 |
In order to get birth control pills, a
health practitioner must see the results of your most recent
Pap smear, which must have been taken in the last 12 months.
The Pap smear is a quick and painless test that determines the
condition of your cervical cells, and is done during a pelvic
exam. If you have had a pelvic exam with the past year outside
of Health Services, you can ask your practitioner to fax your
Pap results to Health Services at (212) 854-2702. If you are
due for a pelvic exam or have never had one, you can obtain
one at Health Services. There is no charge for the exam, and
the Pap smear is $13.00. If there are no medical
contraindications (i.e., no problems with your exam or medical
history) the clinician may prescribe birth control pills. A
pack of pills at Barnard Health Services costs $8.00 (they are
more expensive at outside pharmacies). You can renew your
prescription for up to a year after your Pap smear. As long as
you have a routine pelvic exam annually and you are not
experiencing any serious medical problems associated with the
pill, you can renew your prescription at Health Services as
long as you are a Barnard student. No one ever has to know you
are taking birth control pills, or any kind of medicine, for
that matter. Barnard Health Services maintains strict
confidentiality; only you and the health practitioners are
allowed access to your medical chart. In order for Health
Services to release any of your medical information to anyone,
you must sign a release form or letter indicating what
information is to be released and to whom. Your parents cannot
obtain your medical information without this authorization.
|
