Sexual and reproductive health
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Safer sex products
Campus distribution program
You can get a wide variety of free safer sex products at theWellness Loungeand the Student Health and Wellness Centre
- Condoms and other physical barriers offered:
- External condoms: ONE® and Kimono thin brands, latex-free, large and non-lubricated
- Oral barriers/dams: latex and latex-free
- Internal condoms
- Not on campus? Sexitsmart.ca can send the same free safer sex products straight to your Ottawa/Gatineau home in discreet packaging.
- For large requests (100 condoms or other products), send us an email at [email protected]
Emergency contraception
- Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex or after a birth control method fails.
- While there are many emergency contraception options available in Canada, the Plan B emergency contraceptive pill is free for uOttawa students at the Student Health and Wellness Centre, through a collaboration with the Feminist Resource Centre.
Reproductive wellness
Reproductive health products
- Free pregnancy tests (in collaboration with Planned Parenthood Ottawa) and environmentally friendly menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and pantyliners (in collaboration with the Period Project) are available.
- You can access them at the Wellness Lounge (UCU 203) and the Student Health and Wellness Centreduring hours of operation.
Family planning
Learn about the services offered at Planned Parenthood Ottawa, a pro-choice organization supporting informed sexual and reproductive health choice through education, counselling, information and referral services.
STBBI testing
Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI) are infections that can be passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal or oral sex, or through the blood and some other bodily fluids. Visit the Ottawa Public Health website to learn more.
In-person (booking)
For general STBBI testing, visit the Student Health and Wellness Centre.
For HIV testing, the University of Ottawa, in partnership with Somerset West Community Health Centre, offers free weekly rapid anonymous HIV testing on Wednesdays between 12pm-3pm. If you are looking to get tested for HIV, you can:
- book your appointment online
- drop-in at UCU 203 during testing hours (availability permitting)
- call the Wellness Lounge at 613-562-5800 ext. 4372 during their hours of operation
Please note that HIV testing will be available between September and April in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Your test and results will remain confidential, as will any information gathered in the course of this service.
GetaKit
GetaKit offers free HIV self-test kits delivered right to your home or by curbside pickup to a location convenient to you.
How does it work?
- The HIV self-testing kit is designed to be extremely simple and safe to use. You’ll need to draw a small blood sample from your fingertip that will be analyzed for HIV antibodies by the testing device.
- But don’t worry, everything you need to perform the test will be inside the kit, alongside thorough instructions, detailed labels, and a phone number to reach out to in case you have questions or encounter any issues.
