Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception can be used by students who wish to reduce the risk of pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraception failure.

There are three forms of emergency contraception: IUD insertion (Paraguard, Mirena, and Liletta), levonorgestrel pills (Plan B), and ulipristal acetate tablets (Ella).

IUD is the most effective form of emergency  contraception. It can be effective up to five days after unprotected intercourse and provides ongoing contraception following insertion. Consultations and appointments to insert an IUD can be made in MyUHS or by phone 608-265-5614. Please call if appointments are not found online.

Plan B is available at pharmacies, including Walgreens, without a prescription. Plan B is approved when taken within the first three days following unprotected sex, but is more effective the sooner it’s taken. In obese people, Plan B has decreased efficacy. A generic form of Plan B, the EContraEZ pill, is available at Badger Markets inside Memorial Union and Union South.

Ella is a tablet form of EC that is effective up to five days after unprotected intercourse, and is more effective than Plan B on days four and five. A prescription, which can be obtained from UHS, is needed.