The Student Health Center continues to provide
Reproductive health services, which includes all forms of contraceptive counseling including IUD placement
Due to the University’s very close proximity to Illinois, where abortion access remains protected, students interested in abortion services will still have access. There are two clinics within a 30-minute drive from WashU.
Contraception
To prevent unintended pregnancy:
| Use safe and reliable contraceptives, including long-acting reversible methods of contraception (LARCs): Intrauterine devices (IUDs) Implants | |
| Explore your options for more than a dozen forms of birth control. | |
| Consider Emergency Contraception (see below) when needed | |
| Schedule an appointment through the Student Health Portal with a Student Health Center provider to learn more about which methods of contraception best align with your lifestyle and preferences |
Emergency Contraception (EC)
- Emergency contraception (EC) is a “back up” birth control method used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or when a contraceptive measure fails.
- It is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
- EC:
- Is FDA-approved
- Has been used by millions of women around the world safely and effectively.
- May have minor side effects as reported by some women such as: nausea, vomiting, cramping, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness and/or menstrual changes, depending on the type of EC used
- Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the possible side effects
- EC does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV
- If you are concerned that you may have contracted an STI, please schedule an appointment.
- There are two kinds of emergency contraception: Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and EC pills.
- Each kind has several choices, all of which are available at the Student Health Center and covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan
- Call 314-935-6677 to speak with a nurse and learn about which EC option is right for you. If you prefer to schedule online, please schedule within 1-2 days after unprotected sex. Next-day appointments open up every evening
- Get the facts on emergency contraception
- The IUD is a little t-shaped piece of plastic that is inserted into the uterus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg
- The IUD is invisible, and you can choose hormonal (Mirena, Liletta) or non-hormonal (Paraguard)
- If inserted within 5 days after sex, an IUD can lower the chance of pregnancy by 99.9%.
- IUDs last for years, and you can have the IUD removed at any time if you want to get pregnant
- IUDs can cause mild to moderate pain when inserted and cramping for a few days after
- EC pills (often referred to as the “morning after” pill) can prevent pregnancy by temporarily stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg.
- If your body has already started ovulating, EC pills may not be effective. This is why it is important to take the EC pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
- EC pills may be used as needed, but they should not be substituted for regular, non-emergency birth control methods because they are not as effective or affordable.
- EC pills are not the same as the abortion pill (also called medication abortion). Mifepristone is a drug that induces abortion when administered in early pregnancy. EC pills are used to prevent a pregnancy, not end one. EC pills do not cause or induce an abortion.
- There are two main types of EC pills, one is by prescription and one is over the counter.
- Ulipristal acetate pill (Ella) (by prescription)
- Can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex and can lower the chance of pregnancy by 85%.
- May not work for individuals who weigh more than 195 pounds.
- Levonorgestrel-based pills (Plan B One Step, Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Preventeza, AfterPill, My Choice, Aftera, EContra, and others)
- Can work up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but effectiveness decreases each day. Levonorgestrel-based pills can lower the chance of pregnancy by 75-89% and work best if taken within 3 days after unprotected sex.
- These EC pills may not work for individuals who weigh more than 165 pounds.
- Levonorgestrel-based pills are available directly from the Quandrangle Pharmacy (located within the Student Health Center waiting room) during business hours.
- A generic form of Plan B, called Option 2, is available at Bear Necessities on the South 40.
- Plan B is available at no cost in the Zenker Wellness Suite (one per student while supplies last) and in generic form from Missouri Family Health Council, Inc.
- Levonorgestrel-based pills may also be available for purchase over the counter without a prescription at a local pharmacy or online.
If you are using Emergency Contraception because of a sexual assault, please be aware that Washington University provides survivor support services through the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center and other university systems. We encourage you to talk with professionals trained to listen to your concerns and provide guidance.
Supplies
The following free supplies are available at the Student Health Center and in the Zenker Wellness Suite:
| Pregnancy tests | |
| Safer sex supplies including condoms, lube, and dams |