The Wellness Center offers:

• Condoms, which are thin latex or plastic sheaths that are worn on the penis during intercourse. They prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. They can be purchased at the front desk of the Wellness Center (10 condoms for $1.) Students may also purchase condoms anonymously via the Carleton student group AHA (AIDS/HIV Awareness.) Condoms can also be purchased at local grocery stores and pharmacies.

Like all birth control methods, condoms are more effective when you use them correctly.

You can make condoms more effective if you:

Effectiveness is also a concern when it comes to safer sex. Condoms protect both you and your partner from sexually transmitted infections. Condoms that are made of latex offer very good protection against HIV.

More information regarding condoms can be found on the national Planned Parenthood website.

• Annual women’s exams that may include a pap smear if indicated. Currently the cost of a pap smear is $24. (Subject to change)
• Birth Control Counseling. Set up an appointment if you would like to discuss options that are available and what is best for you. We can dispense 2 different types of birth control pills that are $11/cycle or month. (This pricing is subject to change). We can also write a prescription for other birth control pills if indicated. We offer the Nuvaring also at $64/cycle or month. (This pricing is subject to change). We also do diaphragm fittings. For information regarding various birth control options please visit the national Planned Parenthood website.
• Clinic appointments related to vaginal infections or unusual discharge. Please call x4080 to make an appointment. The Advanced Practice Nurses (Family Nurse Practitioner and/or Certified Nurse Midwife) can talk with you, examine you and do wet prep/KOH testing. The test is sent to the Northfield Hospital to be looked at under a microscope. After the results are back the Advanced Practice Nurses can write a prescription if indicated. The cost of the wet prep/KOH test is $15 (price subject to change).
• Pregnancy Testing and Counseling. If you are worried about possible pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test can be conducted at the Wellness Center. The urine pregnancy test costs $5 (price subject to change) and is conducted as part of an office visit. If you are not pregnant we can provide information about birth control, emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infections. We can answer your questions about preventing pregnancy. If you are pregnant, we can provide information/resources for you for whatever option you choose.
• Emergency contraception. We offer Plan B which contains a hormone similar to the hormone found in birth control pills. It must be started within 120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. If you are not sure if you need Emergency Contraception, come in and discuss with one of the health care providers. When you call, please tell the front desk you need emergency contraception, as you will need to schedule an appointment to see one of the Advanced Practice Nurses. Plan B is currently $13 (price subject to change) when purchased at the Wellness Center. Plan B is now available over the counter, which means you can go to a pharmacy and request Plan B from the pharmacist. If you are 18 or older they will ask you a few questions and then dispense Plan B to you. If you are under 18 you must get a prescription from your health care provider for Plan B. The over the counter charge will be around $35-$50. You may want emergency contraception if:
• • The condom broke or slipped off and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
  • You forgot to take your birth control pills, insert your ring, or apply your patch.
  • Your diaphragm or cap slipped out of place and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
  • He didn’t pull out in time.
  • You miscalculated your “safe” days.
  • You weren’t using birth control.
  • You were forced into unprotected sexual intercourse.

To Obtain Low-Cost Birth Control (for US Citizens or US Nationals):

There have been changes since Fall 2008. Previously we strongly encouraged Rice County Family Planning, if eligible. Funding is diminishing through Rice County Family Planning, as it is a grant with limited resources. The program is available, but mostly as a short-term 3 month option.

We are encouraging US citizens or US national students to enroll in MN Family Planning Program . This is a program that offers Family Planning Services (i.e., birth control, STI testing and other related options.) It takes 45-60 days to receive a MN Family Planning card, so enroll as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can meet with an Advanced Practice Nurse in The Wellness Center to provide your medical history, recieive a pap (if indicated), and receive a prescription for your preferred method of birth control. We will also talk with you about accessing the first 3 months of your method through The Wellness Center until your MN Family Planning Card arrives. Birth Control Pills are $11/cycle and Nuvarings are $64/cycle via The Wellness Center. We can also discuss enrolling in Rice County Family Planning for the first 3 months. If you are eligible for Rice County Family Planning services, Birth Control Pills and Nuvarings are $11 for the entire 3 months via that program.

Once your MN Family Planning card arrives you can take your prescription and your MN Family Planning card to any pharmacy in MN and receive your birth control method for 1 year at no cost.

When filling out your MN Family Planning Application you need to:

• Fill it out online and then print it to mail in or fax. It cannot be submitted online.
• Remember to provide your MN address.
• Submit a pay stub from your employment. If you work at Carleton you can obtain a copy of your pay stub through the HUB.
• Submit a copy of the front page of your passport. If you do not have a passport then you need to submit two forms of ID, such as birth certificate and student ID card. See application instructions for other ID options.
• Sign and date the form.

To Obtain Low-Cost Birth Control for the first 3 months through Rice County Family Planning :

1. Have you been seen at The Wellness Center in the last year?

If Yes:
Stop by The Wellness Center and fill out a form stating you have been seen in the last year and that you would like birth control from Rice County. An Advanced Practice Nurse will then write a prescription for the method you were prescribed for the remainder of the year, since you were last seen. This prescription will be at the front desk for you to pick up at The Wellness Center. Proceed to step 2.

If you have NOT been seen in the last year:
We will need to talk with you (call x4080 to schedule an appointment). We will write a prescription for your birth control (the birth control pill or the Nuvaring) . After your appointment, proceed to step 2.

2. You then call Rice County Family Planning, 507-645-9576 ext. 5941, to schedule a meeting. Meet at Northfield City Hall, 2nd floor, at 801 Washington Avenue in Northfield. This is a 20 minute enrollment process with a sliding fee scale. You will leave Rice County Family Planning with card in hand. Fill your prescription at a local pharmacy (excluding Walgreens). You do not pay anything to the local pharmacy, just the initial cost to Rice County Family Planning.

If you would like an IUD…
Rice County Family Planning pays for IUDs. You will need a visit with the Women’s Health Center of Northfield, 507-646-1478, before placement as a Rice County Family Planning Enrollee. (Get enrolled first. See step 2 above.)

Other resources for obtaining annual exams/pap smears/birth control (some at a reduced cost):

• Planned Parenthood Minnesota/South Dakota to possibly obtain low-cost or no-cost birth control and annual exams/papsmears. You may also call a clinic near you and ask to speak with nurse about the 4-NOW program.
• Local Northfield Clinics:
  Women’s Health Center/Northfield Hospital 507-646-1478
  Family Health Medical Clinic 507-646-1494
  Allina Medical Clinic 507-663-9000

Low Cost Birth Control (for International Students):

If you are an International Student on an F or J visa then you can:

Obtain your birth control method by meeting with an Advanced Practice Nurse at The Wellness Center. You can receive your method via The Wellness Center or take a prescription to a pharmacy to use your insurance or “pay out of pocket”. Carleton Insurance doesn’t cover birth control medication. Birth Control Pills are $11/cycle or Nuvarings are $64/cycle when filled at The Wellness Center.

You may also go to a local Northfield Clinic:
Women’s Health Center/Northfield Hospital 507-646-1478
Family Health Medical Clinic 507-646-1494
Allina Medical Clinic 507-663-9000