School is back in session meaning frat parties, dorm parties, opportunities to date, and of course opportunities for sex. Of course when having sex we all want the safest sex possible. To help us all have safer sex (and to help us figure out our next steps should protection fail) I have compiled a list of the five closest places to American University's campus that can helps us have safer sex. These places offer a range of services and take a variety of different health insurance plans, plus they are metro accessible, meaning you can find the health care that best fits you.

1. American University Health Center- American University Main Campus (0.0 miles)

This is the easiest place to go for your sexual health needs. They do pretty much everything a gynecologist would do including but not limited to: gyno exams, pap smears, breast examinations, STI testing, yeast and UTI testing, short-term birth control, and pregnancy testing. They can also help you find a location which works for your insurance for long term birth control or if your birth control fails, and they can help you find a place regardless of what your decision is to take the next step. An appointment is a flat $20 plus there are bowls of condoms in the lobby. I would say this is the easiest, fastest option on the list.

2. Carafem- 5530 Wisconsin Ave NW, Chevy Chase, MD 20851 (2.1 miles)

Carafem is just a quick walk away from the Friendship Heights metro station. They are not a full service facility, only offering birth control (condoms along with short and long term), emergency contraception, STI testing, and medical abortions. They also only accept five health insurance companies so check ahead to make sure that they take yours. If not they do have payment plans along with connections to different grants to help you afford your medical expenses. They also have cheaper emergency contraception than anyone else, so if for no other reason, go to them for that. Plus they are open on Saturdays and you can go for a walk-in appointment.

3. Planned Parenthood Bread for the City- 1525 7th Street NW Washington, DC 2001 (4.3 miles)

This Planned Parenthood has abortion referral meaning it does not offer abortions, so I'm just starting with that. They do still offer birth control,emergency contraception, LGBTQ services, HIV testing, STI testing, and pretty much any other sexual health need you may have. They take most major insurance providers but not all so check ahead before you go.

4. Planned Parenthood Silver Spring Center- 1400 Spring St Suite 450, Silver Spring MD, 20910 (5.8 miles)

This Planned Parenthood does offer abortion so if you are considering an abortion this is one place very close to campus you can go to. This location also offers men's healthcare so guys can go for their check-ups and screenings too. Just like Bread of the City they take most but not all major insurances. Another great thing about PP is they put the cost of procedures without insurance on their site so you know what it will cost you. They also offer payment plans and can help connect you with grants. I also want to address that PP can help you find an obstetrician or adoption services if you are considering that option, so please go if you need help finding those services too.

5. Potomac Family Planning Rockville Location- 966 Hungerford Dr, Suite 24 Rockville, MD 20850 (12.7 miles)

This location in Rockville is a full service gynecologist and offers abortions up to seventeen weeks. They also specialize in fetal abnormality abortions, so if you decided to abort because of a medical reasoning they can offer more support than an average abortion clinic. They do take some insurances, but do not name them on their site so do call ahead. Prices are also on their site so you can know cost beforehand. Even if you just need emergency contraception they are open on Saturdays until noon making it a little easier to work around a student schedule.

Armed with this knowledge, and hopefully some condoms, go enjoy college and safer sex!