Sexual Health Clinic

Taking care of your sexual health matters! It’s just as important as keeping the rest of your body and mind healthy. We are here to help you plan for a healthy future. 

Our clinic provides accessible, non-judgmental and supportive services offered through in-person and telehealth appointments. Appointment requests, health assessments and registration information may be completed online via the Patagonia MyHealth Patient Portal. Please contact us to receive your activation code for the portal. Once you have your code, you can access the Patagonia MyHealth Patient Portal by clicking on the link below:

SERVICES AVAILABLE

• Recommended wellness screenings:
  • A Pap test and pelvic exam are recommended starting at age 21 and every 3 years after that as long as test results are normal. At the age of 30, a Pap test with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is recommended every 5 years as long as test results are normal. More frequent testing may be recommended if any results are abnormal.
  • Clinical breast exam starting at age 25. Your risk factors for breast cancer will determine how often and what future breast screenings will be recommended. Self-breast exam education.
  • Testicular exam based on symptoms and risk factors along with testicular self-exam education.
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment.
• Rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counseling.
• Pregnancy testing and counseling.
• Birth control methods onsite include the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant and Plan B (emergency contraception.) We can also make a referral for an intrauterine device (IUD.)
• Free condoms, which can also be found at community locations or through the mail
• Immunizations, including the HPV vaccine.
• Education and support to help you develop a reproductive life plan and take control of your sexual health including achieving pregnancy, basic infertility and preconception counseling.

BIRTH CONTROL OPTIONS

• Oral contraceptives (pill)
• Vaginal ring
• Depo-Provera (shot)
• Patch
• Implant - Nexplanon

STD TESTING

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Herpes
• HIV
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis (Trich)
• Other Tests Available:
  • Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
  • Vaginal yeast infections

LOCATIONS & APPOINTMENTS

Appointments with a nurse or nurse practitioner are available at our Niles office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at our Benton Harbor office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Telehealth appointments are available Monday-Thursday. Telehealth appointments include birth control starts and STD risk assessment with a future clinic appointment for testing ordered by the nurse practitioner.

WALK-IN SERVICES & FAST TRACK STD TESTING

Fast track testing: Quick and easy STD testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea with a urine sample. No appointment is needed for those who meet the fast track criteria. Fast track is available Monday-Thursday in Benton Harbor and Niles from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. for $10. Get in, get tested and get on with your day!

Walk-In Services: Walk-ins are welcomed every Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. in both Benton Harbor and Niles offices. Walk-ins are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY CLINIC APPOINTMENT?

STD TESTING PROCESS

Health assessment questionnaires may be completed electronically through your MyHealth portal or in person at our clinic. A nurse or nurse practitioner will review your answers and help identify risks for STDs. This can be done with a telehealth visit or in person. Based on your answers, STD testing will be ordered. We will also help you decide on steps you can take that may reduce your risks and prevent future STDs. Rapid HIV testing is available and offered at every STD clinic visit. We will also assess your immunization history and recommend vaccines that will benefit you and your health, such as vaccines for HPV, Hepatitis A and B and others.

TREATMENT

Those who test positive for STDs will be treated according to CDC treatment guidelines. Testing and treatment will also be offered to your partners.

RETESTING RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended for persons who have tested positive for gonorrhea, chlamydia or trichomoniasis to get retested three months after treatment.

BIRTH CONTROL START PROCESS

Health assessment questionnaires may be completed electronically through your MyHealth portal or in person at our clinic. A nurse practitioner will review your answers and help you choose the birth control method that you desire and is safest for you based on your current health status. This can be done with a telehealth visit or in person. Prescriptions can be sent electronically to a pharmacy or dispensed at our clinic either in person that day or if a telehealth visit, another day during a nurse clinic. If you choose a telehealth visit option, you may be asked to drop off a urine sample for STD testing or stop by our clinic for a blood pressure measurement (if you cannot report a blood pressure reading measured at another provider's office or home blood pressure reading within the last 3 months.)

REFERRALS

Occasionally, a person may have very serious symptoms that we are unable to treat or that require further follow up care. In that case, we will make a referral to a doctor, clinic or emergency room.

COST

A clinic fee of $15 is due at time of service for STD and birth control supply visits with a nurse. Billing your insurance for a visit with a nurse practitioner is also an option. Once your care is established with our nurse practitioner, future visits with the nurse may be billed to your insurance.

Most major insurance plans are accepted, including most Medicaid plans. With your permission, laboratory services will be billed to your insurance provider. If you are uninsured, costs are based on a sliding-fee scale determined according to your income, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Pap smears and breast exams are offered at no cost through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program for those that are uninsured/underinsured and meet income qualifications.