West Virginia

United States / West Virginia

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here. It is recommended that you consult with a health practitioner to determine the best contraceptive choice for you. If you want to find which hormonal contraceptives are available by brand, manufacturer or country, click here.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) For combined pills, you must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Holler Health Justice: "Whether you're an individual, organization, group, or health clinic in West Virginia, Holler Health Justice can supply you with free emergency contraception."

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

• Holler Health Justice: They provide at-home HIV tests and on-the-spot testing for Hepatitis C.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Holler Health Justice: "Need assistance getting an abortion? The Holler Health Justice abortion support hotline can help West Virginians and Appalachians seeking abortions with financial assistance, transportation, lodging, and more. Call HHJ’s free, confidential hotline at 1-833-HOLLER-WV (1-833-465-5379) and leave a voicemail for our case managers. Include your name and phone number, and whether or not it is okay for us to leave you a voicemail."

Advocacy & Counseling

• Holler Health Justice: "In partnership with Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition, Holler Health Justice is able to coordinate free harm reduction materials, services, and trainings for individuals and communities in Appalachia. Free harm reduction materials and services offered include: naloxone / Narcan nasal spray, fentanyl test strips, at-home HIV test kits, condoms and lube, emergency contraception, sharps containers, Rx disposal bags, safer-use kits, on-the-spot testing for hepatitis C, community harm reduction and mutual aid trainings."