Birth Control Methods
SHCS offers contraceptive management for all types of birth control methods.
Birth Control Pills
SHCS providers prescribe birth control pills for new and existing prescriptions. For a new prescription, schedule an appointment with your SHSC primary care provider. To transfer an existing prescription, walk into SHCS with your existing script and consult with a nurse. In addition, Orthocyclen, Orthotricyclen and Orthotricylen Lo are available at SHCS for a discounted price of $8.00.
» Refill Requests: Orthocyclen, Othotricyclen and Orthotricyclen Lo refill requests can be made through the my health tab of the Student Portal. Requests made by 2 pm are ready for pick-up the next day. NOTE: Changes in current prescriptions or new prescriptions cannot be issued using e-mail as a provider appointment is necessary.
Condoms
SHCS offers condoms at a discounted price of $3.00 for a dozen or $7.00 for three dozen. Stop by either the Parnassus or Mission Bay clinic to purchase.
Diaphram
Schedule an appointment with a SHCS provider to learn more and/or be fit for a diaphram.
IUS (previously called IUD)
SHCS providers are trained to both counsel and place a Mirena IUS for patients.
An IUS is a small device shaped like a “T”. Your health care provider places it in your uterus during an office visit. Two kinds of IUSs are available in the United States. The Paraguard, which prevents pregnancy for 10 – 12 years and the Mirena, which prevents pregnancy for 5 - 7 years. They are equally effective and can be removed at anytime. At this time, SHCS only inserts the Mirena IUS. If you desire a Paraguard, we will be happy to refer you to Women’s Health for insertion.
The Mirena contains the hormone “levonorgestrel”, (this is similar to the hormone “progesterone” your body makes), It prevents sperm from reaching the egg and also thins the uterine lining and thickens the cervical mucus. Both IUSs have a thin string attached at the base of the “T”. This allows your health care provider to remove the IUS in the office and you to check to make sure the IUS is in your uterus.
IUSs are as effective as tubal ligations (getting your tubes tied) – but unlike a tubal ligation an IUS is completely reversible, and more effective than birth control pills. Annually, less than one IUS user in a hundred gets pregnant. Once the IUS is placed, there is nothing you have to do to make it work. Once inserted, you and your partner should not feel it. The Mirena IUS has the added benefits of decreasing menstrual cramps and anemia.
Once an IUS is removed you can become pregnant immediately so if you do not desire pregnancy you must use birth control after removal.
To inquire about an IUS placement, please call SHCS at (415) 476-1281 and schedule an appointment.
Emergency Contraception
SHCS offers Plan B at a discounted price of $20.00 for students and enrollees. To inquire about Plan B, please walk-in to SHCS. Plan B, the "morning after pill", may be used after having unprotected sex to guard against unwanted pregnancy. Plan B works better the sooner you use it and needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. For more information on Plan B, see Plan B Frequently Asked Questions.
Pregnancy Termination
See Specialty Care & Coordination in this section for information about pregnancy termination (abortion).
