Sexual Health
Sexual health can include Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention, birth control & contraception, consent, communication with your partner(s), accessing care at HUHS, and much more.
The Center for Wellness and Health Promotion is here to help guide you in creating healthy, safer, and enjoyable sexual experiences. Utilize the information on this page to help navigate questions you may have related to sexual health. In addition, you can always email us with any questions that may arise at wellness@huhs.harvard.edu.
Sexual Health Information
Barrier methods and safer sex supplies provide a physical barrier between body parts to help prevent STI transmission and, in some cases, pregnancy. Barrier methods are only effective when used correctly and consistently.
The Center for Wellness & Health Promotion provides free safer sex supplies for Harvard students! Come by anytime our office is open to access:
- External condoms (latex and latex-free)
- Internal condoms (latex-free)
- Oral dams
- Water-based lubricant
Different forms of barrier methods:
- External condoms can be used on a penis or sex toy for penetrative sex or oral sex.
- Internal condoms are latex-free and can be used inside of a vagina or anus for penetrative sex.
- Oral dams can be used on a vulva or anus for oral sex.
If you wish to purchase safer sex supplies, locations include:
HIV prevention with PrEP
Individuals who may be at increased risk for HIV infection may be able to take PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) in order to decrease their risk of getting HIV. PrEP is a prescription medication that, when taken, has been shown to decrease the transmission of HIV by about 99% when taken as prescribed.
Are you interested in learning more about PrEP or seeing if it may be an option for you? Set up an appointment with a primary care provider at HUHS by calling (617) 495-5711. You can also find more information on the CDC website.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed from one person to another through sexual activity, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Some STIs can also be passed from one person to another through body-to-body contact. Routine STI testing is essential for sexual health and can be an easy process.
STI Testing at HUHS
All Harvard students who have paid the Student Health Fee can access confidential STI testing without any out-of-pocket cost at HUHS. After meeting with an HUHS medical provider, you will visit Quest Laboratory to have samples collected.
All STI test results are strictly confidential according to federal law. Please note that if you are not on the Harvard Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), your testing will be client-billed to HUHS in order to prevent an Explanation of Benefits from being sent to your primary insurance.
How to Schedule a Routine STI Test:
- Call HUHS at (617) 495-5711 to make an in-person or virtual appointment with a member of the Primary Care team.
How to Schedule if You Are Currently Experiencing Symptoms:
- Call HUHS at (617) 495-5711 to make an Urgent Care appointment
Types of STI Tests & Frequency
The types of STIs you are tested for will be dependent on a number of factors, including the type of sex you are having and the frequency with which you are tested. Your medical provider will ask you questions about your sexual history in order to get a better idea of what types of infections you may be at risk for. Different STIs require different types of tests, including urine samples, swabs, and/or blood draws. It is important to be candid and honest with your medical provider so that they can ensure you are receiving the appropriate tests.
The frequency of STI tests depends on each individual, but it is typically recommended that sexually active individuals be tested at least once per year and/or with each new partner. For more information on testing frequency recommendations, speak with your medical provider or visit the CDC website.
Other Places in the Area to Access STI Testing:
Lube or personal lubricant is an important element in creating a safer and more pleasurable sexual experience, no matter what kind of sex you are having.
There are three kinds of lube:
- Water-based: Very safe to use with latex condoms, needs to be reapplied often.
- Silicone-based: Good for longer sessions, requires soap and water to remove – do NOT use with silicone sex toys.
- Oil-based: Do NOT use with latex barrier methods (condoms, oral dams, etc.) as it can degrade the latex.
Reasons to use lube:
- Decreases the risk of a condom breaking (which is important for STI prevention) by reducing friction.
- Increases pleasure for all people involved.
- Can reduce discomfort during sex.
- Great to use with sex toys & solo play!
Wondering where you can find lube?
Check out Good Vibrations at 52 JFK St, Cambridge, MA, for a wider variety of lube. The folx who work at the store are trained educators and can answer your questions about different types of lube.
The Center for Wellness & Health Promotion offers free water-based lube, along with other safer sex supplies, for free for students any time our office is open.
Students who are interested in preventing pregnancy can access a wide range of contraceptive methods, also known as birth control, at HUHS. There are many options available, and understanding what kind of barrier method, hormonal contraceptive, or non-hormonal contraceptive method might work best for you may feel overwhelming. Don’t be afraid! There are many resources to help support you in making a decision that works well for you.
Ultimately, the best option for a person is the method that they can use confidently, correctly, and consistently. Websites like Bedsider or Planned Parenthood provide detailed descriptions of all types of contraceptives, answer questions, and more.
To help determine which method might best suit you and potentially get started, you can schedule an appointment with a provider at HUHS by calling (617) 495-5711.
Emergency contraception (EC), also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill, is a medication or long-acting reversible contraception given to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. It is important to remember that emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and is meant for one-time use, as it is not as effective as other contraceptive methods. Options for emergency contraception include Plan B (levonorgestrel), Ella (ulipristal), and the copper ParaGard IUD.
Accessing Emergency Contraception at HUHS:
A generic version of Plan B, Econtra One Step, can be purchased 24/7 at the ScriptCenter kiosk located inside the HUHS main entrance (first floor, Smith Campus Center) for a reduced cost of $15. Emergency contraception (the generic version of Plan B – Econtra One Step) is free of charge for students who present in the clinic as a result of trauma.
Forms of Emergency Contraception (EC):
Plan B (Levonorgestrel): Plan B is an over-the-counter medication and does not require a prescription. It is sometimes known by generic names such as Econtra One Step and My Way. Plan B should be taken within 3 days of unprotected sex and is typically 75-89% effective at preventing pregnancy- the sooner it is taken, the more effective it will be.
While the research is inconclusive, Plan B may be less effective for people weighing over 165 lbs. If you are worried about effectiveness, you may wish to consult with a medical provider to determine if you should instead get a prescription for another form of EC, such as Ella. If you are concerned about seeing a provider in time, it is best to still take the form of EC that you can access, even if the effectiveness may be lower.
Ella (Ulipristal): Ella is a prescription EC that must be prescribed by a health care provider and thus is not sold over-the-counter. Ella should be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex. In order to access Ella, you can schedule an Urgent Care appointment with HUHS by calling (617) 495-5711. At the appointment, you will take a pregnancy test, and if appropriate, a provider will write you a prescription that you can take to a local pharmacy.
ParaGard (Copper) IUD: Copper IUDs, in addition to providing 10-12 years of protection against pregnancy, can be used as a form of emergency contraception if placed within 5 days of unprotected sex. Placement of the IUD will require an appointment with a medical provider. You can schedule an emergency appointment for a ParaGard IUD insertion at Planned Parenthood.