Sexual & Reproductive Health

Sexual & Reproductive Health

Student Health and Wellness is proud to offer a full range of health care options including reproductive health services. 

 As of 1/1/2024, under Public Act 23-41: An Act Concerning Access to Reproductive Health Care by Students at Public Institutions of Higher Education,.pdf all public Universities in the state of CT are required to “provide access for students who live on campus to reproductive health care services from a [licensed] health care provider.”

 While many of our sexual and reproductive healthcare services are outlined below, you can view Student Health and Wellness’s full plan here..pd

Students can discuss birth control (contraception) options with a healthcare provider at Student Health and Wellness in the Hilda May Williams Building.
Birth control options include:  

  • Barrier Methods (including external and internal condoms, diaphragm, cervical caps)
    • Condoms and other safer sex supplies are available for free to students through gloveBOX, SHaW’s free condom delivery program, run by the Sexpert Peer Health Educators 
    • They are also available for free at various SHaW locations, the Rainbow Center, and for purchase through the SHaW Pharmacy and CVS. 
  • Hormonal Methods (including the Pill, Patch, Ring, Shot, Implant, and IUD) 
  • Other Methods (including non-hormonal copper IUDs, contraceptive gel, fertility awareness methods and surgical options) 

Your provider will help you navigate your options to find the right one for you!  

At SHaW, we can currently provide prescriptions for the birth control Pill, Patch, Ring, contraceptive gel (Phexxi), as well as administer the Shot (Depo-Provera), and place the Implant (Nexplanon). We currently refer to offsite partners for both hormonal and non-hormonal IUD placement, and hope to be able to offer IUDs here at SHaW in the near future. 

 For more information about birth control and contraception options, visit: 

Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after sex. The most common form of emergency contraception is commonly referred to as “the morning after pill” or “Plan B.” Note that emergency contraception is different from medication abortion. Learn more about the differences here. 

Currently, a generic form of Plan B is available for free to undergraduate (through support of USG) and graduate students (through a fund from SHaW). Students can access Plan B at our pharmacy, located at 234 Glenbrook Rd. If funding for this initiative becomes unavailable, SHaW will continue to offer emergency contraception for a less-than-retail cost at our pharmacy. In this case, students can use credit cards, Husky Bucks, or even charge the purchase to their fee bill. 

EC is also be available in the SHaW Wellness to go vending machine, located in the Student Union. Students of all ages and genders can purchase Plan B without a prescription and with a valid UConn ID by using Husky Bucks. 

If students are not able to make it to SHaW, emergency contraception is also available at area pharmacies (CVS) and via online vendors.  

While there’s no weight limit to take Plan B, another type of emergency contraception, ella, may be a better choice for those in larger bodies. It also may be a better choice for those who are currently ovulating, or if it’s been up to five days since intercourse. ella is available at Student Health and Wellness by prescription and billed through insurance. If a student prefers not to use insurance, they can pay for it out-of-pocket at the student discount price. Students can make an appointment with a SHaW provider if they would prefer to use ella.  

Some types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also serve as emergency contraception if inserted soon after unprotected sex. SHaW medical care providers can make a referral for IUD placements for students seeking an IUD as both emergency contraception and birth control.  

For more information about emergency contraception, including when to take it, how it works, visit: 

SHaW celebrates all people’s right to experience gender euphoria and is committed to offering an environment where students can seek care and services that are inclusive and supportive of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. SHaW professionals strive to provide student-centered care to people of all genders and sexualities so that every student can access equitable and affirming care. In Connecticut, the need for gender affirming care is a qualifying life event for access to HUSKY Health. 

Part of this commitment includes providing comprehensive gender-affirming care tailored specifically for our trans, non-binary, and gender expansive students. We believe in delivering care that honors each individual’s identity and medical needs and that every individual deserves to experience gender euphoria. Some of our gender-affirming services include: 

  • Exploration of gender-affirming care options suited to the individual’s needs 
  • Administration and monitoring of gender-affirming hormone therapy 
  • Chest and pelvic exams 
  • Acne management 
  • Referrals to trusted local medical providers that provide gender affirming surgeries (such as top, bottom, or facial masculinization or feminization surgeries) 
  • Coordinated care with SHaW Mental Health therapists who can provide gender affirmation support 

We are here to ensure that every student receives compassionate, individualized, and affirming care at every stage of their journey. 

For more information about gender-affirming care, including more specifics about care at SHaW and UConn, visit: 

Get the Facts on Gender Affirming Care (Human Rights Campaign) (Human Rights Campaign) 

UConn Student Health and Wellness – LGBTQIA+ 

UConn Rainbow Center – Gender Affirming Closet 

UConn Speech and Hearing Clinic (for gender-affirming vocal therapy/training) 

Students of all genders can get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at Student Health and Wellness. HPV vaccination (Gardasil), when given before exposure, is highly effective at preventing infection with the kinds of HPV that can cause abnormal pap smears and certain cancers, especially cervical cancer, and some head and neck cancers. It can also prevent genital warts. 

Some people are vaccinated against HPV during the ages of 9-12 years old during routine physicals. If you received HPV vaccination prior to attending UConn, and it was documented on your health history form, then it will be visible on your vaccine record available via the Student Health Portal. If you do not see any record of HPV vaccination in your Student Health Portal, this could mean a.) you have not been vaccinated against HPV or b.) you have been vaccinated against HPV, however did not submit those records to SHaW, in which we recommend checking with your previous medical care provider.  

Vaccination after the age of 15 consists of a series of three shots. Students can make an appointment to either begin their series or continue an already started series by calling SHaW.
Coming soon: students will also have the ability to schedule an appointment with a medical provider through the Student Health Portal. Vaccination is covered by most insurance. 

For more information about HPV vaccination, visit: 

SHaW offers a range of services, appreciating that students have unique needs and each students’ experience with clinical support varies.  The college experience can be both exciting and challenging. SHaW’s model of care includes access to individual and group therapy options, clinical case management, crisis support, medication management and wellness activities.  Students may be faced with different issues including navigating relationships, parenting, motherhood, stress, depression and anxiety that can impact student experience. SHaW’s mental health approach is designed to customize care based on each student’s needs.   

SHaW offers a free Expecting and Parenting Students Peer Support Group, co-facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker and an APRN. The group is designed to provide education and support around the transition to parenting and navigating the stress of higher education.  Specific topics to be discussed include exploring transitions to parenting, discussing mental health concerns, promoting healthy sleep habits, attachment and bonding, creating healthy work/school/life balance, and many others. Students are encouraged to come as they are and should feel comfortable bringing their babies along!    

Student Health and Wellness is committed to providing our students with comprehensive and inclusive sexual and reproductive health education and services, including pregnancy testing and all options pregnancy counseling and support. We recognize that cultural or religious beliefs may influence how individuals approach sexual and reproductive health, and our services are designed to be confidential, culturally sensitive, and respectful of your values and beliefs. This includes providing referrals for obstetric services, adoption services, and abortion services. In Connecticut, pregnancy is a qualifying life event for access to HUSKY Health.

Pregnancy Testing:

  • Students who suspect they may be pregnant can purchase pregnancy tests over the counter at the SHaW pharmacy, or in the SHaW Wellness to go vending machine located in the Student Union. Pregnancy tests are also available at CVS and Price Chopper.
  • Students may also make an appointment with a medical care provider at SHaW for pregnancy testing and confirmation.

All Options Pregnancy Counseling and Support

Abortion Care:

  • UConn students can safely access abortion services, including medication abortion and procedural (aspiration) abortions while in CT.
  • Students seeking to end a pregnancy can make an appointment with a provider at SHaW and can rest assured that they will be presented with all of their options, without shame or fear of legal repercussions.
  • This includes referrals for procedural abortion services (performed off-site by area partners), and/or prescriptions for medication abortion, which will be an available option at SHaW in the near future (call and ask to schedule an “all-options counseling visit”). Comparison of early abortion options are available here.

For more information about abortion services and care, visit:

Adoption Resources:

For free & confidential adoption resources, visit:

Parenting Resources:

SHaW offers a free Expecting and Parenting Students Peer Support Group, a support group for pregnant and parenting students designed to provide education and support around the transition to motherhood and navigating the stress of higher education. The group is co-facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker and an APRN.  Specific topics to be discussed include exploring transitions to motherhood, discussing mental health concerns, promoting healthy sleep habits, attachment and bonding, creating healthy work/school/life balance, and many others. Students are encouraged to come as they are and should feel comfortable bringing their babies along!

For more information about resources for pregnant and parenting students, visit:

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was created in response to the student-identified need for a streamlined process through which students could access services for victims of sexual assault. UConn has SAFE trained nurse practitioners available during operating hours throughout the fall and spring semesters to respond to victim-survivors of sexual assault.  

If a victim-survivor calls or comes to Student Health and Wellness, a response team member can:  

  • Arrange for a sexual assault crisis counselor to meet with the victim-survivor to help review options as well as provide crisis counseling. 
  • Arrange for a free sexual assault forensics exam (SAFE) at SHaW, should the victim-survivor opt for evidence collection within 120 hours of the assault. 
  • Assist with arranging transportation to the hospital emergency department if additional immediate care is required (for example, “date-rape drug” testing can be performed within the first 48 hours after exposure). 
  • Arrange for a free examination at SHaW if the victim-survivor does not wish evidence collection or if it has been more than 120 hours since the assault. The victim-survivor can also receive free STI testing, free antibiotic medications to treat STIs, and free emergency contraception, as well as referral to other campus resources that may be of benefit. 

These services are available without any obligation to press charges. 

If you have experienced sexual assault, you are not alone – SHaW is here for you. If you are unsure what to do, please reach out to our 24/7 Advice Nurse at 860-486-4700.  

To learn more about the resources available for victim-survivors of sexual violence, please visit: 

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) 

PrEP (or pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication for people that are at risk for HIV and to prevent them from getting HIV. PrEP is offered either in the form of a daily pill or a bi-monthly shot.
PrEP is not for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about PrEP, or seeing if it is right for you, make an appointment with a medical provider at Student Health and Wellness.

For more information on PrEP, visit: 

PEP (POST-Exposure Prophylaxis) 

PEP (or post-exposure prophylaxis) is a course of medication taken soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection. PEP must be taken within 72 of exposure to be effective.  
If you would like to see if you are eligible for PEP, make an appointment with a medical provider at Student Health and Wellness. 

For more information on PEP, visit: 

Doxy PeP (Doxycycline post-Exposure Prophylaxis) 

Taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours after sex can help some people reduce the chances of getting syphilis, chlamydia, and potentially gonorrhea. This prevention strategy is called doxy PEP. 
If you are interested in learning more about doxy PEP, or seeing if it is right for you, make an appointment with a medical provider at Student Health and Wellness. 
For more information on doxy PEP, visit: 

MPox Vaccination 

Mpox (pronounced “em-pox” and formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease that spreads through close skin-to-skin contact. In the U.S., there are medications available to treat infections and vaccinations are available for those who are eligible. 

If you’re interested in finding out if you’re eligible for the Mpox vaccination (JYNNEOS), you can make an appointment with a provider at SHaW. 

For more information about mpox and mpox vaccination, visit: 

There are several on-campus options to get private, confidential testing for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs (also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDS). 

Depending on the test, you may be asked to provide a urine sample, genital swab, and/or blood test. In most instances, you’ll be asked to provide at least a urine sample, so make sure to hydrate and do not urinate for at least 1 hour before arriving so as to provide a sample that will generate a reliable result. 

If you’re having your testing done at SHaW, once the lab test results come back and have been reviewed by the ordering provider, you’ll be able to access your results on your student portal. You will be offered treatment for any positive tests. Eligible partner(s) of students who have positives tests will also be offered free treatment, not billed to insurance, without the need to see a medical provider. This practice is called expedited partner therapy. 

Make an Appointment at SHaW:

  • Testing is available at the Hilda May Williams Building by appointment throughout the academic year. 
  • Testing is available for all STIs. The most commonly chosen tests are for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.  
  • Your provider will recommend specific tests by asking a few questions about your sexual history and symptoms (if any) 
  • Testing is billed through insurance. 

Attend a Free STI Testing Clinic Event: 

  • SHaW offers free STI testing clinics periodically throughout the academic year. 
  • These events typically offer testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea. 
  • These tests are free and are not billed through insurance. If you receive a positive result, treatment is also free of charge and not billed through insurance. 
  • These clinics are typically first come, first served. 
  • Students can keep an eye out for upcoming testing dates on the UConn Events calendar. 

Visit the Rainbow Center: 

  • The Rainbow Center, located on the 4th floor of the Student Union, also provides free and private testing periodically throughout the semester. 
  • These are typically rapid HIV and hepatitis C. 
  • These tests are free and are not billed through insurance.  
  • For more information, visit the Rainbow Center website. 

For more information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the STI testing process, and recommendations for frequency of testing, visit: 

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