Sexual health is just as crucial a component of overall health and wellness as weight, blood pressure and diet. However, stigma makes many people not prioritize their sexual health. 

They may be too ashamed to talk about an issue with their doctor or don’t know where to go to address their concern.

That’s part of why HealthTap offers sexual health services virtually — it gives patients an accessible way to care for their entire body without shame or stigma. 

What is sexual health? 

Sexual health is a complex issue encompassing more than just the physical act of intercourse. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as a state of well-being related to a patient’s emotional, mental, physical and social sense of sexuality.

Note that sexual health doesn’t just focus on preventing negative outcomes, like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy; it also finds ways to approach sexuality in a positive way. 

When people are able to take charge of their sexuality and are given the resources they need to make healthy, educated decisions for themselves, it improves their entire sense of health and wellness. 

Sexuality has the ability to impact every other part of the mind and body, so including sexual health services with routine wellness is the best way to prevent issues and keep the whole patient in a state of optimal health. People aren’t the sum of their parts, so treating one system without regard to another isn’t as effective as a focus on holistic care.

Emotional, mental and social sexual health services

The emotional, mental and social components of sexual health are equally as important as the physical, although they frequently get much less attention. How people feel about themselves in relation to their sexuality can impact not only their mood and enjoyment of sex but also their performance. 

For example, performance anxiety surrounding sex can also lead to physical issues like a lack of lubrication or erectile issues. Talking about sexuality as a whole, instead of just a single piece of the puzzle, addresses those issues in a holistic way and gets the patient back on their game. 

For some people, managing their feelings around their sexuality can be complex. Therapy is an excellent option, giving people a way to talk about their feelings in a safe, supportive environment. 

Physical sexual health services

Physical sexual health services range from treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to penile or vaginal symptoms. 

For men, these issues can include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation or sexual libido concerns. Each of these issues, while very common (an estimated 30 million men in the US are affected by ED), can be difficult to bring up with a healthcare provider — especially in person. 

Telehealth is a way to break that barrier, allowing people to feel more comfortable when talking about ways to manage their concerns and improve their sexual health.

Women’s sexual health issues can also include sexual libido issues but also cover a range of topics like vaginal concerns (itching, discharge), pain with orgasm and urinary tract infections. Many women also find it difficult to bring these concerns up, especially with a primary care provider they may have seen for many years, which is part of what makes virtual sexual health services so beneficial.

Women’s sexual health also involves family planning, whether the patient is ready to have a baby or would like to prevent it. Virtual sexual health providers can discuss and manage birth control pills (which continue to be one of the most popular methods of contraception) and prescribe emergency contraception.

People of all genders can also benefit from STI prevention and treatment, as people of all genders and sexualities have at least a small degree of risk when they are sexually active — STIs shouldn’t be surrounded with stigma or shame. 

Telehealth doctors, like ours at HealthTap, can safely and confidently manage chlamydia, genital warts, herpes and trichomoniasis. They can also discuss ways to prevent hepatitis B, all without the shame and embarrassment that can come with having to walk into a physical office.

Are there any sexual health services a telehealth provider can’t provide?

There are some necessary limitations to having sexual health services performed by a virtual doctor at HealthTap. These limitations are put in place to ensure patients get the safest, most effective care possible. This is not a comprehensive list, so it is crucial to talk to a doctor about their concerns to verify they are able to be seen.

Examples of sexual health services that a telehealth provider is unable to perform include:

• Certain forms of more invasive birth control methods (Nexplanon, IUDs).
• Emergent sexual assault care.
• HIV medication management (PrEP — pre-exposure prophylaxis — and PEP — post-exposure prophylaxis).
• Hormone prescription and management for transgender patients.
• Medical abortion prescriptions.
• Pap smears or physical STI testing.

All of these sexual health services are best managed by an in-person healthcare provider, as they frequently require follow-up as well as hands-on care.

Is telehealth safe?

A common concern people have about telehealth is whether it is safe, especially when discussing sensitive health issues like sexual health concerns. However, patients can rest assured that telemedicine has been around for decades and is considered an extremely safe way of receiving care, especially when performed by HealthTap.

HealthTap makes it clear we value privacy and security. Telehealth companies are subjected to the same privacy rules and regulations as in-person doctor’s offices, so they must take every precaution to protect their patient’s healthcare data. 

Patients should also take steps to protect their privacy when seeking virtual healthcare. Finding an environment with privacy and quality non-shared internet is a great step. It can make patients feel as comfortable as possible so that they can talk about anything they need to discuss.