Although telehealth has been around for many years at this point, I don’t think anyone would be surprised to hear that it saw a serious uptick during the pandemic. Since everyone was on lockdown for several months, going the online route was a very practical, effective, and convenient way to get certain healthcare needs met.
Fast forward to now, when we’re back in these streets (althoughCOVID is still a real health concern; we need not forget that), even if telehealth is not quite as popular as it was in, say,2020, there isplenty of data out here to support that it’s not going anywhere any time soon. Some research suggests that telehealth is easier (for those who have online service), less expensive, and, quite frankly, the preferred route to take for those who aren’t exactly thrilled at the thought of going to a doctor’s office (even if it’s just due to all of the waiting that is typically involved).
That said, while it would be irresponsible as hell to make a blanket statement that telehealth should replace traditional physician visits, there are certain things that health-related online services can be used for — one of them is getting birth control.
If that’s something you’ve never really considered before yet, now that I’ve mentioned it you’re interested, before hitting an online company up and making a purchase, please make sure to read this article in its entirety first. Just so you’ll know what you’re (potentially) getting yourself into.
Thoroughly Research the Company
GiphyProbably now, more than ever, there are all kinds of online companies that can get you the kind of birth control that you want or need. The ones that I can personally vouch for areWisp andNurx. To be perfectly honest, I’ve never gotten a birth control prescription from Wisp; I use them because I have a fungal sensitivity, and so when a yeast infection arises, it’s easier (quicker and cheaper) to get a Diflucan prescription that way. As far as Nurx goes, chile, this damn latter stage of perimenopause is a true mutha; and so, I have gotten on mini-pills to lighten my periods and lessen them as I head towards menopause (even though, who knows how long that will officially take. SMDH).
The thing that I like about both of these companies is they have doctors on staff who you can have direct conversations with; ones who won’t just give you medication because you asked for it but will have thorough conversations with you and discuss your options before proceeding forward. Wisp, I have had a membership with for years now. Nurx is a relatively new thing; however, I have not one regret (at least thus far).
Anyway, those are the two that I know something personal about. If you want to research other similar companies, check out Healthline’s “8 Best Services to Order Birth Control Online in 2024” and Verywell Health’s “Our 7 Picks for Where to Get Online Birth Control” to see what may be the best fit for you personally.
Then Read Up on Various Birth Control Options
GiphyLike pretty much everything else in life, birth control has made quite a bit of progress as far as options are concerned. For instance, say that you want to get on birth control, and yet you’re concerned about some of the risks that come with taking an estrogen-based pill oreven a combination of estrogen and progesterone (because taking estrogen does come with some potential side effects and health risks). These days, there are also pills that are made up of a synthetic form of progesteroneknown as progestin.
Some people are fans of this option because it can reduce PMS symptoms and decrease the amount of bleeding that you may have during your cycle (some folks don’t have a period at all after several months of using this pill), and it also prevents pregnancy. Another reason why progestin-only pills are gaining fans is some other benefits include less perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms, a lower cancer risk and it can slow down bone loss (which is sometimes associated with aging) too.
That’s not to say that it doesn’t come with its own risks (like you could end up with irregular bleeding or spotting for months on end; everyone’s body is different); that’s why it’s always important to do as much research as you can on different birth control options that are available — not just when it comes to birth control pills either. These days,there are all kinds of other routes that you can take, including injections, vaginal rings, and emergency contraception…and that’s just for starters!
Get Your Blood Pressure Checked
GiphyWithout a doubt, one of the best things about seeing your own doctor (in person) before getting on birth control is they can give you a thorough physical, which may include checking your hormone levels before recommending a particular type of birth control method; this won’t happen with telehealth. To be thorough on this, if you don’t currently have your own healthcare provider, you are not insured, or there is some other reason why you can’t see a doctor personally, there are clinics that can give you a physical for a flat fee; some that will even do hormone-related tests (especially women-based clinics).
Whatever you decide to do, it is important for you to know that pretty much any online company is going to ask you to give a recent reading of your blood pressure. Why? Say that you decide to go with a birth control option that does have estrogen in it. Did you know that one of its side effects is it could increase your blood pressure? If that happens, does that increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke? So, if you do decide to use a telehealth option, be prepared for the fact that, as they go through your medical history, I can almost guarantee that they are going to ask you for a very recent blood pressure reading. And please don’t lie to them; it literally could put your life at risk.
Read the Fine Print
GiphySomething that’s cool about companies like Nurx is the fact that birth control is not the only thing that they have available.They also feature medical experts who can prescribe medications for acne, mental health issues, genital herpes, and HIV prep. That’s dope, for sure — it’s still a business, though, so you need to make sure that you read as much fine print about it as possible. You definitely need to check up on what services they provide, what the potential side effects and health risks may be, and, 1000 percent,what their billing practices are. And, just to be real, it can never hurt to run the company you’re considering through the Better Business Bureau’s website.
For instance,Nurx actually has some (let’s go with "colorful") reviews on there, even though many health-based sites do sing its praises. Like I said, although I’m only a few months into using them, I’ve had a great experience. Again, everyone’s different, and so are our expectations — so find out what you’re getting into, as much as possible, before (pardon the pun) getting into bed with any online birth control company.
See What Your Insurance Is On
GiphyHealth insurance companies are “in our uterus” more than they’ve ever been before. Take me, for example. I haven’t been on a form of birth control since I was in my 20s and even though I am (hopefully) close to winding down on the period tip, 1) my prescription isn’t cheap (AT ALL) and 2) I’m getting a bit creative with the birth control packs to make my cycles more bearable. For both of these reasons, when the medical professional at Nurx initially tried to get my insurance company to approve the prescription, my insurance provider had all types of questions and actually considered denying me.
Then, when it came time for a refill, we weren’t sure how it was going to go because my company was trying to get just what I was attempting to do (chile). All that to say, having insurance can be a beautiful thing; still, when it comes to telehealth, you’ve got to make sure that they and your insurance company are able to work together. Also, you’ve got to be prepared that your insurance may come at you with some “hold up…now what are you trying to do?” questions — and if you can’t give them answers that they are cool with, you could end up with some out-of-pocket expenses…yes, even if you are insured (some telehealth companies offer coupons, so be sure to ask about those too).
Make Your Health Care Provider Aware of Your Decision
GiphyFor me, getting birth control online has been pretty smooth sailing. I do still have a healthcare practitioner, though and no one can take her place. So, why did I decide to go with online assistance? My healthcare provider is oftentimes booked months in advance, and the co-pay doesn’t always make sense in comparison to what I pay to get basic services met online. Plus, I don’t have any major health issues. That doesn’t mean I’m not aware that she needs to be kept abreast of what I’m doing — and the same thing applies to you and your provider as well.
Because, although telehealth can make life easier, your health is nothing to play with. And that’s why the individual who is personally invested in your health and well-being needs to know about the decisions that you’re making. Since they know your family medical history, and your own health history, and they’ve been trained to consider potential risks and red flags that you may not even think to consider, leaving them in the dark doesn’t do you a bit of good. Please always keep that in mind.
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In dozens of different ways, the Internet is designed to make things more convenient. Just make sure that, when it comes to things like online birth control, you know as much as possible about what you’re getting into. Your health is precious. Knowledge is power. When it comes to something like getting birth control, you’ve got to keep both of those points in mind. On so many levels, your well-being depends on it, sis.
Featured image by Mindful Media/Getty Images
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For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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