Reproductive Health Exams / Gynecologic Care
The Student Health Service (SHS) offers gynecologic care for students seeking birth control, annual wellness exams, or evaluation of abnormal symptoms. Some other names for this type of visit are gynecological exam, pelvic exam, or annual exam. Breast exams are also offered as part of a wellness exam, or a separate breast exam appointment can be made if you are having symptoms. If you have female reproductive anatomy, irrespective of your gender identity or sexual orientation, SHS is available to help you with the gynecological care you need.
Reasons to call for an appointment:
- Annual wellness exam
- Pelvic and breast exam to start or continue birth control
- Vaginal / genital pain, itching, discharge, cyst, sore, or bump
- Breast lump and/or breast pain
- Low abdominal/ pelvic pain
- Pain with sex
- Irregular periods
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
If you have questions, concerns, or would like to make an appointment with one of our Health Care Providers, please call to speak to a nurse.
Emergency Contraception Pills
Emergency Contraception Pills (ECPs) are also known as the "morning after pill." They can help prevent pregnancy if you had sex without birth control, you forgot to take your birth control, or if a problem occurred with the type of birth control you used.
ECPs may stop or delay ovulation, prevent fertilization of an egg by sperm, and prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
ECPs work best if taken as soon as possible. They can still be effective for up to 3 to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the longer you wait the less likely the medication will prevent pregnancy.
We offer two types of ECPs. Please call to make an appointment with a nurse if you think you need Emergency Contraception. When you call, you will be asked the first day of your last period, your approximate height and weight, and time of the incident to determine the appropriate ECP. ECP costs $25 at the Student Health Service and you must pay in cash with exact change at your visit. We do not take credit/debit cards. There is a cash machine in the SUB and JFT.
Pregnancy Tests
The Student Health Service (SHS) offers urine pregnancy tests for students who think they might be pregnant. These tests detect the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) which is produced by the placenta shortly after implantation. Urine hCG can usually be detected if testing is done at least 1 day after a missed period.
Pregnancy tests are offered free of charge. Please call to make an appointment with a nurse for the test. Also be prepared to give a urine sample when you arrive for your appointment.
If your test is negative and your period doesn't start in a week, call for repeat testing.
If your testing continues to be negative and your period doesn't begin, please call to make an appointment with one of our Health Care Providers. There are other possible reasons for missed menstrual periods (amenorrhea} such as ovarian disorders, thyroid disorders, excessive exercise, and stress.
If your test is positive, an appointment with our Nurse Manager will be suggested to discuss your health care plan options going forward.
