Gynecology
A variety of gynecological health services are available to students at the UCSC Cowell Student Health Center. These include routine breast/chest exams, Pap smears, birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, and medication abortion. The center also provides sexual and reproductive health education, as well as screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Reproductive well-being services
- Gynecologic exams and pap smears
- Birth control
- Pregnancy options counseling
- Sexual health & STI testing
Gynecologic exams and pap smears
Comprehensive gynecologic exams and pap smears for cervical cancer screening are a part of routine health care. Pap smear screening should start at age 21, and not everyone needs to have this exam yearly. Follow up on abnormal pap smears will be scheduled when needed.
Birth control
Popular methods of birth control (also called contraception) include birth control pills, condoms, IUDs and more. Learn about the types of birth control here and consider which birth control methods work best for your lifestyle. Visit SHOP’s Birth Control Patrol resources for more information.
How to request birth control online
UCSC students can get birth control pills, the vaginal ring, or the birth control patch online—no in person appointment needed! Just fill out an online form in Health e-Messenger, and within approximately 5 business days you’ll receive a response from a clinician.
For students with the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), online consultations and contraceptives are covered at 100%.
Students with CruzCare or other insurance should check with the pharmacy for the most up to date prices for online consults, pill packs, vaginal rings, or transdermal patches.
If you have other insurance please check with your plan for what your copay will be at an off-campus pharmacy. Your non-UC SHIP plan may cover your contraceptives at an off-campus pharmacy. Note: Brand name pills have an extra out-of-pocket cost.
Instructions for Requesting Birth Control Through Health e-Messenger
- Log in to Health e-Messenger after reading all steps of these instructions. You will use your CruzID and password to log in to the system.
Note: If you have never visited CAPS or the Student Health Center before, click on Medical Clearances first and complete the following forms:- Notice of Privacy Practices
- General Consent
- Assignment of Benefits
- Click on Appointments, then select Schedule Appointment.
- Choose Birth Control, then select Online Birth Control Request.
- Complete the online form and submit it.
- Within 5 school days, check your secure messages in Health e-Messenger for a response with your next steps.
- To receive text notifications, add your cell phone number under Profile in Health e-Messenger.
Important
If you received a Birth Control Prescription in the last 12 months and want a refill, contact the pharmacy where you last picked up your prescription. If it was at UCSC pharmacy, you can contact the pharmacy via Messages; Prescription Refill in the left navigation of the Health e-Messenger portal. You will need to have had a recent blood pressure check during the past 12 months to complete this online form.
If you’ve been seen at the Student Health Center in the past 12 months, you are good to go! If you haven’t, you can use the blood pressure self-check station next door to the Student Health Center, right by the Pharmacy on the first floor; go to a retail pharmacy like Walgreens, or CVS; or use a home blood pressure monitor.
Medication abortion
The University of California believes all people should have access to affordable and convenient reproductive health care of their choosing. As part of the University’s public service mission, UC is committed to improving the health and wellness of all people in California. This includes helping people access evidence-based health care, such as medication abortions.
Medication abortion (AKA Abortion Pills) is the process of ending an early pregnancy by taking pills. Our caring doctors and nurses are experts at providing safe medication abortion services and follow-up. Patients are given clear information about what to expect throughout the process and are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns in order to make an informed decision.
To schedule a medication abortion appointment or get more information, call our nurse advice line during business hours at (831) 459-2591.
Information about other types of birth control
- Emergency contraception (EC) is available at the Student Health Center pharmacy without a prescription.
- Condoms, lube, and other safer sex supplies are at SHOP’s Condom Co-op. Prices are student-friendly!
- Planned Parenthood: shows examples of many types of birth control
- UC SHIP covers all types of birth control at no extra cost.
Questions? Birth Control Patrol can help!
Birth Control Patrol is an anonymous drop-in resource offered at Student Health Outreach and Promotion throughout the week.
- Highly trained students can offer information on contraceptive options and assist students in making appointments at the Student Health Center (with UC SHIP) finding health clinics off campus if they don’t have the Student Health Insurance Plan.
- SHOP is here to support students and their partners around preventing pregnancy.
