Going to the doctor for any ailment is likely not at the top of your list of fun things to do. But, when that health concern has to do with your sexual health or function, it is likely that visit slides even farther down the list of things you want to be doing.
For this reason, telehealth services have begun catering to common health concerns that are just, well, awkward or uncomfortable to address sitting face to face with your doctor.
Sexual health concerns like ED or personal dryness are extremely common, yet some people may avoid getting medical help for them strictly because they don’t want to have that conversation with their doctor in person.
Ignoring sexual health concerns may not be life-threatening, but they can take a significant toll on your self-esteem, sexual confidence, relationships, and your overall quality of life. For these reasons, it is important to address anything that you notice becoming a problem or nuisance in your love life.
Below, are four of the most common sexual health concerns for men and women that you can get treatment for online.
1. Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is probably the most well-known and prevalent sexual health issue that men face.
ED commonly develops as men age, and is more commonly found alongside other health concerns like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. For this reason, changes in your erectile function may signal that it is time for an overall health check-up to make sure nothing else is going on in your body.
The treatments and medications most commonly used for erectile dysfunction have been around for decades at this point, and most doctors are pretty familiar with the ins and outs of the PDE-5 inhibitor medications like Viagra (Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil).
Most men are able to handle treatment with these medications pretty well with little to no side effects when taken as directed. So, these medications have been integrated into many telehealth platforms and may be prescribed online after a doctor reviews your symptoms, current conditions and medications, and deems these an appropriate treatment for you.
2. Premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is another sexual health concern that some men face, although the prevalence may be smaller than ED.
Men with premature ejaculation disorder, or PE, may find that they struggle to last longer than 1-2 minutes during intercourse. This may lead to frustration from partners, and self-consciousness or reduced confidence for men.
There are no FDA-approved medications for PE currently, but some doctors are using common antidepressant medications like Sertraline off-label to help extend the amount of time and man can last during intercourse. These medications help by adjusting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and, since there is a delicate interplay of neurotransmitters involved in ejaculation, this seems to prolong the experience for some.
Of course, off-label antidepressant medications for PE may not be the right course of action for everyone, but for men who are experiencing significant distress from their PE, it may be a good fit for them.
Some telemedicine platforms have identified the need to help men with PE using some of these methods in a discreet and safe way, if the telemedicine doctor thinks that treatment is a good choice for the patient.
3. Female sexual arousal disorder
On the women’s side of the sexual health concerns, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), may be a diagnosis when a woman has little to no interest in sex, reduced or no sexual thoughts, or little physical response to their partners for at least 6 months. For many women, this can be a distressing situation.
This health concern can occur due to hormone levels, other health conditions, or psychological issues. For many women with this issue, they may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable bringing this up to a doctor in person, but may be willing to have a telehealth consultation about their treatment options.
4. Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness is another common female sexual health concern that tends to occur after menopause, or after giving birth. Commonly, this has to do with a fluctuation or decline in female hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Vaginal dryness may not only be uncomfortable day-to-day, but can also cause pain or discomfort during intercourse or increase the risk of bacterial and fungal vaginal infections.
Some women may be able to help manage symptoms of personal dryness by using intimacy creams to enhance lubrication, moisturizers, or by speaking to a doctor about estrogen-containing vaginal therapies.
Bottom line
Sexual health concerns are extremely prevalent in both men and women. These health issues can lead to distress, loss of self-esteem, or difficulty in intimate relationships.
Many people may ignore addressing these concerns out of embarrassment of having to speak with a doctor, but telehealth services may be able to help provide help while making the situation more comfortable for the patient.
Telehealth doctors specializing in sexual health issues may be able to gather all pertinent information, come up with a personalized plan for the patient, input any required prescription orders, have the medications shipped to the patient, and then be available for follow-up concerns as the patient tries out the therapy.
One of the roadblocks for patients getting the sexual health help they deserve is an in-person office visit. By giving people the option of telehealth sexual health treatment, more people may get the help they need.
