Sexual and Gender Health Services
Sexual and Gender Health Services
The Student Health Center provides primary care services including referrals as needed for people of all genders.
- Contraceptive (birth control) education, counseling and methods
- Counseling and testing for HIV
- Pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infection
- Routine screening for cervical cancer (Pap test)
- HPV Gardasil® Vaccinations
- Diagnosis and treatment of vaginal infections
- Pregnancy confirmation, counseling, and referrals as needed to abortion or maternity providers
- Diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction. This includes reduced libido, anorgasmia, and erectile dysfunction.
- Gender-affirming hormone treatment
- Other sexual and gender health education and counseling
Contraception
Contraceptives, or different kinds of birth control, are used to prevent pregnancy. RIT students can make an appointment with us to discuss starting, continuing, or changing prescription birth control. Some contraceptives are available for purchase at the Student Health Center, while others may be obtained with a prescription provided by a Student Health Center clinician and taken to an outside pharmacy.
Available Contraceptives
- Male/external condoms and female/internal condoms
- Oral contraceptive pills (birth control pills — taken daily)
- Nuva Ring (a flexible contraceptive ring with that is placed in the vagina each month for 3 weeks)
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) (a contraceptive device placed in the uterus for 3-5 years)
- Diaphragm (a flexible dome shaped device placed in the vagina and used with a spermicide each time before sex)
- Depo Provera (injectable hormonal birth control given every three months)
- Contraceptive Implant (a small matchstick-like device placed in the arm to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years)
- Emergency Contraception
Depending on your insurance coverage, our clinicians may be able to place IUDs and contraceptive implants in the Health Center. For same-day insertions or if your insurance plan is unable to ship to us, we can refer students to an outside office.
Even if you are using a prescription birth control method, the Student Health Center recommends the use of condoms or other barriers (dental dams) every time you have sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are effective, cheap, safe, and do not require a prescription.
Male/external (latex, and polyurethane for those who are allergic to latex) and female/internal condoms (polyurethane) are available without a prescription at grocery stores and pharmacies, in the Student Health Center exam rooms and lobby, and at the following locations on-campus: the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center and through the Play It Safe online ordering system.
Play It Safe is an online ordering system for RIT students to order cost-free safer sex supplies and have them delivered to one of four convenient drop-off locations. All supplies and orders are free. Options include various barrier methods for protection, lubricants, and more! All kits include additional education and conversation starters to help build skills and confidence when communicating with partners. Order a Play It Safe Kit
For more information about birth control methods, visit Bedsider.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC), commonly referred to as the “morning-after pill,” is medication that can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken after sex. EC is not an abortion pill – it will not be effective if you are already pregnant, and it will not harm an existing pregnancy. It may be taken up to 5 days after sex, but is more effective if taken as soon as possible or within the first 3 days.
Emergency contraception is not as effective as other birth control methods and should not be relied on as a “regular” method of birth control. If you are in need of birth control, the Student Health Center can assist you in obtaining a reliable method of contraception for regular use.
A woman might want to consider emergency contraception if:
- The condom broke or slipped off during sex
- Her diaphragm or cervical cap slipped during sex
- No birth control method was used
- Birth control pills were forgotten or missed
- She was forced to have unprotected vaginal sex – link to Urgencies and Emergencies/Sexual Assault Information page
How to Obtain Emergency Contraception at the Student Health Center
If you are in need of emergency contraception, contact the Student Health Center to request a same-day appointment with a medical provider. The clinician will ask questions to determine if emergency contraception is appropriate for you. If so, the clinician will select appropriate the medication for your individual situation.
There are two emergency contraceptives available at the Student Health Center for purchase:
- Plan B: Plan B contains the hormone levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone found in many birth control pills. Plan B does not contain the hormone estrogen. Plan B is now also available at local pharmacies without a prescription and without requiring proof of age.
- Ella: Ella is specifically for woman with a BMI greater than 30 or for greater than 3 days from unprotected sex.
While emergency contraception is not to be used as a “regular” method of birth control, you may consider purchasing it to have available just in case. This is especially recommended for those relying on condoms alone for birth control. If you have health insurance, check with your insurance company to determine if the cost of emergency contraception is covered.
Pregnancy Testing
The Student Health Center offers pregnancy testing and counseling. The most frequently used pregnancy test used is the urine test, which detects a hormone released into urine during pregnancy ten days after unprotected sex.
What to expect at the appointment:
- Be prepared to give a urine sample for this test at the visit. The test takes five minutes to complete and the cost is covered by the Student Health Fee.
- Be prepared to answer questions regarding your recent menstrual period, recent sexual activity, any methods of birth control used, any medications taken (if any) and any significant past medical history.
- Occasionally, a blood test may be conducted. The blood sample would be sent to an outside lab which would bill you or your insurance (if applicable).
The clinician will discuss your reproductive goals with you in light of your test results. Respecting your autonomy and desire, follow-up testing and referrals can be made for abortion or maternity care, including adoption. Consider reviewing some of your choices on our Pregnancy Resources page. Future contraceptive choices are also addressed at this visit.
Gynecologic Exams
A routine gynecologic (gyn) exam, sometimes referred to as a “well woman exam” or “annual exam,” assesses general health with a focus on the breasts and pelvic reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries). Students are sent a Sexual Health History form via the Wellness Portal to complete prior to the scheduled visit.
The gynecologic exam is covered by the Student Health Fee, however there is a charge for tests sent to an outside laboratory. Students may opt to be billed by the laboratory or have the bill sent to the insurance company.
The gynecologic exam includes:
- Weight, height, and waist measurement
- Blood pressure check
- Breast exam and review of breast self-exam
- Examination of the heart, lungs, thyroid gland, and abdomen
- Pelvic exam and Pap test (if 21 years or older)
This exam is also an opportunity to ask questions about a variety of other health concerns you may have, including questions about your periods, your body, your sex life, birth control, etc.
STI Testing
The Student Health Center offers screening tests for the following sexually transmitted infections:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Trichomonas
- Lesions concerning for herpes
Depending on sexual practices and risk assessment testing may consist of urine, anal swab, vaginal swab, oral swab, or blood work. Results typically take 4-5 days but may be longer or shorter depending on the volume of tests the laboratory is processing. Most insurance companies cover STI screening tests in full, but we recommend checking your policy to confirm that you have coverage in the Rochester area.
HPV and Gardasil
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, most commonly through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, anal). Most individuals are not aware that they have the virus if they do not have any symptoms, but they may unknowingly spread it to others.
Gardasil
Gardasil is a vaccine that protects men and women against nine different subtypes of HPV. Gardasil is approved for men through age 21 and women through age 26.
If you started the Gardasil series elsewhere and need to get a dose while you are at school to stay on schedule, please bring documentation of previous doses (with the date(s) given) to your appointment, or ask your health care provider to fax it to our office.
PrEP
The Student Health Center offers Prep Pre-exposure HIV Prophylaxis (PrEP) to the RIT student community.
PrEP is a medication approved by the FDA for daily use that when taken as directed, has an estimated 99% rate of efficacy in preventing HIV infections.
PrEP patients meet with a provider every three months (90 days) for follow-up care that may involve:
- Blood tests
- HIV & STD screenings
- Assessment of any drug side effects
- Prescription refill options
- A discussion of condom use and risk reduction in addition to PrEP medication
- Assessment and support for taking medication
Gender Affirming Care
We support our students who are actively exploring their gender. Some are clear in their journey, some are early in the process. The timing and course is different for everyone.
RIT uses an informed consent model of providing Gender Affirming Care, ensuring that you are involved in every step of your care. The Student Health Center is dedicated to helping people explore options surrounding Gender Affirming Care.
What to Expect from RIT Student Health Transgender Care Visits
First Visit
- The purpose is for mutual information gathering, learning about the process, and a chance for you to ask questions
- Discussion of hormones and other medication – intended effects and possible side effects
- Reviewing consent forms specific to RIT and Gender Affirming Care
- Baseline lab work – sometimes done at this visit but may be done at a future visit
- Quest Medical Lab is the primary lab used at Student Health Center. Check with your insurance regarding coverage for labs. If you are not using your insurance, there is an option to pay for labs at the Student Health Center at a reduced rate.
- Hormone prescription is typically prescribed at a later visit after we have established a good foundation of your care
Subsequent Visits
- Continued gender exploration and follow up of medication (if taking)
- Baseline and/or follow up labs if medications are prescribed
- Medication adjustments based on lab results (if on medication)
- Monitoring progress of changes occurring
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
There are various resources here on-campus to support you.
RIT's Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term individual and group counseling, as well as a variety of outreach groups and workshops.
The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center provides advocacy, education, and celebration for RIT community members of all genders, gender identities, and sexual orientations. The Resource Center team manages PRISM (PRogressive Intersectional Space to Meet), a community gathering space created to foster an educational environment in which all community members can be personally, academically, and professionally successful without regard to gender, racial/ethnic origins, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and socioeconomic status.
Gender Affirming Voice and Communication Group is hosted by the RIT/NTID Speech and Language Center for transfeminine and Trans masculine, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming students led by nationally and state-certified speech language pathologists. The goal of this group is to provide a safe space to gather, learn about ourselves, and practice. Group topics include vocal pitch and resonance, language, nonverbal communication, and much more.