FAQs

sexual wellness

all frequently asked questions by topic

contraception and birth control

Pleasure and Comfort

Paying for Care

STI Care

General FAQs

contraception and birth control

faqs

Do you offer financial support for paying for abortion care?

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Yes. Please complete [X] form, and a member of our team will be in touch.

How much does medication abortion cost?

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A medication abortion visit costs $275 and includes the cost of medication. We do not accept insurance at this time but can provide a superbill to you for reimbursement from your healthplan. If you need help paying for your care, we have partnered with abortion funds to offer financial assistance and sliding scale options. Please visit the Paying for Care page to learn more.

What does the process feel like?

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Everyone’s experience with medication abortion is different. Misoprostol (the second medication used) causes cramping and bleeding, often with clots. It typically starts within 2-4 hours after taking the pills and can last 3 - 5 hours.
Bleeding may be heavier than your typical period
You may pass pregnancy tissue (white or grey in appearance)
You may experience light bleeding 1-2 weeks after, sometimes longer
This is expected and means the medication is working.

What if I need in-person abortion care?

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If you require or prefer in-person abortion care, you can use the following links to find a clinic near you.

I Need An A (https://www.ineedana.com/)
Abortion Finder (https://www.abortionfinder.org/)
Abortion Care Network (https://abortioncarenetwork.org/abortion-care-providers/)

Will medication abortion affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?

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No. Medication abortion does not impact fertility or increase your risk of miscarriage in the future.

What states does Kyndred provide medication abortion in?

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We currently serve New York, Delaware, Illinois and Massachusetts.

Do I need a diagnosis or referral to book contraceptive counseling?

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No. You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to book a Contraceptive Counseling Visit. This visit is designed to help you explore options and next steps, even if you’re not sure where to start.

Can I receive a prescription after my visit?

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Yes. Depending on your health history and preferences, your provider may prescribe certain birth control methods, such as pills, the patch, the ring, or emergency contraception. During your visit, your provider will review your options, help you decide what fits your goals, and outline next steps if you’re interested in a method that requires in-person care (like an IUD, implant, or injection).

Do you offer non-hormonal birth control options?

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Yes. Contraceptive counseling includes education on both hormonal and non-hormonal options, so you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.

What can I talk about during a Contraceptive Counseling Visit?

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You can discuss starting, stopping, or changing birth control, concerns about side effects, and which options may fit your health history, lifestyle, and goals.

What is Sugar?

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Sugar is Kyndred’s patient education platform, integrated into care to provide clear, culturally relevant education tailored to your health needs and care plan.

How does Sugar support vaginal health?

Sugar provides education tailored to your care plan, helping you better understand prevention, treatment options, and next steps between visits.

How does Sugar support contraceptive counseling?

Sugar is Kyndred’s education platform. It provides clear, culturally relevant information and micro-lessons on topics like understanding your cycle, hormonal vs non-hormonal methods, side effects, fertility awareness, and what to expect when starting or stopping a method. Sugar is integrated into your care plan so you have support, reminders, and education between visits—not just the day of your appointment.

How does Sugar support pleasure and sexual wellness?

Sugar provides tailored education to help you understand your body, options, and next steps beyond the visit.

Is this visit only for Black women?

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Kyndred was created by and for Black women and centers Black women’s experiences, but our care is open to others who feel aligned with our mission and values. Our clinical approach, education, and community spaces are designed with the realities of Black women’s health in mind.

Can you help if I’m coming off birth control?

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Absolutely. We can talk through what to expect as your cycle returns, how to support your hormones, skin, and mood, and how to prevent pregnancy (if that’s a goal) using other methods. If you’re stopping birth control to try to conceive, we can also discuss cycle tracking, timing, and when to consider additional fertility support.

What can I talk about during a Contraceptive Counseling Visit?

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Anything connected to birth control, your cycles, or your sexual and reproductive health. This can include starting, stopping, or changing a method; side effects you’re worried about; how birth control interacts with conditions like PCOS, migraines, high blood pressure, or mood; and how it’s affecting your sex life, energy, or skin.

Do I need a diagnosis or referral to book contraceptive counseling?

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No. You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to book a Contraceptive Counseling Visit. This visit is designed to help you explore options and next steps, even if you’re not sure where to start or what’s “wrong.”

faqs

What concerns can a Vaginal/Genital Health Visit help with?

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A Vaginal/Genital Health Visit can support concerns such as recurrent UTIs, bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, irritation, odor, dryness, and ongoing vaginal discomfort.

What if I need care outside of what Kyndred offers?

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If additional or specialized care is needed, your care team can coordinate warm referrals within the Kyndred Care Network so you’re supported without starting over.

What if I don’t know exactly what’s wrong?

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That’s okay. You don’t need a diagnosis to book care. Our team will work with you to understand your symptoms and next steps.

Can I use my insurance?

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Kyndred visits are self-pay. However, many patients may be able to use insurance for in-person lab testing completed through partner labs, depending on their plan and the tests ordered.

For WTF Visits:

The visit itself is cash-pay with sliding scale pricing, and HSA/FSA are accepted. We provide superbills for potential reimbursement. Your Healthcare Homegirl will work to route labs and imaging through your insurance when possible.

Cash-pay often costs less than insurance copays and deductibles – plus you get immediate access without referrals, pre-authorizations, or an insurance company deciding which tests you "need." To learn more about why we chose this model, visit this page.

Is care provided virtually?

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Most sexual wellness services are provided through secure virtual visits. Some care may involve lab testing through at-home kits or in-person partner labs when appropriate.

Can I talk about pleasure or pain during sex with my provider?

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Absolutely. Conversations about pleasure, desire, and pain are welcome here and treated as valid health concerns.

Who is sexual wellness care at Kyndred for?

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Kyndred provides sexual and reproductive healthcare for people whose bodies and health needs align with services such as vaginal health, contraception, STI care, and support for sexual comfort and pleasure. Our care is centered on the experiences of Black women while welcoming all patients seeking affirming, inclusive care.

What if I need an in-person exam?

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If in-person care or specialty support is needed, we coordinate warm referrals through the Kyndred Care Network so you’re supported without starting over.

Can Kyndred help if my symptoms keep coming back?

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Yes. We support recurrent or persistent vaginal health concerns and focus on understanding what may be contributing so care isn’t just temporary.

Will I need lab testing?

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Testing may be recommended depending on your symptoms and history. When appropriate, testing may involve at-home kits or in-person partner labs. Your care team will talk through options with you.

What states does Kyndred currently serve?

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Kyndred currently provides care in select states: [states].

What is Sugar?

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Sugar is Kyndred’s patient education platform, integrated into care to provide clear, culturally relevant education tailored to your health needs and care plan.

How does Sugar support vaginal health?

Sugar provides education tailored to your care plan, helping you better understand prevention, treatment options, and next steps between visits.

How does Sugar support contraceptive counseling?

How does Sugar support pleasure and sexual wellness?

Sugar provides tailored education to help you understand your body, options, and next steps beyond the visit.

faqs

Do you treat all STIs virtually?

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We can treat many common STIs virtually, depending on the infection, your symptoms, and your health history. Some conditions or treatments require in-person care (such as injectable medications or physical exams). If that’s the case, we’ll clearly explain why and help you navigate next steps.

What happens after I get my STI results?

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Your provider will help you understand your results and discuss next steps. If treatment or follow-up is needed, support is provided.

How is STI testing done?

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Testing may be completed through at-home kits or in-person partner labs, depending on your needs and preferences. Your care team will guide you through what to expect.

Can I book STI care if I don’t have symptoms?

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Yes. You can book STI care for routine testing even if you don’t have symptoms, or if you have concerns after a possible exposure.

Is STI care at Kyndred confidential?

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Yes. STI testing and treatment at Kyndred are confidential and judgment-free. Your provider will explain options, results, and next steps clearly.

Can Sugar help me understand STI testing and prevention?

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Yes. Sugar offers education related to testing, prevention, and sexual health, tailored to your care plan.

faqs

Can I talk about pleasure or pain during sex with my provider?

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Absolutely. Conversations about pleasure, desire, and pain are welcome here and treated as valid health concerns.

Is this therapy or medical care?

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The Pleasure and Comfort visit focuses on medical sexual wellness care and education. If additional therapeutic or specialty support is helpful, your care team can help coordinate next steps.

What happens during a Pleasure & Comfort Visit?

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Care may include education, discussion of symptoms and history, and exploration of physical, hormonal, emotional, and relational factors that may be contributing.

What if I need an in-person exam?

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If in-person care or specialty support is needed, we coordinate warm referrals through the Kyndred Care Network so you’re supported without starting over.

faqs

Do you offer financial support for paying for abortion care?

view answer

Yes. Please complete [X] form, and a member of our team will be in touch.

How much does medication abortion cost?

view answer

Can I use my insurance?

view answer

Kyndred visits are self-pay. However, many patients may be able to use insurance for in-person lab testing completed through partner labs, depending on their plan and the tests ordered.

For WTF Visits:

faqs

What does the process feel like?

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What is a Healthcare Homegirl?

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Your Healthcare Homegirl supports you between visits with lab coordination, pharmacy troubleshooting, referrals, next steps, and other care logistics, so you are not left figuring everything out on your own.

Is care provided virtually?

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Most sexual wellness services are provided through secure virtual visits. Some care may involve lab testing through at-home kits or in-person partner labs when appropriate.

What is Sugar?

view answer

Sugar is Kyndred’s patient education platform, integrated into care to provide clear, culturally relevant education tailored to your health needs and care plan.

How does Sugar support vaginal health?

Sugar provides education tailored to your care plan, helping you better understand prevention, treatment options, and next steps between visits.

How does Sugar support contraceptive counseling?

How does Sugar support pleasure and sexual wellness?

Sugar provides tailored education to help you understand your body, options, and next steps beyond the visit.

Is this visit only for Black women?

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Why Kyndred?

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Care by Black women clinicians and a culturally fluent team that listens, explains, and acts. No gaslighting, ever.

A Homegirl who helps with referrals, authorizations, financial aid, and follow-through
Sugar for health literacy; Kyn for community, accountability, and joy
Trauma-informed, size-inclusive, evidence-based

What Happens After the Rhythm and Flow Program?

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Unlock Ongoing Care

Completing Rhythm & Flow gives you access to the Kyndred Care Membership, a low-cost ongoing care option currently only available through our clinical programs. Stay connected to your care team, keep your Healthcare Homegirl support, and maintain the gains you've made.