Order prescription treatments at home, at work and on the go.
Men might have a reputation for refusing to go the doctor when they’re feeling unwell, but according to the experts, women can be just as bad when it comes to their health. In a study of 2,000 UK women carried out by the charity Ovarian Cancer Action[1], it was found that a significant number were putting off medical appointments on a regular basis. When quizzed about why, a quarter of the women said that they were reluctant to take time off work, while a third felt that time with their family had to come first.
The truth is that modern women in the UK and around the world have to cope with many different pressures and responsibilities. More women than ever are maintaining successful careers whilst having children; and on top of that, they’re still doing more household chores than men (the average UK woman does 13 hours of housework a week, while the average UK man only 8[2]).
It’s no surprise then, that so many women feel that they just don’t have time to see a doctor. And though this may be fine for minor infections and illnesses, it’s important to understand that early diagnosis is key when it comes to more serious diseases such as ovarian or cervical cancer.
The question is: how can a busy, hard-working woman maintain multiple responsibilities in the workplace and at home without compromising on her health and well-being? The answer may lie in online healthcare.
How does online healthcare work?
Online healthcare services were created to give patients a discreet and convenient option for seeking medical advice outside of the free public services provided by the NHS. They are run entirely over the internet, through specialised online consultations which enable a doctor to assess your medical needs and whether or not you are suitable for prescription treatment.
Treatments offered by these kinds of online clinics are targeted towards non-acute conditions. Common prescription services offered online are routine contraception, erectile dysfunction tablets, hair loss treatment and the morning after pill. Sexual health tests and treatments are also popular.
When making an order from an online healthcare provider, you will normally have to fill out a short medical questionnaire, detailing things like medical history and any current medications. The doctor assesses this and either approves or – if they feel you aren’t suitable for the particular treatment – rejects the order. In the event that you require face-to-face care or emergency treatment, they will advise you on the best course of action, which means from the word go, you’re in very safe hands.
What makes online healthcare so convenient?
There are many reasons why online clinics and pharmacies are a convenient option for busy women.
To begin with, the online consultation typically takes less than 10 minutes, and a doctor will usually be able to approve and process your order within the same day – that means no waiting around for your overdue GP appointment. Secondly, once you’ve registered your details and created a private account, the re-ordering process is even easier.
Most online healthcare providers also make your prescription treatments or tests available through delivery (in discreet packaging), which is perfect for new mums or women who can’t easily get away from home. Certain services such as LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor will also give you the option of collecting from your local store, which is ideal if you need to order something last minute. Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs), however, must be collected in store usually once a year so that the pharmacist can check your blood pressure and BMI. These checks are vital to ensure that the pill is safe for you to take.
Lastly, because these services are available online you can register and make an order using a laptop, phone or tablet no matter where you are. Finally, those bus journeys to work can come in useful!
Which women’s health services are available online?
Most online clinics and pharmacies offer routine contraception, the morning after pill and period delay. LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor also offers prescription facial hair removal cream, antibiotics for the treatment of cystitis, and the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, which helps to protect against cervical cancer. If you want to receive the HPV vaccine, you can make an appointment to receive the injection at your nearest LloydsPharmacy store through the Online Doctor site.
Sexual health tests and treatments are another common feature of online health clinics. Home test kits are a reliable method of screening for sexually transmitted infections, and can be quickly delivered to your home address in unlabelled packaging. Once you have taken a sample (usually a vaginal swab), you can post it back for screening. Online Doctor provides a pre-paid envelope with all home test kits, to streamline the process and remove the need for extra cost and hassle.
Is it safe?
Online services that are run by qualified doctors, regulated by the Care Quality Commission and properly authorised to sell medicines online are perfectly safe to use. However, most patients will end up using these kinds of services in combination with face-to-face medical care.
If you want to know more about the services offered by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, visit our Women’s Health Clinic. Here you can read informative articles written by our clinical team, and learn more about the specific prescription treatments offered.
