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Pelvic pain is a common symptom that can have various underlying causes, ranging from menstrual cramps to more serious conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Consulting with an online Ob/Gyn doctor can offer valuable support and guidance in managing pelvic pain effectively. Here's how:
Scenario 1: Emily sat at her desk, her face creased with worry as she typed into her laptop, seeking answers to the persistent pelvic pain that had plagued her for weeks.
Emily: Typing furiously "Pelvic pain causes..."
After scrolling through various search results, Emily stumbled upon an online Ob/Gyn consultation service. With a glimmer of hope, she clicked the link and scheduled an appointment for a virtual consultation.
The next day, Emily settled into her cozy armchair, laptop open, awaiting her online appointment. A cheerful chime signaled the start of the consultation.
Dr. Hernandez: "Good afternoon, Emily. I'm Dr. Hernandez. How can I assist you today?"
Emily: Rubbing her temples "Hi, Doctor. I've been having this persistent pelvic pain for a while now, and it's really starting to worry me."
Dr. Hernandez: "I understand, Emily. Can you tell me more about your symptoms?"
Emily: Describing her symptoms in detail "It's this dull ache in my lower abdomen, and it comes and goes. Sometimes it's sharp, and I've noticed some changes in my menstrual cycle too."
Dr. Hernandez: "Thank you for sharing that. Have you experienced any other symptoms, like abnormal bleeding or urinary issues?"
Emily: Nodding "Yes, occasionally. But nothing too severe."
Dr. Hernandez: "Based on what you've described, it's important to conduct a thorough assessment. I'd like to recommend some diagnostic tests, including a pelvic ultrasound and blood work, to help determine the underlying cause of your pelvic pain. Does that sound alright with you?"
Emily: Relieved "Yes, that sounds good. Thank you, Doctor."
Scenario 2: Rachel sat in the waiting room of her local gynecologist's office, nervously tapping her foot as she leafed through an outdated magazine.
Receptionist: "Rachel Summers? The doctor will see you now."
Rachel followed the nurse into the examination room, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Dr. Thompson: "Hello, Rachel. I'm Dr. Thompson. What seems to be the problem today?"
Rachel: Fidgeting "Hi, Doctor. I've been having this pelvic pain, and it's been bothering me for a while now."
Dr. Thompson: "Hmm. Can you describe the pain for me? How long have you been experiencing it?"
Rachel: Struggling to articulate her symptoms "It's kind of a dull ache, I guess. It comes and goes. Maybe for a few weeks now?"
Dr. Thompson: "Alright. Let's do a pelvic exam and some basic tests to start."
After a brief examination and some routine tests, Dr. Thompson concluded the appointment.
Dr. Thompson: "Well, Rachel, everything seems fine for now. Keep an eye on your symptoms, and if they persist, come back for a follow-up."
Rachel was about to ask Dr. Thompson another question, but the doctor stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Rachel heard him shout at one of his nurses to be quicker when rooming his next patient.
Rachel left the office feeling uncertain and frustrated, her pelvic pain still unresolved.
In comparing Emily's experience with the online Ob/Gyn to Rachel's experience with the in-person Ob/Gyn, several advantages of seeking help online become evident. Emily was able to schedule her consultation quickly and conveniently, without the long wait times typical of in-person appointments. During her online consultation, Emily had ample time to fully discuss her symptoms with Dr. Hernandez, leading to a comprehensive assessment and appropriate diagnostic recommendations. In contrast, Rachel's in-person appointment felt rushed, and she left feeling uncertain about her next steps.
Additionally, the online consultation provided Emily with a sense of privacy and comfort, allowing her to discuss sensitive issues like pelvic pain from the comfort of her own home. Overall, Emily's experience highlights the benefits of seeking help from an online Ob/Gyn for pelvic pain, including convenience, accessibility, personalized care, and comprehensive assessment. Therefore, individuals experiencing pelvic pain should consider opting for an online doctor as the first step in seeking evaluation and treatment, as it can lead to better outcomes and a more satisfactory healthcare experience.
The absence of menstrual periods, known as amenorrhea, can be a cause for concern and may indicate underlying health issues. Consulting with an online Ob/Gyn doctor can offer valuable insights and assistance in addressing this condition.
But why opt for an online doctor over an in-person visit?
Consider the two following scenarios:
Scenario 1: Sarah, a 32-year-old woman, noticed that her menstrual periods had become irregular over the past few months, eventually leading to a complete absence of menstruation for the past three months. Concerned about her health, she decided to seek help from an online Ob/Gyn. During her virtual consultation, Sarah discussed her medical history, lifestyle factors, and the timeline of her menstrual irregularities in detail with the online doctor.
The online Ob/Gyn conducted a comprehensive assessment, asking Sarah about any associated symptoms, such as changes in weight, mood swings, or hot flashes. Based on her history, the doctor recommended diagnostic tests, including hormone assessments and thyroid function tests, to identify potential causes of her missed periods. Sarah was able to schedule these tests conveniently at a local laboratory and share the results with the online doctor.
Following the diagnostic evaluation, the online Ob/Gyn developed a personalized treatment plan tailored to Sarah's specific needs. This included lifestyle modifications, such as stress reduction techniques and dietary changes, as well as hormone therapy to regulate her menstrual cycle. Sarah appreciated the convenience of virtual follow-up appointments, where she could easily discuss her progress, ask questions, and adjust her treatment plan as needed without the hassle of scheduling in-person visits.
Scenario 2: Emily, also a 32-year-old woman, experienced similar menstrual irregularities and sought help from an in-person Ob/Gyn. After scheduling an appointment, she had to wait several weeks for an available slot, during which time her anxiety about her condition grew. When Emily finally met with the in-person doctor, she felt rushed during the appointment due to the doctor's busy schedule and limited time.
During the consultation, Emily provided her medical history and described her symptoms to the in-person Ob/Gyn. The doctor conducted a pelvic exam and recommended some basic blood tests but did not offer as detailed an assessment as Sarah experienced in her online consultation. Emily left the appointment feeling uncertain about her diagnosis and treatment plan.
Following the initial appointment, Emily had to wait several more weeks for the results of her tests and schedule a follow-up visit with the in-person Ob/Gyn. She found it challenging to coordinate her schedule with the doctor's availability and felt frustrated by the delays in receiving care.
In comparing Sarah's experience with the online Ob/Gyn to Emily's experience with the in-person Ob/Gyn, several key differences emerge. Sarah benefited from the convenience, timeliness, and accessibility of virtual consultations, allowing her to receive prompt evaluation and personalized treatment without the delays and scheduling difficulties associated with in-person visits.
The online Ob/Gyn provided a comprehensive assessment, recommended appropriate diagnostic tests, and developed a tailored treatment plan for Sarah's condition. With virtual follow-up appointments, Sarah could easily monitor her progress and adjust her treatment as needed, leading to better outcomes and a more positive overall experience.
Given the advantages of online consultations, individuals experiencing missed or absent periods should consider seeking help from an online Ob/Gyn first. By doing so, they can expedite the process of diagnosis and treatment, leading to better outcomes and improved reproductive health.
Heavy periods, medically known as menorrhagia, can significantly impact a woman's quality of life, causing discomfort, fatigue, and even anemia. But booking an appointment with a medical professional can be a lengthy process, as many Ob/Gyn physicians have full schedules.
For many people who are burdened with heavy periods, seeking help from a medical professional via telemed services can provide a fast, convenient, and effective solution– more importantly, it can even save you from the extra cost of seeing a doctor in person altogether.
Why Choose Online Help First?
Specifically, How Can an Online Ob/Gyn Help with Heavy Periods?
In sum, seeking help from an online Ob/Gyn doctor for heavy periods offers convenience, accessibility, and personalized care. By addressing your concerns virtually first, you can expedite the process of finding relief and managing your menstrual health effectively.
Smoking is bad for anyone, pregnant or not. However, if you smoke, you should quit once you become pregnant or find out you are pregnant.
There is no "safe" level of smoking during pregnancy. Cigarettes contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxins that affect your and your baby's health when inhaled. When you smoke during pregnancy, you:
Secondhand smoking happens when you inhale smoke from a burning cigarette and smoke exhaled by a smoker. Secondhand smoking, also known as passive smoking, is more harmful than smoking itself. The reason is that the smoke from the end of the cigarette or exhaled by the smoker contains more harmful poisons than the smoke inhaled by the smoker.
If you are exposed to secondhand smoke, you and your baby are at risk of health complications before, during, and after your baby is born. These include low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital disabilities, respiratory problems, allergies, ear infections, and many others.
When pregnant and after childbirth, don't let anyone smoke in your house, car, or anywhere around you. Also, avoid going to places where people smoke.
If you are finding it hard to quit smoking, you can talk to us at My Virtual Physician or your health care provider. We will provide information about smoking cessation programs that can help you.
You may also want to put the following measures in place:
Nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes that your body gets used to. When you quit smoking, you may manifest withdrawal symptoms. These include:
Withdrawal symptoms are often transient. They are strongest during the first week after quitting and go away within two weeks. It may, however, last for a month or a few more for some people.
Dealing with withdrawal symptoms requires discipline, and you can get all the support you need. You can try the following to help you:
You may experience frequent urges to smoke even after quitting, and the withdrawal symptoms disappear. Don't give in to the cravings. They are short-lived and will go away on their own.
If you relapse into smoking after quitting, don't lose hope. Quit again.
A visit to us helps you get your prenatal care started while you await your appointment with your local OB doctor. Your virtual physician can help to electronically order prenatal care labs and/or send an order to the nearest radiology facility for you to get an ultrasound.
At My Virtual Physician, we are available to help guide you through your pregnancy and answer any questions that may arise. We are in network with many insurance health plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, United HealthCare, and Blue Cross.
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Healthcare delivery in recent times has become safer and more convenient with the advent of telemedicine. However, the success of telehealth may be shaky because of increased security and privacy risks associated with it.
In this post, we will discuss the possible cybersecurity risks associated with telemedicine and what telemedicine companies, particularly My Virtual Physician, are doing to ensure you and your information are safe.
Despite its numerous benefits, telemedicine has been associated with both security and privacy risks outlined below.
Digital and monitoring devices are the mainstays of telemedicine. While these devices are necessary to monitor the patient's health in real-time and ensure the patient's safety, the information generated, saved, and transmitted is not often secure.
Also, there are certain non-medical data about the patient, their home, and other activities that these devices and sensors pick and transmit that the patient would have rather kept private. However, aside from healthcare providers, this information can be stored in the device by the manufacturers. Hence, increasing the risk of the information being sold to third parties or used for other reasons such as research, target advertising, and medical fraud.
Furthermore, while privacy policies are provided, most patients give consent without reading or fully understanding them. Hence, the weak privacy protections.
The HIPAA privacy rule is established to ensure the privacy of individuals' protected health information (PHI) and sets the limits or conditions through which that information can be used or disclosed without the individual's authorization.
The pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp rise in telemedicine. According to the CDC, "the number of telehealth visits increased by 50%, compared with the same period in 2019, with a 154% increase in telehealth visits during the last week of March 2020, compared with the same period in 2019".
Consequently, telehealth platforms and apps were developed rapidly within short periods, resulting in many being HIPAA non-compliant. This led to an increased risk of patients' data being accessed by, sold to, or used by third parties indiscriminately.
Most healthcare professionals and providers working from home are permitted and use their personal devices (cell phones, tablets, and computers) for work purposes. Although these devices only access healthcare systems and patient records through a VPN, the risk of data breaches remains high.
Protected health information (PHI) can be saved on and retrieved from these devices if stolen or misplaced. Also, health systems could be hacked into due to inconsistencies in security updates, insecure connections, malware, and user errors, among others.
There is an increase in the number of people working remotely.
A lot of organizations now have their employees working from home. This implies the number of people accessing the network remotely will increase, making it difficult to keep track of users and security measures. Overcrowded networks make it easy for fraudulent or unauthorized users to access healthcare systems and steal patients' information.
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Telehealth companies and healthcare facilities are required to help keep patients' data safe and confident. To do so, below are measures that should be considered:
By strong authentication, we mean the telemedicine platform provides the means to authenticate each party before they can access any confidential information.
This may include logging in with unique usernames, strong and complex passwords, biometrics, as well as provisional two or multi-factor authentication.
This is important to ensure privacy and security.
End-to-end encryption means that only the healthcare provider and the patient are parties to the communication. Once it is implemented, unauthorized persons are not able to listen to or gain access to information exchanged between the two parties, including data sent via mail or cloud.
This applies to both healthcare providers and patients. Digital devices should have the most up-to-date operating system, applications, and firmware. They should avoid connecting to public WiFi when sending information.
If personal devices are being used, healthcare professionals and providers should ensure patients' information is not stored on devices and that those devices can be remotely cleaned if the need arises.
At My Virtual Physician, we are concerned with ensuring the security and privacy of our clients. You may read through our privacy policy and terms of use to get familiar with our platform.
As a telehealth platform, a visit to us helps you get your prenatal care started while you await your appointment with your local OB doctor.
More so, we are available to help guide you through your pregnancy and answer any questions that may arise. We are in network with many insurance health plans including Medicaid, Medicare, United HealthCare, and Blue Cross.
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Before the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities were already met with a shortage of human and material resources to provide care. With four million women seeking prenatal care annually in the United States, the healthcare system without adequate resources is bound to experience huge gaps in the access and delivery of prenatal care.
One of these gaps includes delays in accessing healthcare. In many parts of the country, it can take a woman about 5 to 6 weeks or more to get into an OB doctor's office to start prenatal care. Ultimately, it becomes almost impossible for both women and healthcare providers to have the recommended number of office-based visits, that is 12 to 14 visits for low-risk pregnancies.
These delays in accessing prenatal increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, worse outcomes have been predicted due to reduced availability and accessibility of healthcare across the country and globally.
Consequently, telemedicine as a complementary model of healthcare delivery is the life-saver. However, while telemedicine may be the way forward to bridge the gaps, can every patient benefit optimally from it?
Online doctors have been shown to play an important role in the delivery of care during this pandemic. However, there are pregnant women who for several reasons will not be able to access, utilize, and invariably benefit from telemedicine. These include women from low-income earning families, those living in rural areas, women with no or poor educational background, and women living with disabilities, amongst others.
Telemedicine requires the use of digital devices, wireless network services, and certain costs to be efficient. The following affect the use and positive outcome of telemedicine:
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Approximately 85% of Americans have access to a smartphone. However, disparities remain among low-income and low-education populations. According to a study, 26% of the more than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries living in communities lacked access to a computer with high-speed internet or a smartphone with a wireless data plan.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 21 million Americans lack high-speed internet access, especially those living in rural areas. It doesn’t help that other studies state that the number is way higher, estimating it to be 42 million people. This goes to say that poor network service and wireless signal coverage can worsen health disparities.
While telemedicine may significantly save costs from traveling, lost work hours, babysitting, etc., it does not eliminate certain arising costs. Pregnant women from low-income households may be faced with financial difficulties in buying a smartphone or tablet as well as connection plans.
While some people may lack knowledge and skills on how to operate cellphone, telemedicine apps and software may pose more problems. Several apps from different healthcare facilities implies different instructions for booking and having virtual appointments. Pregnant women with poor technological literacy about ICT may not enjoy digital prenatal care as well as a positive patient and physician experience.
Telemedicine, particularly video-related visits can widen the gap that telemedicine aims to bridge in prenatal care. Healthcare professionals, community stakeholders, and the U.S. government should ensure that interventions are put in place to prevent worse outcomes.
Some clear-cut recommendations include:
At My Virtual Physician, we are concerned with bridging the gaps in healthcare delivery. A visit to us helps you get your prenatal care started while you await your appointment with your local OB doctor.
More so, our software is easy to understand and use. We are available to help guide you through your pregnancy and answer any questions that may arise. We are in network with many insurance health plans including Medicaid, Medicare, United HealthCare, and Blue Cross.
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Many women enjoy the feel of soft-shaven skin. But the red, itchy patches that come after can be a real pain. Razor bumps in sensitive areas like the bikini line are annoying. So how can men and women deal with razor bumps down there?
Razor bumps, technically called pseudofolliculitis barbae, are a common skin complaint. Fortunately, they are preventable to some degree. By protecting skin before, during, and after hair removal, men and women can minimize the effects of razor bumps.
If you're wondering how to save your skin, check out these tips to steer clear of painful razor bumps.
Razor bumps are an uncomfortable sign of skin irritation. For those who already have them, the first step is to keep them from getting worse.
A compress made with salt water can also help soothe the skin. Saltwater cleans and heals the skin by osmosis. To make a "saline soak" at home:
Consider adding a couple of drops of an essential oil, like tea tree oil, to the saline solution for more relief.
When bumps don't go away or become more painful, it may be best to see a doctor.
A physician can tell if the problem is razor bumps or may be something else. Some doctors use antibiotic gels, steroids, or retinoids to treat severe cases.
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to razor bumps, it's very true.
Here's how you can lower your risk of getting razor bumps from shaving.
Find more tips on how to prevent razor bumps here.
Taking care of skin before, during, and after hair removal can go a long way in preventing razor bumps.
If you've tried to treat pseudofolliculitis barbae yourself but find the situation getting worse, it may be time to check with a doctor.
Are you looking for a doctor near you to treat your sensitive issues? My Virtual Physician has board-certified physicians who can address gynecological and primary care problems via video visits.
If you would like to talk with a board-certified doctor, you can schedule your appointment online now. My Virtual Physician offers health screening, lab tests, and counseling to meet all of your healthcare needs.
Women looking for a great Obstetrics and Gynecology provider (OB/GYN) in Las Vegas, Nevada, may have trouble. There is an OB/GYN physician shortage in Las Vegas. And the situation is getting worse.
Factors such as physician burnout, population growth, and competition from other parts of the country have created a shortage of OB/GYNs in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a result, some may have difficulty finding the perfect provider to care for their reproductive health.
Women and their partners want an OB/GYN they can trust. Issues like birth control, childbirth, and menopause are delicate matters. Unfortunately, a shortage means there are not enough providers to meet Las Vegas’ needs. Thus, those doctors who are available may be overworked or stretched thin.
Here is why it’s hard to find a good OB/GYN in Las Vegas and what to do about it.
When there are too few doctors to meet a city's demands, it can be hard to find a provider to respond to each patient’s needs. According to NBC News, America is facing an OB/GYN shortage.
Las Vegas, overall, has the most severe OB/GYN workforce shortage.
Other parts of Nevada face an even more serious situation. Some counties lack even one OB/GYN provider. Hence, patients face delays in care. In some cases they are forced to look far away to find a doctor.
Here’s why it is hard to find OB/GYN care in Las Vegas.
And while Las Vegas OB/GYNs may have it rough, the patients suffer too.
OB/GYNs offer services that women need. They provide health counseling, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and more. From puberty to menopause, women need a health expert they can trust. Many patients depend on OB/GYN advice.
Fortunately, Las Vegas residents can now find the best OB/GYNs, right in their neighborhood.
My Virtual Physician has an answer for the physician shortage crisis. Two of the best board-certified OB/GYNs in the nation are on staff and available for appointments near you in Las Vegas.
My Virtual Physician offers OB/GYN visits in Las Vegas with flexible scheduling through telemedicine. While most providers are busy and feel the pressure to treat many patients quickly, My Virtual Physician is different. Online video visits eliminate travel time and the feel of a busy waiting room. Virtual consultations provide a relaxed, personalized, and patient-centered care experience.
During the pandemic, many patients have had questions about staying safe. Some want to know if vaccination is right for them. Women in Las Vegas can now book a visit with My Virtual Physician to discuss their concerns and get real medical advice. Booking an appointment with an OB/GYN in Las Vegas has never been easier.
Are you looking for an OBGYN near you in Las Vegas? My Virtual Physician has two board-certified physicians licensed in Nevada who can address gynecological problems via video visits.
If you would like to talk with a board-certified OB/GYN, you can schedule your appointment online now. My Virtual Physician offers health screening, lab tests, and counseling to meet all of your healthcare needs.
Stefanie:
Welcome, everyone! Thank you for joining us today.
My name is Stefanie and I'm part of the team here at MyVirtualPhysician. We are a direct to consumer, multi-specialty, telemedicine provider operating in multiple states.
Welcome to Talk Tuesday. We are continuing our weekly educational series, talking with our expert physicians, exploring some common healthcare concerns, and hopefully answering some questions you may have.
Today our physician expert is Dr. Salome Masghati, a practicing gynecologist and minimally invasive surgeon who is one of our telemedicine providers. We are talking about a complaint our doctors commonly see or treat, and that is URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS or UTIs.
Dr. Masghati, thank you for joining us today.
Stefanie:
So let’s cut to the chase Dr. Masghati, can cranberries cure a UTI?
Dr. Salome Masghati:
Many people believe that cranberries or cranberry juice can treat a UTI, and the answer is it's complicated.
There have been many studies on cranberries as a UTI treatment, and research has shown that an active ingredient in cranberries called “proanthocyanidins,” or PCAs for short, is effective in preventing E. Coli bacteria, the most common cause of UTI infections, from attaching to the bladder wall lining and colonizing or creating an infection.
So PCAs or cranberries may help prevent a urinary tract infection but once there is already an infection, that treatment may not be effective.
A cup of cranberry juice may only contain a small amount of this active ingredient with a lot of sugar! Cranberry tablets or pills may be another option for prevention.
Stefanie:
So if someone wants to try cranberry juice for prevention of a UTI, how much should you drink?
Dr. Masghati:
A recent article in Pharmacy Today recommends at least 36 mg of PAC daily.
For the prevention of UTIs, 300–500 mL of cranberry juice cocktail (26% cranberry juice) daily and 400–800 mg cranberry extract twice daily.
Or 36–72 mg of cranberry PAC equivalents per day, found in about 360–720 mg of cranberry extract, has been shown to be effective.2
The research shows some evidence that cranberry products may reduce the incidence of UTIs but the most effective amount and concentration of PACs that must be consumed and how long they should be taken are unknown.
Stefanie:
So cranberry juice and cranberry extract tablets together may help prevent infections but what about someone who already has a UTI?
Dr. Masghati:
Truly if someone has an infection, either their body will be able to fight off the infection, or they may need an antibiotic medication to kill the bacteria that is causing the infection.
Stefanie:
That’s interesting, so you say in some cases a UTI can go away on its own because the body is able to fight off the infection?
Dr. Masghati:
Yes, in some cases. Approximately 25-42% of the time these uncomplicated UTIs may resolve without any medical treatment.
Stefanie:
Ok, so when would it be time for someone to see a doctor about their UTI?
Dr. Masghati:
Untreated infections can spread and become serious. You should talk to your doctor as soon as you suspect a UTI.
Also for signs such as fever, chills, flank pain, or abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting. These can be signs of a serious infection.
Stefanie:
For someone who is going to make an appointment but has not yet, is there anything that they can do to manage the UTI?
Dr. Masghati:
There are some things you can do for relief, or even after you have seen your doctor while you are waiting for an antibiotic to work.
It is important to stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water flushes out the bladder.
When going to the bathroom it is important to try to empty the bladder completely. Some adults with UTI have a frequent urge to urinate or sensation of pressure in the low abdomen which can make it feel as though you need to urinate. Going to the bathroom frequently to empty the bladder can help.
If there is pain in the low abdomen a heating pad may provide some relief.
Over the counter pain relievers such as Motrin or Tylenol can also be taken to help with discomfort.
Stefanie:
Dr. Masghati you have shared some great information today. I appreciate you joining us for Talk Tuesday and helping us understand more about UTIs and cranberry juice. For everyone else joining us as well, this has been Talk Tuesday with MyVirtualPhysician. If you would like to connect with one of our board certified OB/GYNs, or for more information you can check out our website at www.myvirtualphysician.com. We look forward to seeing you again and we hope you have a great week.
