Resource
This page is based on the Contraception Connection booklet from SHAG, a resource created and regularly updated for Brown students by Brown students.
Division of Campus Life
BWell Health Promotion
Tags
Sexual Health Empowerment
Contraception Connection
Options
Make An Informed Choice
Selecting a contraceptive method can take some research. This resource is intended to help you understand a little bit about each method, including the advantages and drawbacks. All of the methods discussed protect against pregnancy and two (external and internal condoms) offer protection against STIs as well. Keep in mind that condoms can be coupled with another contraception method (like the pill) to increase the overall pregnancy protection effectiveness level at the same time as offering STI protection.
Be Confident About Confidentiality
All Brown students can use Student Health Services and all visits to Health Services are confidential. Health Services staff will never discuss your personal health information with others, including family members, without your express permission or request. If you are concerned about insurance billing and confidentiality, let your provider know and they can help you to understand what information might be shared by an insurance company.
Get Your Questions Answered
Choosing the right method is an important decision and you need and deserve to get your questions answered. A good tip is to write down any and all questions you have before you go to see your medical provider. Bring the list with you to your appointment and that way you won’t forget anything.
If you would rather speak to a peer, but want to make sure you are getting reliable, confidential information, you can text the peer educators of the Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG!). Log in with your Brown credentials to get the texting number. You will get a personalized response, written by a SHAG peer educator and reviewed by a Health Promotion staff person, within 24 hours.
Understanding Effectiveness
If a method is 98% effective, this means that out of 100 people using the method for 1 year, 2 would experience a pregnancy and 98 would not.
Cost + Insurance
Student Insurance at Brown
All students can use Student Health Services, regardless of insurance. Visits at Health Services are covered by your Health Services fee and insurance is never billed for your office visit with UHS medical providers, but prescriptions and any lab fees are usually charged to insurance. Prescription contraception methods obtained at the Health Services pharmacy can be paid for out of pocket or you can use your Brown-sponsored student health insurance plan (SHIP) or other health insurance. Many prescription methods are available at low or no cost depending on your insurance coverage.
If you have the Brown Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for your health insurance coverage, you will find that paying for contraceptives is most seamless and there are a few extra perks, like free Plan B emergency contraception at the pharmacy. However, no matter what health insurance plan you have, you can see any provider at Health Services without any cost and can use the lab and pharmacy and have any charges billed to your insurance.
Free Birth Control
You can probably get birth control for free. In many cases, if you use health insurance, your birth control will not cost you anything at all. Every student must have health insurance in addition to paying the health fee, either through the Brown-sponsored student health insurance plan (SHIP) or through another insurance company. Under the Affordable Care Act (or ACA), if you have health insurance, your birth control method should be a covered benefit without any out-of-pocket expenses. If you have SHIP or a private health insurance, your birth control will likely be covered without a co-pay. This means that when you walk into the pharmacy to pick up a pack of pills, your receipt would say $0, and when you go to a health care provider to get an IUD, your cost, again, would be $0.
Source
Birth control cost information adapted from materials from Bedsider.
Prescription Methods: LARCs
Long acting reversible contraceptives are highly effective (fewer than 1 in 100 people will experience a pregnancy using these methods) and offer long term protection (3-12 years depending on the method).
Prescription Methods: Hormonal
Non-Prescription Methods
Just In Case
If you don’t think your contraception method has been effective (for example, if the condom breaks or if you forgot your pill for 2 or more days) or if you did not use any, consider the following:
Emergency Contraception (EC)
Also known as the “morning after pill,” EC is most effective at preventing pregnancy 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, but may be effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after. Plan B (and generic versions) and Ella are medications which can prevent pregnancy and are both available at Health Services. The IUD is a device which is inserted into the uterus. IUDs are available at Health Services. Be sure to mention that you need a timely appointment. Read more about your EC options on BWell's Emergency Contraception page.
Pregnancy Testing
You can take a pregnancy test as soon as your period is late. Some tests can work a few days before a missed period. You can buy a DIY test at any drugstore or see a provider to be tested. Pregnancy tests at Student Health Services are free if you see a provider or can be purchased in the Health Services pharmacy if you would prefer to do the test yourself.
Questions?
Make a Sexual Health Appointment with BWell
BWell offers confidential educational opportunities to discuss questions and concerns related to sexual health, partner communication, safer sex, or related topics, and to get information and referrals. These are not medical appointments. Request an appointment.
Ask Health Services
For medical advice, you can call Brown nursing at 401-863-3953. For medical appointments at Student Health Services, including STI testing and contraception, please call 401-863-3953.
Ask SHAG!
If you would like to speak to a peer about contraception or other sexual health questions, but want to make sure you are getting reliable, confidential information, you can text the peer educators of the Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG!). Click here to log in with your Brown credentials to get the texting number. You will get a personalized response, written by a SHAG peer educator and reviewed by a Health Promotion staff person, within 24 hours.
The questions below are some examples of the common types of questions about contraception Brown students have asked SHAG’s Q&A Texting Service.