Telemedicine has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few decades, and the types of health care that telemedicine can safely perform have expanded exponentially. 

While some of the services that fall under the umbrella of women’s health care still need to be performed in an office setting (like pap smears and the insertion of certain forms of contraception, including IUDs), the vast majority of them can be safely, successfully and conveniently managed with a virtual visit. 

Here is a comprehensive telemedicine guide to what women’s sexual health is and what services HealthTap’s telehealth doctors can perform.

What is women’s sexual health?

Health and wellness are frequently tied to measurable factors like weight, blood pressure, liver function and more. While those are essential components of physical well-being, there is another aspect of holistic patient care to consider — sexual health. 

Maintaining an optimal state of sexual health is vital for the mind and body, although how that is achieved and what that looks like depends on various factors like age, sexual orientation and culture. 

The quality of a person’s sexual health and wellness is multi-faceted, including the ability to access comprehensive resources on sexuality and quality sexual healthcare, sufficient knowledge of risk levels and avoidance of adverse outcomes (like sexually transmitted infections and cancer).

When looking specifically at women’s sexual health, providers focus on the health risks people born with female bodies may encounter. They also help educate patients on preventive measures women can implement to reduce those risks. This well-rounded approach helps keep women as close to their optimal sexual health as possible.

Women’s sexual health is often managed by specialists, like OBGYN (obstetrics and gynecology) doctors, whether done via telehealth or at an in-person clinic. Although some primary care providers are comfortable managing certain parts of women’s sexual health, seeing a specialist for more catered care is best. 

What health issues do women face?  

While women’s sexual health is all-encompassing, it most frequently focuses on issues specific to female bodies. 

Some of those health concerns include:

• Bacterial vaginosis.
• Low sex drive.
• Pain during or after orgasm.
• Pelvic pain.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Vaginal discharge.
• Vulvovaginal itching.
• Yeast infections.

A women’s health doctor can diagnose, treat and manage most of those issues through telehealth, although some more complicated concerns may need to be seen by an in-person gynecologist for a thorough evaluation.

Care for every part of a woman’s menstrual cycle

From the first period to the last one, every phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle comes with its own unique joys and challenges. 

On average, most people born with female bodies have their first period (menarche) between the ages of 11 and 14. Although these periods are often irregular for the first few years, some people experience painful cramping or an extremely heavy glow early in life. 

As the body grows, changes and matures, so does the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle also marks another landmark in many people’s lives — the ability to have children (if they choose to).

For those who don’t want to or aren’t ready to have children yet, women’s sexual health doctors can also virtually discuss and prescribe certain forms of birth control (like oral contraceptive pills). HealthTap’s doctors can also prescribe emergency contraception, like plan B, although they cannot prescribe “abortion pills.”

But women’s sexual healthcare doesn’t stop just because the menstrual cycle does. For many, the period up to and including menopause can often be even more challenging than the periods themselves — physically and emotionally. 

The hormonal changes during this phase of life, especially the drop in estrogen levels, can trigger issues like vaginal dryness, decreased sexual desire, hot flashes, weight gain and mood instability. Management of this stage of life (and its related side effects) often includes discussing ways to reduce and control symptoms, like lubricants for sexual health and mental health medications to improve mood.

Women’s sexual health doctors can manage every phase of life, so don’t be afraid to reach out to discuss treatment options. Many of the issues that women feel alone in are more common than they think and can be easily managed once they take the first step and schedule an appointment to talk about them. 

STI prevention and treatment

The prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are another crucial segment of women’s sexual health. Being diagnosed with an STI doesn’t have to be an embarrassing experience surrounded by stigma, especially when you can have them handled virtually instead of heading into your local doctor’s office.

Examples of STIs that a virtual health care provider can manage (but not initially diagnose) include:

• Chlamydia.
• Genital warts.
• Hepatitis B prevention.
• Herpes.
• Trichomoniasis.

Regardless of sexuality, everyone who is sexually active must take steps to protect themselves from STIs. Although many STIs are treatable (if not curable), they can also have some significant and long-lasting health complications like infertility.

What women’s health issues can HealthTap not treat?

Using telehealth to manage women’s sexual health issues does have its limitations, however, as there are some health issues that providers can’t safely treat with a virtual visit.  

For example, although sexual assault isn’t strictly a women’s health issue, people who have been sexually assaulted must seek immediate medical attention at their local emergency department. In-person care after a sexual assault is essential for protection and prevention and to help support potential legal proceedings in the future. 

HealthTap can also not prescribe hormone therapy for transgender patients virtually, as these medications are considered controlled and require in-person care and follow-up to manage safely. 

One last issue telehealth doctors can’t manage virtually is HIV medications, like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Patients at a high risk of HIV exposure should find a local clinic to prescribe these medications, as they often require frequent follow-up (including bloodwork).