Women's Health Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I expect at Women’s Health visit?

  For women’s health, vaginal, urinary, or STI screening visits, always come with a full bladder and do not urinate for at least 1 hour prior to the appointment.
   
  If your first visit to the Student Health Center is for your annual exam, you should allow ample time for your appointment as an annual exam appointment averages about 1 hour.  You may be filling out paperwork concerning your personal and family health history.
   
  If your first visit is a problem visit, your appointment will most likely require less time than an annual exam.
   
  If you are on any birth control or other medications, please let your provider know.

• How do I choose a method of birth control?

  There are many decisions to make when choosing the right birth control method for you, from what type of hormones to how often you want to remember to take it (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). Your nurse practitioner will discuss which method of birth control is best for you and your lifestyle.

• How do I take the pill?

  Review the document Questions and Answers about Reproductive Health Care at the Student Health Center* and the Birth Control pamphlet* for additional information.

• I missed one of my pills. What do I do now?

  Review the document Questions and Answers about Reproductive Health Care at the Student Health Center* and the Birth Control pamphlet* for additional information.

• I have just started taking the birth control pill and have spotting. What should I do?

  Review the document Questions and Answers about Reproductive Health Care at the Student Health Center* and the Birth Control pamphlet* for additional information.

• I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?

  If you have concerns about pregnancy, schedule an appointment with the health center. Urine pregnancy testing is available at the health center for a fee. First morning urine provides the most accurate results, so schedule your appointment with this in mind. Pregnancy testing results are available within 5-10 minutes.

• What is emergency contraception and how can I get it?

  Emergency Contraception (also called the Morning After Pill/Plan B) is a backup birth control method that can be used after unprotected intercourse or when other methods of contraception fail. It is most effective if taken immediately after unprotected intercourse has occurred. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, studies show that pregnancy can be reduced by 89%, and while the percentage decreases over time, Emergency Contraception can be effective up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. Emergency Contraception is available at the Student Health Center; call or use the online patient portal to schedule an appointment.

• I think I have been exposed to a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Does the health center perform confidential STI testing?

  Yes. All visits are strictly confidential. Your medical records cannot be released without your consent except in the event of a life-threatening emergency, under subpoena or for reporting certain contagious diseases.  Please call or go to the Student Health Center portal and schedule an appointment. Keep in mind, you may need to submit a urine specimen and possibly bloodwork.  Drink plenty of water before the appointment, and do not urinate for 1 hour prior to the appointment.

• I think I have been sexually assaulted. What should I do?

  View the Sexual Assault page.

• I am almost out of birth control. How do I get more?

  Contact your pharmacy first to see if there are remaining refills, and if there are, you can simply let them know you would like to have it filled. If not, contact the last provider who gave you a prescription for your birth control, as he or she may write a new prescription. You may also schedule an appointment at Brady Health Center to discuss renewing your birth control. Do not wait until you run out of pills, as there may be a delay in acquiring more. The Student Health Center will not prescribe or refill birth control until you attend a birth control consultation with one of our nurse practitioners. If you are due for your annual women’s health exam, you may also schedule this appointment and have birth control prescribed at this visit.

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates archived PDFs, which may have limited accessibility.