Student Health Center

Dental dams, and external/male condoms are available for FREE in the Health Center waiting room.

A broader selection of condoms and other safer sex products are available at Student Sexuality Information Service (SSIS) on the third floor of the Shapiro Campus Center for a minimal fee. SSIS is a confidential, student-run organization providing peer education and support on a wide range of topics related to sex and sexuality.

If you are sexually active and do not intend to get pregnant we recommend the use of contraception. Health Center staff can prescribe these medications and help you decide what method may work best for your health, lifestyle and family planning goals.

The Health Center also provides pregnancy tests.

Learn about different contraceptive methods at Bedsider.org or the Planned Parenthood website.

Accessing Contraception Off-Campus

• Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts: 800-258-4448 or 617-616-1600

• Fenway Health

Emergency contraception (EC) can be taken to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can be taken up to 120 hours (five days) after the act of intercourse.

Plan B is available at the health center on a walk-in basis to Brandeis students who are able to get pregnant. Plan B can also be purchased without a prescription at local pharmacies.

Ella is an alternate form of emergency contraception that is recommended for students over 175 lbs who are able to get pregnant, or if it has been later than three days after unprotected exposure. Ella can be prescribed by the Health Center and obtained using your insurance pharmaceutical coverage.

Video from Planned Parenthood: How Does the Morning After Pill/Emergency Contraception Work?

Accessing EC Off-Campus

• Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts 800-258-4448 or 617-616-1600

• Fenway Health

To find other health care providers that will provide emergency contraception, call 888-NOT-2-LATE or visit www.not-2-late.com.

The Health Center offers routine assessment (a-symptomatic) and screening services, including PAP smears.

• Cervical cancer screening is recommended every three years starting at age 21.

• Annual screening for chlamydia (a bacterial STI) is recommended for sexually active women under the age of 25. This can occur at an annual gynecological exam, or with a urine test if there are no symptoms.

• Annual HIV, Syphilis, N. gonorrhea and C . trachomatis screening is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM). HPV and Hep A vaccination and hep B screening is also recommended if needed.

• Gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV screening is recommended for those with identified risks.

• Male-bodied individuals should know how to perform a testicular exam and have any concerns assessed by a medical provider.

• The Gardasil vaccine is recommended for women and MSM up to age 26 and for men up to age 21 to protect against high risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) variants associated with cervical, throat and anal cancers, as well as the HPV variants most commonly associated with genital warts.

• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available upon review with one of our clinicians. We also recommend the use of condoms and other barrier methods, as well as mutual monogamy, to prevent the transmission of HIV.

If you:

• are at risk of exposure from unprotected intercourse

• are having symptoms such as urinary stinging, burning or frequency

• are having unusual genital discharge, odor or itching

• notice a genital rash, skin growths or ulcers

• are experiencing pelvic pain, pain or bleeding with intercourse

• have other sexual or reproductive health concerns

Please call 781-736-3677 to make a confidential appointment for assessment and testing with one of our nurse practitioners. If your insurance limits STI testing or you are concerned about insurance confidentiality, we have set up a self-pay option which allows students to pay a low rate directly to the laboratory processing the samples.

Video from Planned Parenthood: STD Testing: How to Know if You have an STD

Off-Campus STI Testing

• Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts 800-258-4448 or 617-616-1600

• Massachusetts General Hospital subsidized STD Clinic

• Fenway Health

The Health Center provides confidential, non-judgmental services for diagnostic testing for STIs, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and referral for other support services related to sexual assault, violence and non-consensual contact.

• Student Sexuality Information Service

• Gender and Sexuality Center

• Brandeis Prevention, Advocacy and Resource Center (PARC)