Student Health and Wellness Regional Campuses

What is Plan B?

• Plan B Emergency Contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after sex.

Consider using Plan B if:

• You didn’t use a contraceptive during sex
• You think your contraceptive didn’t work

How does Plan B work?
Plan B Emergency Contraceptive pills contain the same medication as regular birth control pills, and help to prevent pregnancy. Take Plan B as soon as possible. It is best to take Plan B within three days of unprotected sex. The sooner you take Plan B the more effective it is. For more information talk to your pharmacist or practitioner.

Who should NOT take Plan B?

• Plan B should not be taken if you are already pregnant or if you are allergic to any ingredient in Plan B.
• Do not use Plan B if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Is it safe and will it work? What will it do?

• Plan B is safe and effective.
• Plan B reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent.
• Plan B does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Plan B won’t cause an abortion.
• Plan B is NOT the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill).
• Plan B is not effective after pregnancy has occurred and cannot interrupt it.
• Plan B won’t harm a developing fetus.
• If Plan B is taken mistakenly during pregnancy, it will not harm the developing fetus.
• Using Plan B will not affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant in the future.
  
  People can keep pills at home in case of an emergency. Many people find it convenient to have Plan B on hand in case of an emergency. Plan B is for emergency use and should not be used in place of regular contraception since it is not as effective as regular contraception. Store Plan B at controlled room temperature (68˚-77˚F). Excursions permitted between 59˚-86˚F. Be sure to have a medical follow-up after taking Plan B. If you don’t get a normal period within three weeks, take a pregnancy test. It is important to visit your doctor or clinic if you need a regular birth control method or information about preventing sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV/AIDS.

• PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily pill that can protect you from HIV if taken every day. PrEP is an option for those HIV-negative and concerned about their exposure to HIV  
• Students interested in receiving PrEP can make an appointment with their local provider. Advancing Access programs are available to make this treatment affordable.
• More information about PrEP.

• If you and your partner(s) are deciding whether or not you want to have sex, there are a couple of things to consider:
  • Current Health & Medical Conditions
    • You NEVER have to have sex if you’re not up to it and/or not feeling well. If you’re even feeling a little bit ill, skip kissing, sex, or any close contact.
    • If you or your partner(s) have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk for a more severe case of COVID-19 (lung disease, heart disease, cancer, severe asthma, weakened immune system, etc.) – you may want to avoid sex as well.
  • Living Arrangements
    • The safest sex partner is someone you live with. If you do not life with your partner(s), consider your and their living arrangements, and discuss ways to keep others in the room/apartment/household safe (i.e. always wearing masks in the space, not sharing restrooms with those outside the household, avoiding the area when they’re around, etc.).
      • Be mindful that if living on UConn’s campus, there is a 1 guest limit per person at any given time, and that person must also be a current residential student.
      • Overnight guests are not allowed in the residence halls, and may not stay past 11:59pm.
      • Guests are also prohibited from using community bathrooms in the residence halls.
  • Multiple Partners
    • Having sex with only one or a small circle of people helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. Consider only having sex with one partner for the time being (who is also not having sex with anyone else) to limit close contact with numerous people. If you are having sex with several partners, talk to them all about keeping your circle “closed” i.e. only having sex with those within that group, sometimes known as “polyfidelity”.
    • If you do choose to have sex with multiple partners outside of a close circle of contacts, take some extra precautions. Make sure your regular sex partners know you are engaging in sexual activity with others. Closely monitor yourself for symptoms, and consider getting tested for COVID-19 on a frequent basis, just as you would be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
    • Avoid group sex if possible. Large gatherings of any type are not safe during COVID-19, but particularly those with close contact. If you do choose to engage in sexual activity where more than one other person will be present, limit your guest list, keep partners consistent, and utilize a larger, well-ventilated space when possible. Consider keeping a guest list as well, for contact tracing purposes.
    • Avoid anonymous partners, if possible.
  • Ways to Stay Close Without Physical Contact
    • You are your safest sex partner! Masturbation will not spread COVID-19. Be sure to wash your hands and any sex toys with soap and water thoroughly before and after masturbation.
    • Mutual masturbation (masturbating together, but physically distanced), sexting, or sexy video chat sessions can be fun ways to reduce your risk.

• If you do decide to have sex, follow these tips to take extra care before, during, and after your experience:
  • Try to avoid kissing anyone who is not a close contact.
    • While kissing is a big part of many people’s sexual repertoire, it can also easily transmit COVID-19. Although it might not be something everyone is willing to forgo, people with multiple partners may want to avoid kissing those that are not close contacts (anyone that has been within 6 feet of you for over 15 minutes) if possible.
  • Continue to practice safer-sex.
    • Use safer-sex supplies, such as condoms, lubrication, & dental dams to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (order supplies for free here!)
    • Additionally, oral-anal sex (rimming) may spread the virus. Consider using a dental dam or avoid this activity.
    • Take extra care before and after sex – wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to wash any sex toys, too!
  • Spice things up!
    • Use this time to liven your sex life up, while staying safe! While wearing a mask might feel a little funny for some (or sexy, for others), it CAN reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19, especially if you don’t know you have it. Heavy breathing or talking during sex can transmit respiratory particles, even if you’re not kissing. Wearing a mask can also give you the chance to heighten your other senses, and focus on other parts of the body.
    • Be creative with sexual positions and barriers that can allow for sexual contact but limit face to face contact.