Contraception & STI Testing

How to Get Care 

Contraception, STI test orders, and related care are available through UHC’s Gynecology and Sexual Health and Primary Care Clinics.

 

Comprehensive contraception support:

  • Prescription-based methods, including intrauterine devices (IUD) or implants, the shot, the pill, the patch, the ring, or diaphragm
  • IUD insertion, with pain management options
  • E-consult for IUDs and e-consult for implants (Nexplanon)
  • Emergency contraception:
  • Family planning, preconception counseling and medication abortion up to 10 weeks of pregnancy
  • UHC can provide pregnancy testing; however, self-testing at home may be preferred as it is generally faster
  • Trauma-informed post-sexual assault services in an affirming and inclusive environment; this includes any needed testing and treatment
  • Safer sex supplies, including free condoms and other supplies from Wolverine Wellness (on the ground floor of the University Health Service building)

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, testing, & treatment:

  • Getting tested for STIs can reduce anxiety about your health, help you understand risk and safer sex options, and get earlier medical care if you are infected
  • You should have an STI assessment if you have been (or may have been) exposed to an STI or if you experience symptoms, such as:
    • Unusual discharge
    • Painful or burning with urination
    • Genital skin changes (rash, sore, blister, growths)
    • Pelvic discomfort or pain
    • Testicular pain
  • An assessment consists of a brief sexual history, education, a physical examination if necessary, and possible laboratory testing
  • Tests may require a urine sample; oral, vagina, penile or rectal swab; cervical culture and/or blood draw
  • It is not possible to test for all STIs; talk to your health care provider about what tests are best for you
  • There are no fees or insurance billings for common STI tests for currently enrolled U-M students or as part of the Sexual Assault Exam or as a result of sexual assault.
    • Chlamydia
    • Gonorrhea
    • Herpes
    • HIV (conventional--see more options for HIV testing below)
    • Mycoplasma genitalium
    • Syphilis
    • Trichomonas
    • Testing for hepatitis C is NOT included
  • With the exception of the tests above, UHC will bill diagnostic testing and other services to your personal health insurance. Services may appear on the insurance holder's Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements.
  • As an alternative to billing insurance, contact our billing office to discuss other payment options on the same day that your tests or services are ordered / performed. Payment must be made within 30 days.

HIV testing & prevention

If you are concerned about a recent exposure to HIV (within the last 24 hours), call UHC to expedite access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV.

 

Conventional HIV Testing:

  • You will meet with a UHC clinician or nurse
  • You can combine HIV testing with other services, or it can be done alone
  • A conventional blood test is used and results will be ready in several days
  • Fees vary, but it is free for enrolled students

Rapid HIV Testing:

  • Available one day a week at Wolverine Wellness and Spectrum Center
  • The result will not be part of your medical record, and there is no documentation of results - it's just so you know your status
  • Appointments are required
  • Same-day appointments are not available
  • Results are provided at your appointment
  • You can also purchase a rapid test for use at home, such as an OraQuick home-test kit

The meaning of test results:

  • Negative means no HIV antigen or antibodies found, either because you have not been infected with HIV, or you have not yet developed antigen or antibodies that can be seen on the test. (For most people, antigen or antibodies can be identified on the test within 2 to 6 weeks after infection.)
  • Positive means HIV antigen or antibodies were found. A follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, HIV is present and you are able to infect others. It does not necessarily mean that you have symptoms.
  • Indeterminate means that the test result is unclear and should be repeated.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV:

  • PrEP is approved for sexually active adults who are at ongoing high risk of HIV infection. It consists of a pill such as Truvada® that is taken every day.
  • Studies show that PrEP effectively reduces risk of contracting HIV -- up to 92% lower -- for those who took the medication consistently compared to those who did not take the medication.
  • The medication is not immediately effective; it takes up to 20 days to develop protection. It is meant to be used with other prevention measures such as condoms. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, and it is not a cure for HIV.
  • Insurance coverage varies, so please determine your coverage through your health insurance company.
  • To discuss PrEP, schedule an appointment by calling UHC at 734-764-8320 and indicate you are interested in PrEP for HIV prevention. You should not be infected with HIV to use PrEP, so HIV testing would be performed prior to starting PrEP.
  • If you are prescribed PrEP, you would need to return to your clinician every three months for HIV and other STI testing, monitoring of kidney and liver functions, and prescription refills.
  • If you have an existing prescription for PrEP from elsewhere and want to transfer care to a UHC clinician, or if you need follow-up care, please schedule an appointment.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV:

  • PEP is the use of medications to prevent HIV after a single high-risk event, e.g. needlestick or unprotected sex with an HIV+ partner. It is intended to stop HIV from replicating and spreading throughout the body.
  • A study of health care workers showed that PEP reduced risk of infection by 87%.
  • PEP must be started within 3 days (72 hours) of a possible exposure, but it should be started as soon as possible to be most effective.
  • PEP medications are intended to be taken for 28 days.
  • Insurance coverage varies, so please determine your coverage through your health insurance company.
  • To consider PEP, schedule an appointment by calling UHC at 734-764-8320 and indicate you are interested in PEP.

Doxy PrEP/PEP:

  • Doxy PrEP/PEP is specifically for prevention of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
  • To discuss this option, schedule an appointment by calling UHC at 734-764-8320 and indicate you are interested in Doxy PrEP/PEP.