It’s important to our overall health that we take care of the most intimate parts of ourselves.

By the age of 18, every woman should have a yearly gynaecologist visit, or whenever they may be having concerns. A gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in female reproductive health. They diagnose and treat issues that are related to the female reproductive system, which may include the uterus, ovaries, breast, the menstrual cycle as well as hormone conditions affecting women.

As modern means of health care become more accessible, it is important to understand the ways you can receive treatment for all kinds of illnesses virtually, not just the most common ones. There are many benefits to gaining access to gynaecologist (gynae) care via online platforms such as MDLink. A few of the benefits include:

• Standard obstetrics care — When you are pregnant you will require visits with your obstetrician/gynaecologist (ObGyn) every four weeks. This is to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing in a healthy way without any abnormalities. While your vitals, any discharge you may be having as well as ultrasounds cannot be done via telemedicine, keeping abreast on your pre-natal care such as nutrition, mental health and overall wellness can very easily be done. If you’re unable to make it to the doctor’s office, having a follow-up online can be a useful aid. Your pregnancy develops in stages, and therefore your medical care is time-sensitive. Telemedicine can be a convenient option to take advantage of until you’re able to visit your doctor in person.

• Follow-up care — Telemedicine can be a convenient way for follow-up care after a pap smear, STD test, hormone test, or other lab test requested by your gynae. Your doctor can review results, prescribe medication, and answer any questions or concerns from the comfort of your home or other location with Internet access. Additionally, telemedicine can be used for post-operative check-ins, such as sending photos of wound healing, discussing symptoms, and reviewing the healing process after endometrial surgery, growth removal, or C-section.

• Reproductive and sexual health care — Contraceptives (hormone treatments) and menstrual relief can all be discussed via telemedicine without ever needing to visit the doctor’s office. Various types of contraceptive methods can be discussed with your doctor via telemedicine to determine which is right for you — whether the pill, an IUD, or the injection. You may also discuss with your doctor issues you may be having with your menstrual cycle and get prescribed treatments to help you have a more comfortable cycle, this may include painkillers and muscle relaxers. Your prescription can be sent directly to your pharmacy without you ever having to meet your doctor, additionally, refill prescriptions can be provided when you run out. Moreover, your doctor may discuss other means of protecting your reproductive health such as the HPV vaccine.

• Convenient diagnosis for common, non-emergent illnesses — Urinary tract infections are among the most popular illnesses that can be diagnosed virtually with your gynae. Assessing symptoms that do not need a test to be confirmed can guide you towards a diagnosis online. A course of antibiotics and painkillers, if needed, can be prescribed to you. In addition, if you may have a rash, bump or any other abnormal growth if you are comfortable, this can be preliminarily assessed by your doctor via telemedicine. You can privately send photos or questions to your doctor who can assess if you need a test, such as an STD screening, pap smear or in-person physical assessment.

• Ensured privacy and comfort — With all its benefits for gynaecological care, what is most important is that telemedicine platforms such as MDLink offer safe, encrypted platforms that safeguard your information and only share it with your relevant health-care providers. This ensures that you know that you are not only using telemedicine for convenience but also because it is a safe, trusted means of getting specialist care. Any concerns you may have with this treatment method, your doctor can clear up all through phone, video call or text.

Modern health care is multidimensional, it ensures all your needs can be met in the most convenient, safe and wholesome way. MDLink ensures that whatever your needs may be, in whatever speciality, they are met with the utmost care and value. Our specialists are available 24/7 on MDLink’s platform and are ready and waiting to be at your service. Do not put your health care needs to the side because you cannot find the time, or you are worried about the sensitivity of your diagnosis, telemedicine is there to allow you the choice of communicating with your doctor in the easiest, most suitable ways.

Dr Ché Bowen, a digital health entrepreneur and family physician, is the CEO & founder of MDLink, a digital health company that provides telemedicine options. Check out the company’s website at www.theMDLink.com. You can also contact him at drchebowen@themdlink.com.