Birth Control
What is Birth Control?
Birth control (also called contraception) can prevent pregnancy and be used to regulate periods/ reduce heavier periods. Some methods (condoms) also lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Popular methods include birth control pills, condoms, IUD’s and more. Learn about the types of birth control here and consider which birth control methods work best for your lifestyle.
How to Get Birth Control Online
UCSC students can get birth control pills, the vaginal ring, or the birth control patch online—no appointment needed! Just fill out an online form in Health e-Messenger, and within three business days you’ll get a notification to pick up your birth control at the Student Health Center pharmacy.
For students with the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), online consultations and contraceptives are covered at 100%.
For students who have insurance other than UC SHIP, the fees are shown below:
- Online consult: $25 for students with CruzCare or other insurance.
- Pill packs: $15 per pack for students with CruzCare or other insurance.
- Vaginal ring: $150/ring for students with CruzCare or other insurance.
- Transdermal patch: $120/ box (3 patches) for students with CruzCare or other insurance.
Important
When you're filling out the online form, our system will refer to your "appointment." This is not a real, in-person appointment. Don't put it in your calendar! It's just how our system keeps track of your request.
You will need to have had a recent blood pressure check during the past 12 months to complete this online form. If you’ve been seen at the Student Health Center in past 12 months, you are good to go! If you haven’t, you can use the blood pressure self-check station outside SHOP next door to the Student Health Center, right by the Pharmacy on the first floor; go to a retail pharmacy like Walgreens, or CVS; or use a home blood pressure monitor.
THE PROCESS
- Log into Health e-Messenger below after reading all seven steps of these instructions. Note: If you have never been to CAPS or the Student Health Center before, you will need to click on “Medical Clearances” first and complete “Notice of Privacy Practices, General Consent, and Assignment of Benefits.”
- Click on "Appointments."
- Select "Online Birth Control Request."
- Select a time slot and click “Schedule.” Remember: this is NOT an in-person appointment. Select any time and the system will forward you to the online form.
- Complete the online form.
- Look for a secure message from Health e-Messenger within three school days. The message will have your next steps.
- Set up text notifications by adding your cell phone number to "Profile" in Health e-Messenger.
Information About Other Types of Birth Control
- Emergency contraception (EC) is available at the Student Health Center pharmacy without a prescription.
- Condoms, lube, and other safer sex supplies are at SHOP's Condom Co-op. Prices are student-friendly!
- Combined Oral Contraceptives
- Injectable Contraception: Depo-Provera
- Progesterone Only Pills
- Vaginal Contraceptive Ring
- Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
- Implantable Contraception
- Contraceptive Patch
UC SHIP covers all types of birth control at no extra cost. If you want to stock up on EC, pill packs, and condoms, just stop by the Pharmacy or SHOP for support and supplies.
Questions? Birth Control Patrol Can Help!
Birth Control Patrol is an anonymous drop-in resource offered at SHOP throughout the week. Highly trained students can offer information on contraceptive options and assist students in making appointments at the Student Health Center (with UC SHIP) or assist in finding health clinics off campus if they don't have the Student Health Insurance Plan. Additionally, SHOP is here to support students and their partners around preventing pregnancy. This peer to peer service is here for you!

Resources
- Bedsider: a great website on all types of birth control
- UCSF's My Birthcontrol.org: find the birth control method that will work for you in 10 minutes or less