Your sexual health is important, but some people put it on the backburner. Whether they’re embarrassed or unaware of how common certain conditions are, it’s all too easy to ignore your sexual health. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself on sensitive health topics like STIs. You should also know what options are available to you for testing and treatment.
There was once a time when medicine could only be practiced in a doctor’s office or hospital. That’s not the case anymore. Thanks to advancements in technology, you don’t have to leave your home to maintain good health. Do you need to be tested for STIs? Do you need help creating a sensitive diagnosis? In this article, we discuss six ways you can address a sensitive diagnosis and maintain your privacy:
1. Get Tested at Home
Speaking of at-home options, you can even be tested for sexual health conditions from the comfort of your own home. You may need to get tested for chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, a urinary tract infection, or another condition. These at-home tests are great options for receiving a sensitive diagnosis.
Instead of visiting a doctor’s office, these kits are delivered directly to your front door. For privacy reasons, they usually come in discreet packaging so you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing your delivery.
Some tests will have you prick your finger, and others require a vaginal swab. Either way, once you have your sample, you simply send it back via mail and wait for your results. How long you wait varies, but most companies are able to provide results securely online in a matter of days. If your test results come back positive, you’ll be connected with a physician in your state who can treat you.
2. Receive Treatment at Home
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection or STI, you don’t have to leave your house to find treatment. These days, companies and pharmacies are equipped to deliver prescriptions and medication directly to an individual’s door.
If you don’t want to visit a pharmacy in person, call your pharmacist and see if delivery is an option. According to a survey from One Research, 94% of home delivery users were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their prescription delivery. The survey also charted the top benefits of prescription home delivery. Seventy percent of respondents said convenience mattered, and 66% said free delivery was what they valued most.
This option removes any potential embarrassment you might experience having to pick up your prescriptions in public. With this safe transaction, you can get even genital herpes treatment brought to your door both discreetly and securely.
3. Schedule Telehealth Appointments
With social distancing mandates in full force, many doctors and patients turned to telehealth appointments during the pandemic. What’s telehealth, you ask? To put it simply, it’s when doctors provide health care to their patients completely online. For example, talking to your doctor over the phone is an example of telehealth medicine.
Telehealth medicine was around long before the pandemic, but it’s become increasingly more popular over recent years. According to the CDC, in 2020, the number of telehealth visits increased from 68% in January 2020 to 73% in March. While the world might slowly be going back to normal, telemedicine remains popular due to its convenience and discreteness.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition you’d rather keep private, telemedicine might be a good option for you. Instead of leaving your house for a doctor’s office, you can manage your condition privately from the comfort of your own home. With that said, depending on the diagnosis, you might need to visit your doctor in person. Doctors work hard to keep your information secure so you don’t have to worry about it falling into the wrong hands.
4. Visit a Local Clinic
While you might not feel comfortable visiting your primary physician, you can stay somewhat anonymous at a local clinic. Some clinics even offer free sexual health testing, so you don’t have to worry about your insurance getting involved.
There are several clinics across the United States. Chances are, there’s a local clinic near your house. Planned Parenthood is a good option for receiving low- or no-cost confidential testing. Regardless of where you choose, make sure you do your research prior to walking in. You want to be sure the staff diagnoses and treats your specific condition.
5. Protect Other People
If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexual health issue, you should abstain from all sexual contact. The truth is, most sexually transmitted infections can be easily passed. Some are spread through sexual contact, and some can be spread through nonsexual contact (through blood, for example).
According to the World Health Organization, over one million STIs are acquired every single day worldwide. To keep others healthy, make sure you’re being safe when spending time with your friends, family members, and partners. If you need advice on how to protect yourself and others, talk to your doctor.
6. Be Proactive About Your Health
The only way to keep yourself healthy is to monitor your own symptoms. While doctors can provide helpful insight, you need to be your own advocate. In other words, you need to monitor your symptoms, schedule your own appointments, and ensure you’re taking your medications.
This is especially true if you’ve been diagnosed with a sensitive condition. You may not want to spend too much time at a doctor’s office. The more proactive you are, the easier it will be to find treatment and get back on the road to good health.
As you can see, there are several options when it comes to being tested and treated for a sensitive diagnosis. With that said, STIs are incredibly common in both men and women. In fact, there are over 20 million cases reported every single year. While you might be embarrassed to get diagnosed, you shouldn’t be — because you’re not alone.
Read Also:
