It’s important to weigh the possible benefits and risks of being sexually active. To be healthy sexually is to maintain a balance with everything else in your life – your physical and emotional health, career and educational goals, relationships with other people, and your feelings about yourself.
If you’re sexually active, select the contraceptive method right for you based on cost, effectiveness, ease of use and safety. Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are curable or manageable – the key is early detection and treatment.
Dive into the latest student trends on sexual wellness.
Emergency contraception pills are a method of emergency contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. There are multiple locations to access emergency contraception pills (aka Planned B) for free on campus, listed below as partnered with the registered student organization EL FREE EC:
- Olin Health Center Customer Service (UHW)
- The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
- Women*s Student Services (W*SS)
- Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen)
- Spartan Housing Cooperative (SHC)
- Pathways to Persistence Programs
Health Vending Machines (Emergency Contraceptives are $10):
- MSU Union, across from Strange Matter Coffee (M-Sat 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.)
- Multicultural Center (M-Thur 9 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Akers Hall (M-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
There are different versions of emergency contraception pills that are available in different contexts, for more information we recommend checking out Planned Parenthood’s educational resources on emergency contraception.
Confidential STI testing on campus is available by appointment through Campus Health Services Primary Care and Gynecology Clinic. All testing, treatment, and counseling are handled in a strictly confidential manner. To schedule a confidential STI testing appointment, please call 517-353-4660.
Together, you and your clinician will determine what tests, if any, are appropriate. Tests may require:
- A urine sample
- An oral, vaginal, or rectal swab
- A cervical culture or a blood draw
STI tests available include:
- Chlamydia/Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Herpes
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Providers can also provide you with educational information and/or referral for any other sexual health questions or concerns you may have.
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center offers free and confidential drop-in STI testing multiple times a month at different locations around campus. Find more information about testing times and locations on their Instagram page @msugscc, or through the weekly GSCC newsletter.
Routine gynecology care is available through Campus Health Services Gynecology Clinic. To schedule a gynecology appointment, please call 517-353-4660 or if 18 years or older book an appointment online.
Transgender health care is available through Olin Health Center. To schedule an appointment on initiating or continuing transgender care, please call 517-353-4660 or if 18 years or older book an appointment online.
On-campus and need safer sex supplies?
Health Promotion offers free safer sex supplies delivered through campus mail to on-campus students. Supplies available include external condoms, internal condoms, non-latex condoms, dental dams, and single-use water-based and silicone-based lubricants. These items are available for individual students, campus partners, and event requests. Health Promotion also provides safer sex packs (containing 50 external condoms) to RAs. These packs are for distribution to residents upon request and are available twice during fall semester and once during spring semester.
Submit a request for safer sex supplies
Health Vending Machines:
- MSU Union, across from Strange Matter Coffee (M-Sat 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.)
- Multicultural Center (M-Thur 9 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Akers Hall (M-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Off-campus and still need safer sex supplies?
Visit the Health Promotion Office in Room 345 of the Student Services Building to access free safer sex supplies. A self-service supply bin is available outside Room 345. You can take supplies anonymously, no questions asked. Available items include:
- Condoms (internal, external, and non-latex options available)
- Dental dams
- Lubricant (water-based and silicone-based options available)
Supplies are available during Student Services Building hours. Check the current schedule on the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities building hours page.
Free Delivery Within Michigan
If you live in Michigan, you have multiple options to order free safer sex supplies and have them delivered to your home. Submit a request through Corktown Health's safer sex supply order form. You may also submit a request through the County of Midland Department of Public Health's request form.
At-home pregnancy tests are a method of testing for pregnancy that work by checking urine for the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. hCG hormone is only produced by the body when a fertilized egg has implanted. There are multiple locations to access free or low-cost pregnancy test kits on campus, listed below:
Free locations:
Olin Health Center Customer Service (UHW)
Spartan Shelf Food Bank at the Union (UHW)
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
Health Vending Machines
- MSU Union, across from Strange Matter Coffee (M-Sat 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.)
- Multicultural Center (M-Thur 9 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Akers Hall (M-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Safer Sex Information
Consent
Sexual consent is an agreement to participate in sexual activity with another person/other people. Consent informs someone that sexual activity is wanted and is needed every single time people are engaging in sexual activity with one another, otherwise sexual activity without consent is sexual assault.
To better understand consent, we recommend folks get familiar with Planned Parenthood’s FRIES acronym that describes the components of sexual consent:
- Freely given: Consent is a choice made without pressure, manipulation, or the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Reversible: Anyone can change their mind about what they feel like doing, anytime. Even if they’ve done it before, and even if they initially suggested the activity.
- Informed: Folks can only consent to something if they have the full story. For example, if someone says they’ll use a condom and then they don’t, there isn’t full consent, and this is then considered a form of sexual assault.
- Enthusiastic: When it comes to sex, people should only do stuff they WANT to do, not things that they feel they’re expected to do.
- Specific: Saying yes to one thing (like going to the bedroom to make out) doesn’t mean someone necessarily said yes to others (like having sex).
Campus Resources
The MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) is a department on campus that celebrates, affirms, and supports Queer and Trans individuals and communities at Michigan State University through advocacy, education, programming, and community-building. Learn more about their services.
Women and Gender Equity (WAGE) focuses on education initiatives that advance women and gender equity, inclusivity, and leadership for social change and connection through intersectional, feminist, and men and masculinities initiatives. Learn more about their services.
MSU Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) is a department on campus that is dedicated to connecting scholars, students, and community stakeholders with feminist knowledge to advance social change through gender and sexuality research, teaching, and engagement with a global perspective. Learn more about their services
MSU Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance (OCR) is a department on campus that supports the campus community in creating and maintaining a safe environment and a culture of respect through educating all campus community members regarding how to prevent, identify, appropriately respond to, and report discrimination, harassment, stalking, sexual assault, and relationship violence; conducting impartial, fair, supportive, and equitable investigations of complaints under MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy (RVSM Policy) and MSU’s Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP); and connecting those impacted by discrimination, harassment, relationship violence, and sexual misconduct with campus and community resources. Title IX prohibits retaliation against reporters of sex discrimination, including reports of sex discrimination against administrators and other employees. MSU will independently investigate alleged retaliation for participation in the Title IX process.
The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance is composed of the following offices:
MSU Center for Survivors is a department on campus that provides support to survivors and co-survivors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence. Center for Survivors provides a variety of supportive services from individual counseling, support groups, advocacy, crisis services, residential shelter, a Sexual Assault Healthcare Program, and more. Learn more about services, availability, and eligibility.
Access to food and household essentials can play an important role in well-being and student success. The MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program and Greater Lansing Food Bank offer campus and community resources that support students, staff, faculty and families. Baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, baby food, and formula may occasionally be available through the MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program, but availability varies.
Balancing school and caregiving responsibilities can be challenging. The Student Parents and Caregivers Resource Center connects students with childcare information, family support resources, and services designed to help student parents succeed.
Looking for a private place on campus? MSU provides lactation spaces across campus to support students, faculty, and staff. Access the lactation room map using a personal Google account rather than your MSU email account here.
Students who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, or are parenting may be eligible for accommodations and supportive measures through Michigan State University. These resources can help students continue their education while managing pregnancy and parenting responsibilities.
Community and Digital Resources
Reproductive Health Resources
Students experiencing an unplanned pregnancy may wish to explore a range of reproductive health options and services. Information about emergency contraception, abortion, pregnancy-related care, and other reproductive health resources is available through community providers, as well as .
- Planned Parenthood
- Besider.org Birth Control and More
- Go Ask Alice: Relationships
- Go Ask Alice: Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Ingham County Health Department HIV and STI Services
- Lansing Area AIDS Network
- Salus Center
Adoption and Foster Resources
Students who are considering adoption can connect with professionals to learn more about the adoption process, available services, and support resources. Information and guidance are available to help students explore their options and make informed decisions.
- Call 1-800-ADOPTION (1-800-236-7846)
- Adoption Associates (Central Michigan)
Other Resources
Looking for additional support resources? Michigan 211 is a free, confidential service that connects individuals with local resources, including food assistance, housing support, health care, childcare, financial assistance, and other community services.