| Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing | STD and confidential HIV testing is performed for diagnostic purposes. We also test for urinary tract infections as well as other laboratory testing. Most lab testing is covered by USMI. |
| Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) | The “emergency contraceptive pill”, which contains prescribed doses of estrogen and progesterone, is available as an emergency measure after unprotected sexual intercourse. It must be administered within 72 hours of unprotected sex and is about 75-80% effective. Consideration should then be made to use a more effective method of birth control. |
| Birth Control | Current methods of birth control available at Student Health Services are as follows: birth control pills and male condoms. No gynecological exam needed for oral birth control pills. We make referrals, prescriptions and information available for the following: female condoms, contraceptive gel or foam, Depo-Provera injections, NuvaRing, and Norplant. Prior to a gynecological exam and receiving a prescription for birth control pills the student is required to complete a women’s health questionnaire. Please call Student Health Services for an appointment. |
| Gynecological Exam | A pelvic exam including Pap Smear and breast exam is recommended for all women starting at age 21 or when sexual activity begins. This service is provided by appointment only. You should schedule an appointment with Student Health Services at a time when you will not be menstruating, and re-schedule if your period should start. At least 48 hours before your Pap appointment, do not douche, have sexual intercourse, or use tampons, vaginal jellies, or creams. There is no cost for the gynecological exam performed by Student Health Services. |
| Infections and/or Other Problems | If you have signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection or other gynecological problem, an appointment is advised. The professional medical staff, however, may evaluate urgent concerns, by telephone and referrals made as deemed appropriate. |
| Pregnancy Testing | Student Health Services offers both the urine pregnancy test and the blood test for pregnancy when indicated.
Timing for the urine testing should be four weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period or two weeks from the last unprotected intercourse. If the test is negative and you do not have a normal menstrual period in the following two weeks, the test should be repeated. The blood test is available when prescribed by the professional medical staff and should be done at least two weeks after the last unprotected intercourse. No appointment is needed for the urine pregnancy testing, however, to obtain a blood pregnancy test we do require an exam by the medical professional staff first. |
| Safe Sex Aids | SHS offers condoms free of charge to all students. Latex condoms are recommended as a method of prevention against sexually transmitted diseases. When used alone, they do not offer the most effective form of contraception. If you use condoms for contraception, they should be used in conjunction with either foam, spermicidal jelly, or the contraceptive sponge.Vaginal Contraceptive Film is another form birth control. It is a very thin square of material that dissolves quickly and releases its active ingredient nonoxynol-9, a powerful non-hormonal spermicide that kills sperm on contact.
For more information about Women’s Health, check out this website http://womenshealth.about.com/ |