Not all college students are sexually active. However, if you are, here are a couple things you should know to stay safe and healthy.
Students who live on-campus can request free safer sex supplies, including: internal and external condoms, dental dams, and personal lubricant. Supplies will be delivered to your on-campus mailbox in a plain manila envelope.
Students who live off-campus can request the same supplies via the same form below. Orders will be confirmed and instructions for pickup provided to your UB email address.
Student Health Services can prescribe a variety of birth control methods. Please check with your health insurance company to find out if your preferred option is covered.
To get birth control through Student Health Services, please make an appointment for a birth control consultation. One of our Registered Nurses will discuss the pros and cons of the method(s) that you are interested in. You can then decide which option(s) would be right for you.
If you're worried that you may be pregnant or have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) after unprotected sex, consider making an appointment with Student Health Services.
Emergency contraception — also known as the morning-after pill — is an over-the-counter medication available without a prescription at:
• Student Health Pharmacy (4350 Maple Rd)
• Off-Campus: many off-campus pharmacies/grocery stores
> If you need emergency contraception because you have been sexually assaulted, learn what to do after a sexual assault.
If you are (or have been) sexually active in any way it is important to be aware of your sexual health status. Health status is important if you’re engaging in sexual activities without the use of protective barrier methods or if you’re with multiple partners. Please review and follow the testing guidelines.
If you possibly have a sexually transmitted infection, or want to know your health status, make an appointment with a health care provider. We offer testing and treatment for a variety of STIs, including:
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis
• Herpes
• HIV
• Syphilis
Not every test in the list above is indicated for every patient. Your healthcare provider will order testing based in several factors including your sexual history and presence or absence of symptoms.
To maintain confidentiality, contact your health insurance company and ask that any “Explanation of Benefits” involving you be sent directly to you and no one else.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It can be passed from an infected person to another during unprotected sex, or through contact with blood from a person with HIV. Student Health Services offers testing and treatment options for HIV.
HIV testing is offered by appointment. There are several methods of HIV testing offered with varying costs and result turnaround time. Please talk with your health care provider about which testing method is right for you.
| Negative Test Results | Positive Test Results |
|---|---|
Your health care provider can help you learn how to protect yourself from HIV infection in the future. | You can learn how to take steps to prevent passing the virus to others, and start receiving treatment for HIV. |
Some people are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sexual activity. You may be able to reduce your risk through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves taking a prescription medicine. Taking PrEP — when used together with safer sex practices — can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection for high-risk adults. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other doesn’t.
If you are interested in PrEP, please make an appointment with a health care provider at Student Health Services. When calling, please ask for a PrEP appointment, and the scheduler will know what you mean without further explanation. During the appointment, the provider will determine your eligibility and also order appropriate lab testing.
If you are coming to Student Health Services for STI testing, please do not urinate for at least 1 -2 hours before the test. Females should not douche or use vaginal creams/medicines for 24 hours before STI testing is to be performed.
Appointments with Student Health Services health care providers are free, regardless of your health insurance coverage. However, you may be responsible for any co-pays, co-insurance or deductible amounts associated with labwork, depending on your health insurance coverage.
Social distancing and mask-wearing are great ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but if you are choosing to be sexually active during this time, keep yourself and your partner safer by using the following strategies:
Primary, non-emergency medical care
Student Life
University at Buffalo
4350 Maple Rd
Amherst, NY 14226
Phone: (716) 829-3316; Fax: (716) 829-2564
Preventative health and wellness education
Student Life
University at Buffalo
114 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2837; Fax: (716) 645-6234
