A healthy sex life is an important part of your overall well-being. Cougar Health Services offers a variety of services to maintain your sexual health, including protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.

We know it can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing to talk about sexual activity, but honest conversations are necessary to get you the care you need. Our services are judgement-free and confidential*, so the information you share will stay between you and your provider.

Remember that healthy sex is safe and consensual. Use protection, respect boundaries, and make sure you have consent for all activities.

If you or someone you know has had an unwanted or non-consensual sexual experience and you need immediate care, please call 911 or go directly to Pullman Regional Hospital.

*Certain STIs, such as chlamydia, are very contagious and can spread rapidly in the community. For this reason, CHS is required to report some STI tests to the Whitman County Health Department within three business days. The health department may conduct contact tracing, but your personal information will not be shared.

Need an appointment?

Confidential sexual health care services are available by appointment. You can schedule an appointment through your patient portal or by phone at 509-335-3575. If you need to be seen urgently, call to see if a same-day appointment is available. 

Services

CHS offers comprehensive sexual health services: 

  • Birth control prescriptions and counseling on various methods of birth control  
  • Plan B (available over the counter at the pharmacy) 
  • Testing, treatment, and prevention for common STIs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, genital warts, HPV, herpes, and others 
  • HPV (Gardasil) vaccine 
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV 

STI Testing 

If you’re sexually active, getting tested for STIs is a good way to ensure you and your partner(s) remain healthy. Most STIs may be treated with antibiotics, but some can cause serious health issues over time if left untreated. Some STIs cannot be cured (although their symptoms can be managed), so it’s important to always use protection during sexual activity. 

We recommend you get tested if: 

  • You have unprotected sex 
  • You’ve had unprotected sex in the past and did not get tested afterward 
  • You’re using a barrier method (e.g., a condom) and it breaks 
  • Your partner has an STI 

Learn more about our rapid (same-day result) tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea here. 

Contraception and Safer Sex

Using contraceptives and safe sex supplies can protect you from STIs and unplanned pregnancies. CHS has a variety of supplies available over the counter and by prescription, so you can choose the method(s) that fit your needs. 

Cougar Health provides the following safer sex supplies in our pharmacy: 

  • Condoms (internal and external)
  • Dental dams 

In addition, you can find free condoms at the LGBTQ+ Center, the Women*s Center, and in many residence halls. Safer sex supplies are also available at Planned Parenthood. 

The following birth control methods are available by prescription from a provider:

  • Birth control Implant (to replace Nexplanon)
  • IUDs – both hormonal and copper IUDs available
  • Birth control pill
  • Emergency contraception
  • Birth control patch
  • Birth control shot
  • Vaginal Ring

Remember that birth control does not protect you from STIs. To prevent STI transmission, use a barrier method from the safer sex supplies list above. 

HPV Vaccine

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can help prevent cancer-causing infections and pre-cancers. The CDC recommends that all people ages 11-26 receive the HPV vaccine. It is a safe and effective way to reduce your risk of HPV infections and pre-cancers. 

If you haven’t been vaccinated, you can receive your shots at CHS. The three-shot series is given over 6 months. 

If you’re not sure if you’ve been vaccinated, check with your primary care provider or pediatrician in your hometown, or someone in your family with knowledge of your immunization records. 

Sexual Assault Resources

Sexual Assault is any sexual activity lacking clear, knowing, and voluntary consent. This can include nonconsensual sexual intercourse or other physical contact.  

If you have experienced sexual assault, CHS and our campus partners have resources to support you in getting the care you need. 

Please call 911 in an emergency. 

You can also contact: 

Frequently Asked Questions