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In our culture today, many women do not feel comfortable discussing their periods in detail. Unfortunately, that makes it more difficult to know if things are functioning normally or if there is irregularity. According to research, between 14-25% of women have experienced menstrual irregularities. In this blog post, we will explore what is considered healthy menstruation and when to talk further with your virtual gynecologist.
Do you always get your period on the same day each month? If not, there is probably nothing to be concerned about. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about what is normal during your period.
Although it is commonly taught that a period cycle is 28 days, a healthy cycle can vary from 24 to 38 days. A menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and is calculated by counting the number of days until the first day of your next period.
Each period is marked by shedding the uterine lining when hormone levels are low from the absence of pregnancy. Once your lining is shed, the body will again prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy in the new cycle and the process repeats each month or so.
So what is considered normal in regards to the amount of bleeding each month? Most women report that their periods last between 3 and 5 days. It is difficult to get a true measurement of the amount of blood lost during a period due to the absorbent nature of pads and tampons, but the CDC estimates that the amount of blood loss is about 2 to 3 tablespoons per period (about 30-45mL). For reference, a typical menstrual cup holds about 30 mL and pads or tampons hold about 5mL if fully saturated. Other estimates have been anywhere between 10 and 80 mL per period. As you can see, the amount of menstrual bleeding that is normal varies greatly.
If you are curious about finding out exactly how much blood you’re losing, see our article on Menstrual Cups which can give a lot more insight into the volume and contents of your uterine lining. You may be surprised to learn that your period does not just shed blood; your body is also shedding mucus, tissue, uterine lining, and small blood clots.
Many women experience a lot of variation during their periods. Sometimes a period can start out very heavy or very light and the next day will be the opposite. Some women continue to have very heavy periods for a shorter duration while others may have mostly light periods for a longer duration. One cycle to the next can also vary greatly for the same woman.
As you can see, the experience each woman has with her menstrual cycle is very tailored to her unique body, so the range of “normal” is fairly large. That’s not super helpful if you’re trying to figure out if you are experiencing a menstrual disorder. Let’s explore the red flags of when to call your gynecologist.
Although our bodies are pretty miraculous at figuring out how to function perfectly all on their own; sometimes things get out of order. There are many medical conditions related to your cycle that your virtual physician can discuss further with you.
Some common menstrual irregularities include:
The above menstrual conditions can be caused by a number of factors including stress, hormonal imbalances, and many other possibilities. If you are experiencing any of the above and are concerned about your period, reach out to My Virtual Physician to schedule an appointment and discuss your concerns.
The beauty of scheduling an appointment with My Virtual Physician is that you can see the doctor when it is convenient for you. If you need to see the doctor multiple times throughout your menstrual cycle to discuss irregularities, you can do that!
Our doctors are professionals and they are comfortable discussing subjects that are considered taboo to the general population. We specialize in helping make sure that your body and reproductive system are functioning properly.
Are you currently experiencing an abnormal period and wondering if you should seek medical attention? Don’t wait, book an appointment now to discuss your concerns.
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Getting sick while you are traveling or on vacation can de-rail an experience that was planned to be exciting and fun. Nobody plans to visit the doctor while vacationing in Las Vegas. Many people pack general painkillers in their luggage; but what happens if you have something more serious than a headache while traveling? If you’ve found that you’re in this situation, this article will give you the answers you’re looking for including:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are a common illness that affect women more often than men. This type of infection is caused by bacteria in the urinary system (urethra, ureters, bladder, kidneys). The most proactive thing you can do, if you are traveling and think you might be coming down with a UTI, is to pay attention to any symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms of a UTI include:
This step is very important! At the first sign of any of the above symptoms, stop immediately at the next exit and grab some supplies to get you on your way to feeling better.
The best thing you can do for immediate care is to re-hydrate your body to help flush out the urinary system. Grab a 6 pack of bottled water, drink, pee, and repeat. Holding your urine in your bladder for too long can encourage the bacteria to multiply. Flushing water through your system helps to both rehydrate your body and flush bacteria out.
There are several over-the-counter medications geared toward helping with UTI’s. Some are strictly for pain management and others claim to help dissipate or prevent UTI’s. At a minimum, pick up some pain killers geared toward relieving urinary tract infection discomfort; you’ll want to have this on-hand in case your pain becomes worse. Usually, these medications are kept in the aisle with the menstrual care items.
Once you have taken the first steps toward healing your UTI, you may want to call in to your Virtual OBGYN to get an appointment on the books to make sure the infection is gone and get a prescription if necessary.
Traditionally, seeing your doctor while you were out of town was out of the question or limited only to emergency room visits. Today, if you are lucky, your brick and mortar physician might call-in a prescription for you; but more than likely they will require you to go into a facility for an evaluation. This adds delay and frustration to getting care and getting back on the road.
The best way to get quick medical attention for your UTI, whether traveling or not, is to see your virtual OBGYN here at My Virtual Physician. You can always schedule a proactive appointment if you feel the UTI symptoms coming on. When it comes to treating a urinary tract infection, it is better to be prepared for the worst rather than to wait and see what happens.
Getting a UTI while traveling to Las Vegas or another dream vacation destination doesn’t have to ruin your trip! A little bit of quick action can get you feeling better so you can fully enjoy your trip. Are you suffering and in need of immediate treatment for a UTI? Click to book your appointment here!
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Due to a number of factors, including the Las Vegas OBGYN shortage, online OBGYN appointments have become increasingly popular and accepted among patients, doctors, and insurance companies. Everyday more practices are opening their virtual doors to allow patient access through an online portal.
Healthcare executives are predicting that by 2040, our healthcare system will be completely transformed; a substantial component of our healthcare will be virtual. With all these new virtual options starting to become available now, how does a patient choose which one is right for her or her family? Although we can’t make that decision for you, we will show you what set My Virtual Physician apart from other telehealth companies.
How much is this going to cost me? Cost is a huge factor when it comes to choosing a doctor. Traditional doctor appointments have proven to be very expensive, and more commonly, led to surprise bills that continue to trickle into your home long after you thought you were done paying.
With most health insurance, you still pay for 100% of your medical care out of pocket until you meet a deductible amount. Once your deductible is met, you continue to pay a portion of the doctor appointment, but largely, the amount you will be charged remains a mystery until the bill goes through your insurance company and you’re stuck with the remaining balance.
With My Virtual Physician, whether you have insurance or not, the cost of your appointment is up-front and will not change. There is no surprise billing. We make our pricing plans very transparent and affordable. If you decide to use our telehealth services and schedule a one-time appointment, your cost will be $49. That meets or beats our competitors’ rates which can be as high as $75.00 per visit (Doctor On Demand).
What if you need to see your virtual OBGYN more frequently? An example would be a condition where your physician would like you to try a treatment option for a specified period and re-visit your symptoms at regular follow-up virtual appointments. If you’re in this situation, we have options to keep your medical bills from stacking up.
My Virtual Physician offers individual subscription plans with two additional membership levels above the pay-per-visit option. The complete care plan grants you unlimited telemedicine visits with not just your OBGYN, but also your primary care physician. This option is truly unique to My Virtual Physician and we are proud to offer this practical service to our patients. That means you pay a flat subscription rate per month and you could see your online OBGYN (and PCP if available in your state) many times for just $99.
If you just love the freedom and certainty you get from having the complete care plan for yourself, we now have the option to expand it to the ones you love. Our family plan covers your whole family. The basic family rate includes up to two adults and two children for $149/mo and additional children can be added for $10 per child/mo. With the family plan, your whole family can see the doctor as many times as needed for a flat rate. So whether it’s your OBGYN, your children’s pediatrician, or your husband’s primary doctor; My Virtual Physician has you covered.
Although going to the doctor is not usually a very happy time for anyone facing a condition, we love to see your smiling face, and a familiar face is comforting when you are in need. Most of the big-name virtual care websites have countless doctors working for them; which means you’ll be seeing a different face every time you visit. You will also have to rehash your history every time you see a new doctor.
Fortunately, we have a different approach to your virtual care. My Virtual Physician has a small team of board-certified physicians. This means that you will see our same smiles every time you come back. We enjoy seeing your smile and can easily monitor your condition with our virtual tools without wasting appointment time gathering history repetitively.
Times are changing and to take full advantage of your options to see your physician online, it’s important to consider why you would choose one virtual physician company over the rest.
At My Virtual Physician we’ve taken a unique approach towards online healthcare by making regular care affordable and transparent for our patients.
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One in five Americans face poor access to medical care. In some parts of the country, there are serious shortages of doctors and healthcare services. And this is the case for many women living in Georgia.
Georgia has been greatly affected by a nation-wide healthcare shortage. The need for care, specifically women’s healthcare, has increased dramatically over the past decade. Especially in the rural areas outside of major cities, Obstetrical and Gynecological (OB/GYN) services can be hard to find. Fortunately, My Virtual Physician (MVP) has been able to fill the need for some.
Why is there such a need for OB/GYN services in Georgia? And what can be done about the problem? Here's a closer look at the problem.
According to the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce, the state has:
Hence, the lack of doctors is part of the issue. Some women have no choice but to travel to other cities for care. And others even go without.
In many rural areas, there are no OB/GYNs. And in other parts of Georgia, facilities are closing. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, over 100 hospitals have closed during the past decade. Georgia ranked third for most hospitals closed, behind Texas and Tennessee.
To sum it up, a lack of doctors and hospitals is one piece of the puzzle.
Finding a doctor is one problem. But paying for services is another. Many women in Georgia do not have health insurance. Notably, Georgia's insured rate is ranked 48th in the nation.
Another problem is the state's low high school graduation rate. Lack of education is a barrier for access to healthcare. Women struggling with their health may not know where to go for answers.
Speak to one of our board certified OB/GYN virtual doctors today:
Birth control, sexual health, and menopause are sensitive topics. Women need doctors they can trust. OB/GYNs help women through complicated health changes.
OB/GYNs can treat common problems such as:
In addition to new or worrisome symptoms, gynecologists also provide preventative health services.
For example, OB/GYNs encourage women to have breast cancer screenings after age 45 and bone density scans every two years following menopause.
Without regular checkups, women may face major health concerns as time goes on.
Despite the dismal circumstances, care for women in Georgia and other states is changing.
Telemedicine providers offer a new solution. Board-certified OB/GYNs are treating women in Georgia virtually.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), patients can get the same quality care via telemedicine as they would in person. In some cases, patients say their online doctor experience is even better.
Online doctor appointments are affordable and easy to schedule. As well as that, virtual gynecology visits provide a greater sense of safety and security from the comfort of home.
It is getting easier for the women of Georgia to see top-rated doctors for the virtual gynecology care they need. Dr. Howard of MVP treats patients across the U.S., including Georgia. MVP is a multi-state, multi-specialty telemedicine provider that is quickly becoming the preferred choice for many.
Women who want an online gynecology appointment can text the office at 725-228-8277 or visit the patient portal to set up self-scheduled appointments.
My Virtual Physician offers comprehensive virtual gynecology services to address women’s healthcare needs. Our caring doctors can talk with you about your concerns and provide the experience you've been looking for.To talk with one of our expert physicians near you, book an appointment today.
