Sexual and Reproductive Health

SHWB offers a variety of sexual health services, including contraceptive services, pregnancy testing and counseling, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and more.

Contraceptive Services

We have a variety of birth control methods available:

  • Condoms
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Injection
  • Intrauterine and subdermal contraceptives (LARCs)
  • Vaginal Ring

Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC)

What are LARCs?
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives, also known as LARCs, include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants. IUDs and implants protect against pregnancy for longer periods and are 20 times more effective than birth control pills, the patch, or the vaginal ring. Once inserted, LARCs can remain in the body for several years and be removed at any time.

Which LARCs are available at SHWB?
Non-Hormonal Copper IUD: Paragard

Hormonal IUDs: Mirena & Kyleena

Subdermal Implant: Nexplanon

What are the steps to getting a LARC?
Call our clinic and request an appointment for a LARC consultation. These can be telemedicine or in-person appointments. After the consultation an appointment for LARC insertion can be scheduled.

Emergency Contraception

SHWB offers the medication Econtra EZ ($8) for emergency contraception, which should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. For students with a body mass index over 25, Ella is available by prescription, which can be taken for up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse.

If students are unable to make it to the clinic, emergency contraception can be purchased over the counter at a local drug store, online from Amazon, or www.afterpill.com.

A copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Disclaimer: SHWB is unable to provide this service due to limited ability to schedule urgent IUD placement appointments.

Wellness-to-go Vending Machine

We have several products related to sexual and reproductive health available for purchase in our Homewood Wellness To Go vending machine which can be accessed even when the clinic is closed. For example:

  • Emergency contraception (Econtra EZ) for $8
  • Pregnancy tests for $4
  • Condoms for $2

Additional Resources for Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (including abortion services):

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing Options and Insurance Coverage

Asymptomatic STI Testing

If you are asymptomatic and getting STI testing for screening purposes this is considered preventative care. The student insurance plan (WellFleet) covers preventive care at 100% (no charge).

Preventive care includes Hepatitis B screening, Hepatitis C screening, HIV screening, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) HIV prevention medication, Syphilis screening, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea screenings, and cervical HPV testing.

STI screening is recommended annually, but depending on your risk factors you may require more frequent testing. Testing would still be covered at 100% by insurance if your provider makes sure to bill these tests as preventative care.

Symptomatic STI Testing

If you are symptomatic and getting STI testing for diagnostic/treatment purposes, the WellFleet plan will cover in-network providers at 90% of the cost after you meet your deductible. This means you will be responsible for paying 10% of the cost.

Other Insurance Plans

If you have another insurance plan, please contact your plan to find out about coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act most health plans must cover a set of preventive services — like shots and screening tests — at no cost to you.

Whenever you use insurance, you will likely receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), outlining the cost of the service and what was paid for by your insurance. The EOB is typically sent to the address on file with the insurance company. Please make sure you have the correct address associated with your insurance, otherwise your EOB might go to the wrong place.

Testing Options That Do Not Bill Insurance

There are a number of other options for testing if you don’t want to use your insurance either because of the cost or privacy concerns. These options have the same cost regardless of whether you are symptomatic or asymptomatic:

  • SHWB can perform rapid HIV tests on site when indicated. This service is free of charge.
  • For syphilis and HIV, we can send test samples to the Maryland Department of Health and they will process them free of charge. However, it can take about two weeks to get the results.
  • SHWB can send Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests for processing through a confidential service. Each test costs $13 out-of-pocket (so Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests together cost $26). This will not be billed to insurance so it remains confidential.
  • I Want the Kit is a free home-testing service that will deliver kits for testing HIV and Chlamydia/Gonorrhea through the mail. These are mailed to the lab free of charge and results will come directly back to you.
  • Services such as Quest Direct or LabCorp OnDemand allow you to purchase your own tests without a doctor’s order and without using insurance (associated costs listed on the website).

Additional STI Resources