{"id":86212,"date":"2023-03-24T16:13:42","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T16:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/uhs\/?page_id=86212"},"modified":"2023-03-27T15:10:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T15:10:15","slug":"contraception","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/uhs\/primary-care\/sexual-and-gender-health-services-old\/contraception\/","title":{"rendered":"Contraception"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":86162,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/one-column.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-86212","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"SEXUAL AND GENDER HEALTH SERVICES","display_title":"","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules_above":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"","content":"Birth control, also called contraception, is used to prevent pregnancy. Some types of contraception, such as internal and external condoms, can also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. If you are sexually active or are planning to be soon, choosing an appropriate method of birth control is a very important decision.\u00a0 Bedsider<\/a> is an excellent resource for learning about the different types of birth control, including each method's effectiveness, benefits, risks, and side effects. A confidential appointment can be scheduled with your primary care provider (PCP) to discuss starting, continuing, or changing your birth control method.\r\n\r\nAside from condoms, most types of birth control require a prescription. Some birth control products are available at UHS Primary Care, and others will need to be picked up at a local pharmacy. Some types of birth control pills, Depo-Provera injections, Nexplanon, or an IUD placement are available at the UHS Primary Care office.\r\n\r\nThe cost of your prescription birth control will depend on your insurance coverage. It is always advisable to call your insurance company or speak to one of our insurance advisors<\/a> to confirm your coverage for birth control before<\/em> you make your final decision. If confidentiality is a concern, birth control pills can be purchased by paying \u201cout of pocket\u201d (without insurance) at UHS or at a pharmacy.\r\n\r\nPrescription birth control methods do not prevent sexually transmitted infections. For many STIs, condoms or other barriers (dental dams, finger cots) are the best way to protect yourself and your partner(s), while other STIs like herpes and warts may be spread by skin-to-skin contact even when using condoms. Regular STI testing, talking to your partner(s) about HIV & STI status, receiving appropriate vaccines, avoiding sex while you\u2019re having symptoms (such as rash, warts, or pain with urination), and fluid bonding with one or more select partners are other ways to prevent the spread of STIs.\r\n\r\nThe UHS Health Promotion Office offers free safe sex supplies, including internal (that go inside vaginas or rectums) and external condoms (that go on penises or sex toys), dental dams, finger cots, and lube. These are also available in the waiting room of the UHS Primary Care office and several other places on campus:\r\n