All Checked Out: Male and Female Personal Health Clinics in Cambridge
Graphic by Katharine Weiner
Following the closure of Harvard University’s Women’s Center and Office of BGLTQ Student Life this past summer, many undergraduates have been left with limited options for personal health services. Considering the importance of medical care in the areas of reproductive health, hormone imbalances, nutrition, and mental health, students must now turn to other resources to meet their needs.
Harvard University Health Services
HUHS is a multi-speciality medical center designed for Harvard University affiliates—including students, faculty, staff, eligible post-docs, retirees, in addition to their dependents. Clinics are located at the Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square, Pound Hall at Harvard Law School, and Vanderbilt Hall in Boston.
The majority of HUHS services are partially or fully covered by the Harvard University Student Health Insurance Plan or the Harvard University Group Health Plan. For those not enrolled in either insurance program, billing varies depending on the services provided. Any questions regarding finances can be directed to (617) 496-8700 or billing@huhs.harvard.edu from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Mount Auburn Obstetrics and Gynecology at HUHS
Located on the fifth floor of the Smith Campus Center HUHS clinic, Mount Auburn Obstetrics and Gynecology offers women’s healthcare services ranging from family planning to reproductive endocrinology. Registered nurses are on site to answer any questions and expedite pressing queries. “We are a group of experienced women’s health clinicians who have come together out of a commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients,” MAOG’s website reads. MAOG’s team of experienced clinicians and registered nurses offers specialized care in partnership with Mount Auburn Hospital, located at 330 Mt. Auburn St. in Cambridge.
Appointments must be scheduled in advance for all non-urgent and preventative care. For urgent matters, MAOG asks that you call 617-495-2333 to reach one of the office’s five primary care doctors.
LGBTQ+ Health Support at HUHS
Also located on the fifth floor of the Smith Campus Center, the LGBTQ+ Health Support program at HUHS provides affirming medical and counseling services tailored to sexual orientation, gender identity, transitioning, sexuality, sexual health, reproductive health, and mental wellness.
The support center offers both medical and counseling services, each staffed by its own care committee of physicians. Medically, the center provides comprehensive and hormonal gender-affirming care, STI testing, HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and consultation for gender-affirming surgery.
For counseling, the center collaborates with the Counseling and Mental Health Services team and behavioral health staff. These teams offer individual therapy with LGBTQ+ affirming therapists, group support, and peer dialogues facilitated between Harvard undergraduates.
Students enrolled in the Harvard University Student Health Insurance Plan or the Harvard University Group Health Plan may be eligible for financial coverage for gender affirming health care such as hormone therapy, chest reconstruction, genital surgery, and related procedures. Call (617) 495-2042 for related inquiries.
Sexual and Reproductive Health at HUHS
For the last mentionable branch of HUHS solely dedicated to sexual health at the Smith Campus Center, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic focuses on disease prevention, contraceptive education, and pregnancy-related care. Harvard students who have paid the Student Health Fee have unlimited access to STI testing at no additional cost—though an appointment with an HUHS provider is required before they will be granted access to Quest Laboratory—adhering to HIPPA, test results remain confidential.
For contraception, HUHS offers a range of birth control options available after consultation with a primary care provider. Emergency contraception is accessible 24/7 at the ScriptCenter kiosk located on the first floor of the HUHS main office. Options include Plan B, Ella, and the copper ParaGard IUD. These items are available for a reduced cost of $15 or free for affiliates who experience sexual trauma.
University affiliates seeking support for pregnancy termination are also welcome at the Sexual and Reproductive Health Center. HUHS healthcare providers provide guidance to patients through the process, and both the Student Health Insurance Plan and the Harvard University Group Health Plan cover surgical and medical abortion costs at no expense to network members.
Sexual and Reproductive Health at HUHS can be contacted at (617) 495-5711.
Men’s Health Boston
Though HUHS offers a range of male and female health services, Men’s Health Boston highlights a demographic that usually is not focused on when it comes to sexual and reproductive health needs. Despite being located outside of Cambridge, this center is a short 22-minute drive from Harvard Yard. Men’s Health Boston offers services including testosterone therapy, treatment for erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular medicine, sonic wave therapy, and nutritional counseling.
“The mission of MHB is to deliver world-class healthcare and help men live their best lives possible and strives to provide every patient a remarkable experience, in every dimension, every time,” the website states.
Cambridge Health Alliance OB/GYN Center, Cambridge
Located around a 14-minute walk or four-minute drive from Harvard Yard, CHA’s OB/GYN Center is fully staffed with board-certified specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, along with nurses and support staff. The center also offers services in LGBTQ+ health, midwifery, nutrition, pregnancy care, sexual and reproductive health, and general women’s wellness.
Those interested can contact CHA at 617-665-2800 up until 4:30 p.m. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“Life can be busy, but it’s important to take care of yourself. Whatever your age or stage of your life, we’re here to help with inclusive and caring gynecology, obstetric, and reproductive health providers,” the CHS website homepage reads.
Cambridge Health Alliance Sexual and Reproductive Health
An affiliated practice of CHA, this division provides care related to birth control, STI testing, pregnancy counseling, abortion services, PrEP, PEP, and more. CHA also operates reproductive health clinics in Somerville, Revere, and Cambridge, many offering evening hours, IUD and implant contraception, and free services to qualifying parties.
Though operating under the same hospital as the OB/GYN center, to contact CHA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health team, reach out to 617-591-6746.
Hims & Hers
Confidential, online care has become increasingly popular in the post-pandemic practice of public health. Hims & Hers in particular has gained traction amongst college-aged students seeking online resources for their healthcare needs—populations including Harvard undergraduates.
Topics relating to sexual performance, weight loss, skin care, hair growth, and mental health are offered across both platforms. For men specifically, Hims provides support with erectile dysfunction, testosterone levels, trouble staying or getting hard, among other things. For women, Hers delivers medications that can ease premenopause, relieve menopause, control menstrual cycles, and more.
“Your health is personal. Now, so is your care,” the Hims website reads.
For individuals looking to enroll in either service, Hims and Hers starts with personal intake; the platforms ask for health history, symptoms, and past treatments so their providers can give individualized care. From there, patient backgrounds are reviewed by a provider, and medications are recommended via online messaging if deemed appropriate. Finally, patients are mailed prescriptions under their determined plan.
Undergraduate houses are frequent recipients of packages from both companies.
For Harvard affiliates looking for a starting point to tackle all personal health concerns, HUHS is available via phone at (617) 495-5711 and operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sara Kumar ’27 (sjkumar@college.harvard.edu) is News Editor of the Harvard Independent.