Contraceptive Care

Contraceptives available from UHCS include birth control pills, emergency contraception pills, Depo Provera injections, the contraceptive patch Ortho Evra, the vaginal ring Nuva Ring and condoms.

Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Program is now available to eligible university students.

Condoms can be purchased without an appointment (Condom Brochure) (Get Adobe Reader).  To begin any other form of contraception, an exam or office visit is needed.  Fees are charged for the exam, lab tests, and birth control pills, Depo Provera injections (Depo Provera Brochure), the contraceptive patch Ortho Evra, the vaginal ring Nuva Ring; the fees are generally much lower than those charged by retail pharmacies and clinics (Fees list).  Call UHCS at 472-1300 for more information or to make an appointment. 

At UHCS we offer personalized reproductive care.  Information and individual counseling is available about women's health, men's health, sexuality, safer sex and STD prevention and contraception.  In addition, STD testing is available for men and women. 

CONTRACEPTIVE RESUPPLY

• For established clients, prescriptive contraceptives are available without an appointment.
• Students using e-fill may receive their prescriped contaceptive at the reception window on:
  • Monday , Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, and on Tuesdays 9:30 - 4:00pm.
• Others may get their prescribed contraceptive at the Health Center Dispensary on:
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 4:00 pm and Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30 am or 1:00 - 4:00 pm.
• Condoms can be purchased on a walk-in basis.
• Contraceptive injections will remain available by appointment.

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 nuva ring was not reinserted on schedule – and you have unprotected sexual intercourse.
• You are new to using the pills, patch, nuva 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.

Pregnancy Testing

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY?

• missed menstrual period
• nausea
• fatigue
• frequent urination
• tender, swollen breasts

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M PREGNANT

• Make a clinic appointment to pick-up a urine specimen container and instructions from the nurse in Triage
• Return the next day with your first morning urine specimen
• Later that same day results can be given at a scheduled appointment.
• Counselors are available to discuss pregnancy choices
• If you have questionable symptoms of pregnancy, have had unprotected intercourse, or need contraception information, schedule a Personalized Reproductive Care (PRC) appointment.
• You can get an accurate pregnancy test at the University Health & Counseling Services (see list of Fees).

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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.

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

Updated: 09/22/2008

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