevents pregnancy.
Works best if taken as soon as possible.
Should not replace regular birth control.
Does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Does not cause abortion.
Available at UHCS.

How can I obtain Emergency Contraception (Plan B) at UHCS?

Ask your health care provider at a routine appointment for a prescription that you can fill if you need it.
Unprotected sex? Call UHCS at 472 1300 and get an appointment ASAP.
The approximate cost of Plan B at UHCS is $15.00*
*Charges are subject to change without notice.

What pharmacies carry emergency contraception?

If you are 18 or over you will not need a prescription to obtain emergency contraception at many pharmacies. Call ahead to verify that the pharmacy has Plan B available over the counter (without prescription) and in stock.

Whitewater

Reynolds Pharmacy
175 W. Main Street
Telephone: 262 473-6116

Walmart Pharmacy
1362 W. Main St.
262-473-7740

Fort Akinson

ShopKo
1425 Janesville Avenue
Telephone: 920 563-9351

Walgreens
300 N. Main St.
920-568-9326

The following are resources available to you:

UHCS Triage Nurse at 262 472 1300 x 2211.

Emergency Contraception Hotline
Call toll-free: 1-888-NOT-2-LATE Or visit the website: www.not-2-late.com (UHCS is listed as a provider)

Visit: www.getthepill.com - Online prescriptions for emergency contraception and birth control pills.

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This site is not meant to replace the advice of a health care or counseling professional. You should not rely on any information on these pages, or information generated for you by this site, to replace consultations with qualified professionals regarding your own specific situation.

Some links take you to a source outside of UHCS. The owners of that site, not UHCS, are responsible for the content.

For health care questions, do not email, please call 262-472-1300 menu option 4

Updated: 07/21/2008

University Health & Counseling Services
For Comments: brueggek@uww.edu