This
information is provided to educate University of Virginia students
on the availability of and criteria for using Emergency Contraceptive
Pills (ECPs). This contraceptive is sometimes known as the Morning
After Pill.
Emergency
contraceptive pills are available to University of Virginia students
through the gynecology clinic at Student Health. You may obtain
information about ECPs by calling the gynecology clinic at 924-2773.
Tell the secretary you are interested in ECPs. You will be transferred
to a triage nurse who will ask several questions to establish eligibility.
Usually an appointment will be made for you to come to the clinic
the same day; occasionally the appointment may be scheduled for
the next day. Allow 30 minutes for this appointment. Depending on
your medical history, an examination may or may not be done at this
time. There is no charge for the gynecology appointment unless lab
tests are performed; however, there is a fee for the ECPs. The current
cost is about $15 at the Student Health Pharmacy. If an event occurs
after clinic hours or on the weekend please call the after-hours
on call nurse (972-7004). If you meet certain medical criteria,
ECPs can often be prescribed over the phone. For further information
or if you have questions please call the gynecology clinic at 924-2773.
More
information:
NOT-2-LATE.com The Emergency
Contraception Web Site
Planned Parenthood
Emergency Contraception Information
EC
Information - Plan B
Eligibility
Criteria for Emergency Contraceptive Pills
1. Unprotected or inadequately protected sexual intercourse
within the last 72 hours in a woman desiring not to be pregnant
and who wants to consider treatment.
2. No undiagnosed vaginal bleeding since last normal menstrual period.
3. No ongoing pregnancy.
4. No allergy to active or inactive ingredients in the regimen prescribed.
5. Negative urine HCG test if exposure to unprotected intercourse
previously in this cycle.
6. Ability to understand possibility of:
1.
failure of this method to prevent pregnancy,
2. side effects, and
3. risks to self (and to fetus if one does become pregnant).
7.
For alternative regimen (Yuzpe) only:
Absence of current estrogen-dependent neoplasia, active liver disease,
significant cardio- or cerebro-vascular disease, or a clotting disorder.
Instructions
for Emergency Contraception
(Plan B - Progestin only)
If
you have discussed options, risks, and benefits with your health
care provider, and you have decided that emergency contraceptive
pills (Plan B) are appropriate for your circumstances, it is important
to follow the instructions below.
1.
Take the first Plan B pill dose as soon as possible. This first
dose must be taken within 3 days (72 hours) after the episode of
unprotected intercourse.
2.
Take the second Plan B pill 12 hours after the first dose.
3.
The most common side effects reported with Plan B include:
nausea
abdominal pain
tiredness
headache
dizziness
breast tenderness
vomiting
diarrhea
We
recommend taking this with food to reduce the risk of nausea/vomiting.
4.
Your next menstrual period may start a few days earlier or later
than usual, and menstrual bleeding may be heavier or lighter than
usual after taking Plan B.
5.
If you have not had a period within 3 weeks after taking Plan B,
call and schedule a pregnancy test in the Gyn clinic. 6. The Plan
B emergency contraceptive only protects you for one episode of unprotected
intercourse and is not designed to be used as a routine method of
birth control. Because Plan B may delay ovulation, having unprotected
intercourse again during the week after taking this medication may
result in an increased risk of becoming pregnant. We strongly urge
you to consider using a regular birth control method.
7.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need additional information,
please contact Student Health Gyn Clinic at 924-2773.
Maintained
by: studenthealth@virginia.edu
Last Modified:
Tuesday, 01-Nov-2005 11:15:09 EST
© 2002 by the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia
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