LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness | Penn State Student Affairs

LGBTQ+ Health: Sexual and Gender Diversity

University Health Services (UHS), Health Promotion & Wellness (HPW), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) strive to provide high-quality health care in an environment of inclusivity and respect. We understand that seeing a new health care provider can be stressful, particularly if you are concerned about being misunderstood or unfairly and inappropriately judged. We value our patients and understand that choosing us as your health care provider means that you are entrusting us with your health and well-being.

Our patients have a right to expect sensitive, respectful, high quality health care and we have the responsibility and privilege of providing that care. We encourage and provide training for our staff on health care challenges encountered by our sexual and gender diverse communities and look for ways to improve our systems and communications so that we can better serve those who seek care from us.

Advocate for Health: Medical Needs

Gender Diverse Care Team:

Trans & Nonbinary Care

A multi-disciplinary team, known as the G ender Diverse Care Team, provides care specific to trans/non-binary individuals. The team is comprised of physicians, a nurse practitioner, social workers/ case managers, and counselors/psychologists. Services to evaluate, treat, and/or assist with referrals when appropriate are provided. Students undergoing hormone therapy can bring their medications along with an order from the prescribing physician to a University Health Services provider for review and administration. Nurses can teach you to self-administer medication.

Medical Services with an Eye Toward Inclusion

Annual Exams

Routine annual health exams are one way to assess overall health and to address health care needs and concerns. These exams allow the patient and clinician to discuss current patient concerns and develop a plan to meet future health care needs.

Acute illness exams are targeted at recent or current symptoms experienced by patients. During these types of appointments, providers offer evaluation of recent or current symptoms and discuss treatment options.

Patients with chronic medical conditions are encouraged to schedule appointments with the same UHS clinician to maintain continuity of care and allow for a better health care experience. If you are seeing a private health care provider for a chronic or continuing health condition, UHS staff will be happy to work with you and your provider to continue care while you are a student.

Vaccines

Vaccines offer an important means to maintain health and prevent infection. Vaccines that all sexually active people should have include:

Hepatitis B: It is now a common practice in the U.S. to begin the 3-dose Hepatitis B vaccine series at birth, with completion of the series before the first birthday. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and other potentially infectious body fluids, including semen and vaginal secretions.
Hepatitis A: The vaccine is often given in the U.S. during childhood and to people who travel internationally. The vaccine is administered as a 2-dose series.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine): This 3-dose vaccine series has been shown to be effective in preventing different HPV strains that most frequently cause oral, anal, cervical, and other genital cancers and genital warts. The FDA approved expanding the approved use of the vaccine to men and women ages 27 through 45.

Additional information on immunizations can be found at the UHS website.

Resources

SHIP for Penn State

Be in the Know: Preventative Testing & Resources

On-Campus

University Health Services (UHS)

UHS provides testing, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections when indicated, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, herpes, molluscum, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis. Self-testing options for gonorrhea and chlamydia are also offered. STI self-testing at UHS is free for the first 8,000 students.

PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)
nPEP (HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis)

Off-Campus

AIDS Resource
- 129 S. Sparks St Suite #1, State College, PA 814-272-0818 Ext. 3
- Appointment only
- Free (no insurance) treatment for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
- Free rapid finger stick HIV test and HIV + support
- Please visit the AIDS Resource website for special COVID-19 instructions
Department of Health
- 814-865-0932
- Appointment only

Supplies: Free Condoms & Kits

Health Promotion & Wellness (HPW)
- HPW provides free condoms for students in the Wellness Suite and at various HealthWorks Access to Protection Tables.
Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD)
- CSGD provides sexual health items for students. They can be picked up at the center, LL011 HUB-Robeson Center.

Find Community & Support: Resources