Sexual Health

The decision about if or when to have sex is a very personal one. When you begin to have sex, you need to think about the possibility of pregnancy and the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection. Abstinence is the only completely effective way to protect yourself from pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Student Health Services is a satellite office for Access Matters and the Temple University Hospital Family Planning Program. We offer family planning services for men and women. These services include gynecology care, Pap tests, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy tests and contraception.

Gynecology and family planning services are provided based on your ability to pay. An intake evaluation will determine your eligibility for this federally supported program. Services are typically at a low cost.

Gynecology and family planning visits are considered routine or “future” appointments. A limited number of same day appointments are available for gynecology problems of a more urgent nature.  You can schedule online or by phone.

The Access Matters program in Pennsylvania provides reproductive services, information and counseling on healthcare for women, men and teens. Services are free or low-cost and are always confidential. Learn more and see if you qualify for the program.

Family Planning Services

Who Qualifies

The program provides family planning and family planning-related services, pharmaceuticals and supplies to women and men of any age who

  • are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance,
  • are not pregnant,
  • are residents of Pennsylvania,
  • are U.S. citizens or if not U.S. citizens, have a satisfactory immigration status and identification, and 
  • have an income at or below 215% of the Federal Poverty Limit.
What Services are Covered

The following is a partial list of the services included in the Family Planning Services program.

  • Birth control supplies and medications
  • Counseling regarding smoking cessation
  • Counseling from your healthcare provider to prepare for pregnancy, to prevent unintended pregnancies and to enable individuals to control the timing and spacing of pregnancies
  • Initiation and management of contraception, including male and female sterilization
  • Laboratory services for the screening of STIs, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), anemia, sickle cell disease and pregnancy
  • Office visits to your family planning healthcare provider for evaluation, follow up and referral to other healthcare providers as necessary
  • Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with vaccine and condoms
  • Screening and education regarding breast, reproductive and testicular cancer
  • Treatment of STIs through medications and/or procedures
Office Visits for Women

A typical family planning office visit for women may include

  • a pelvic exam;
  • counseling about a woman's plans for pregnancy, and if appropriate, a prescription for contraception;
  • screening for high blood pressure, anemia and diabetes;
  • screenings for breast and reproductive cancers; and
  • tests for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

If you have questions about what is covered, please check with your provider.

Office Visits for Men

A typical family planning office visit for men may include 

  • HIV testing and prevention education,
  • information on safe and effective contraception for you and your partner,
  • testicular exams and education about testicular cancer, and
  • testing and treatment for STIs and condoms for prevention.

If you have questions about what is covered, please check with your provider.

How to Apply

You can apply for the Family Planning Services program online or by filling out a paper application and mailing it into a local office.

COMPASS is the online application for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human services programs, including the Family Planning Services program. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply for family planning services and is the preferred method.

The paper application is called "Application for Health Care Coverage." It is available at the County Assistance Offices(CAOs)

Contact

To schedule an appointment, call 215-204-7500.