AKA: H.O.P.E (Hormonal contraception with Optional Pelvic Exam). With H.O.P.E., you can get birth control pills, Depo Provera, the Ortho Evra Patch and Nuva Ring without requiring a pelvic exam for up to one year.
The pelvic exam is important to a woman's health, but does not determine whether she should be using hormonal contraception. Careful screening through a medical history and blood pressure check determines if hormonal contraception is appropriate for you. Planned Parenthood strongly encourages women to receive regular pelvic exams as a way of detecting cancers and sexually transmitted infection.
Here's how it works:
- Make an appointment with a nurse or clinic specialist — no exam required!
- Fill out a short Medical History form and have your blood pressure and weight checked
- If there are no contraindications, you will be prescribed birth control pills, the Ortho Evra patch or Depo Provera injections for 1 year (other methods require exam)
- There is an office visit charge of $30-$55 to enroll and contraception will be at full (but affordable) price.
- No sliding fee scale
- Office visit needed to re-enroll every year to continue hormonal birth control method
- Convenient for those getting health care elsewhere, but wish to purchase birth control here
- Certain health problems may go unrecognized with no exam.
And, of course, you can always become a Full Service client too:
- Make an appointment to have a pelvic exam, pap smear, hemoglobin and breast exam with a Clinician
- Fill out a complete Medical History form
- Have any method of birth control prescribed for 1 year
- Fee will be assessed and you will be charged according to a sliding fee scale that is based on your income
- Have your questions answered and a better chance to assure you that you are healthy
- Will need to return for a complete exam yearly to continue birth control
If you had an exam done within the past year, you may transfer records from another clinic the first time you enroll. Future exams must be done here to continue birth control.
