Emergency Contraception

UHCS Services

UW-Whitewater students may purchase an emergency contraceptive pill at UHCS if they are an established patient. If the student has not previously been seen at UHCS, they will need to make an appointment with a health provider.

Emergency contraception is also available over the counter for purchase by at pharmacies and other stores, and prices will vary by location.
If you are of reproductive age (15-44yrs), you may qualify for the Family Planning Only Services program in Wisconsin, which covers the cost for many birth control methods, annual exams, Paps and STD testing and treatment. To find out more, see our Family Planning Only Services page.

Overview

Emergency contraceptives are medications or devices designed for use after unprotected intercourse has occurred to help reduce the risk for pregnancy. These are often less effective methods of birth control and should not be considered a regular or "go-to" means of birth control. They typically work by delaying ovulation a couple days, thus possibly prolonging the "fertile window" of the menstrual cycle, meaning that if unprotected intercourse occurs again within the same cycle, pregnancy will be a risk.

Typical side effects of EC pills include nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. These usually resolve within 24 hours. If vomiting occurs within 1-2 hours of use, contact your health care provider as another dose may be needed. Another common side effect is spotting or change in timing of menses in the weeks following its use. A pregnancy test should be done if menses does not occur within 3-4 weeks of taking EC.

There are other forms of emergency contraception that may be more effective than Plan B, particularly if it's been more than 72 hours since unprotected intercourse or for those who are overweight or obese or using certain medications (such as for seizures or infections). If you're interested in learning more about these alternative forms of emergency contraception, such as prescription medication Ella or the copper IUD Paragard, please schedule an appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner.

Resources

• Bedsider
• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists