Contraception

Articles and Brochures:

• Your Questions About Oral Contraceptives
• Depo-Provera
• Emergency Contraception
• Condoms
• Pill Pointers
• Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Program

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 you 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.