Contraceptive FAQs

First, establish whether you may have a rare but serious effect from pills.

If you are experiencing any of the ACHES, please seek medical care immediately:
A – abdominal pain: Unusually severe or persistent pain under the lower right ribs that could indicate liver or gall bladder problems.
C – chest pain: Sudden shortness of breath and sharp, localized chest pain which is unrelated to other causes.
H – headaches: Increased number of migraine headaches or a severe headache with dizziness, visual changes, weakness, or a change in your mental state, such as confusion.
E – eye problems: Sudden visual loss or blurring.
S – severe leg pain: Tenderness, pain, or redness in one calf or thigh that is unrelated to injury or overuse.

If you have just begun taking birth control pills and do not have serious side effects, continue to take them for approximately three months since it takes your body time to get used to the new hormones. If you are still unhappy with the prescription after three months, make an appointment with a clinician.

Minor side effects include nausea, bleeding between periods, no period, breast tenderness, emotional changes, and complexion changes. Minor side effects usually resolve with time. Some of these can be lessened by making small changes. Contact the Pharmacy at (831) 459-2360 or read your handouts for suggestions.

Each manufacturer provides instructions for their unique product. If you have questions, call the Pharmacy at (831) 459-2360.

If you received your prescription from the Student Health Center Pharmacy, please contact the Pharmacy at (831) 459-2360 to see if you have any refills left. If not, submit an online birth control request and a health care provider will respond via secure message to your request within three business days.

If you received your prescription from an outside clinician, contact their office and request additional refills. If you can’t reach them, submit an online birth control request if you have UC SHIP or CruzCare.

Birth Control Patrol is an anonymous drop-in resource offered at SHOP throughout the week. Highly trained students can offer information on contraceptive options and assist students in making appointments at the Student Health Center (with UC SHIP) or assist in finding health clinics off campus if they don’t have the Student Health Insurance Plan. Additionally, SHOP is here to support students and their partners around preventing pregnancy. This peer to peer service is here for you!

Yes, emergency contraception can be purchased over the counter at the UCSC pharmacy.

The most commonly known medication is Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception (EC), a.k.a. Plan B, Next Choice, EContra EZ. It is available at the pharmacy without a prescription. Take it as soon as possible within 72 hours of unprotected sex or birth control failure (for instance, if a condom broke or you forgot to take your pill).

Ulipristal, a.k.a. Ella, is an alternative EC that can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. It requires a prescription, so you will need a visit to a clinician or a pharmacist. To do so, make an appointment, visit the Student Health Center’s Same-Day Clinic, or contact the Pharmacy at (831) 459-2360.

IUDs such as Paragard are also approved as emergency contraception. View more information about emergency contraception options.

Take one tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

Side effects are minimal with EC. Some patients may experience mild nausea, and some people get temporary breast tenderness until their next menstrual cycle. EC will often change the timing of menstruation.

EC is effective approximately 90% of the time when used within 72 hours. It is not 100% effective. It is more effective the sooner you use it. You must use contraception consistently at all times to prevent pregnancy. If you use EC and don’t get your period within 3 weeks, then you need to get a pregnancy test (available at the Pharmacy).

Yes, but only for the student who is taking the medication with a prescription written by our pharmacists or your provider.