Embarrassing conditions

• Can I talk to a doctor on Gotodoctor.ca about my embarrassing conditions?

Yes, Gotodoctor.ca provides virtual care services for embarrassing conditions. A doctor will take a comprehensive history and may provide you with prescriptions. Depending on the condition further recommendations will be provided. If a patient is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease the doctor will direct him/her to clinic treatment.

• What are sexually transmitted diseases and sexual dysfunction?

Sexually transmitted diseases are contagious and infectious. These diseases are spread during unprotected sexual intercourse^[1]. Sexual dysfunction is a condition that presents with painful intercourse and behavioral swings with arousal difficulties^[2-5].

• What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and sexual dysfunction?

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases are discharge from the penis or vagina, constant pain in urinating, rashes on genitals, itchy and discomfort in genital areas, blisters and sores at genitals^[6]. Sexual dysfunction is characterized by erectile dysfunction in males, lack of libido and intense pain during intercourse^[7]. A doctor will be able to diagnose a sexually transmitted disease and sexual dysfunction by identifying characteristic symptoms. Complications associated with the sexually transmitted diseases include infertility and life-threatening conditions such as hepatitis B, AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), miscarriages, inability to conceive, premature births and cancers^[8].

• How are sexually transmitted diseases and sexual dysfunction treated?

A doctor decides on treatment after taking a comprehensive history of the patient. Treatment of STD and sexual dysfunction depends on the underlying cause and investigations such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate through blood sample; to confirm infection, hormonal profile and associated tests should be done to find out the root cause. First of all, life-threatening conditions are excluded by the doctor. Analgesics may be prescribed to make the patient free of pain^[9]. Prescriptions of broad-spectrum antibiotic and anti-viral medications may be provided for the patients suffering from acute infection in sexually transmitted disease^{[10] [11, 12]}. A doctor checks for underlying causes and plans the treatment accordingly. Patient education and counselling in STD also play an important role^[13]. For treatment purpose in sexual dysfunctions therapies, behaviour modification, psychological counselling and medications for erectile dysfunction may be prescribed^[14]. Virtual care services also enable the consultation approach more efficient and timely^[15-17].

• How can an online doctor on Gotodoctor.ca treat sexually transmitted diseases and sexual dysfunction?

Online doctors on Gotodoctor.ca treat sexually transmitted disease and sexual dysfunction through virtual care services. An appointment can be easily made with an online doctor. These embarrassing conditions can be treated via virtual care methods^{[11, 12, 18-24][25]}. An online doctor will take a comprehensive history of your signs and symptoms and may provide you with prescriptions. Prescriptions can be obtained by online doctors. Virtual care services provided by Gotodoctor.ca assure comfort, convenience and a higher level of care for the patient.

References

1. Mellanby, A., et al., Teenagers and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases: a need for the provision of balanced information. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1992. 68(4): p. 241-244.
2. Lewis, R.W., et al., Epidemiology/risk factors of sexual dysfunction. The journal of sexual medicine, 2004. 1(1): p. 35-39.
3. Rock, C.L., et al., Prevention of cervix cancer. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 2000. 33(3): p. 169-185.
4. Pienta, K.J. and P.S. Esper, Risk factors for prostate cancer. Annals of internal medicine, 1993. 118(10): p. 793-803.
5. Hutton, H.E., et al., Depression and HIV risk behaviors among patients in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2004. 161(5): p. 912-914.
6. Siracusano, S., T. Silvestri, and D. Casotto, Sexually transmitted diseases: epidemiological and clinical aspects in adults. Urologia Journal, 2014. 81(4): p. 200-208.
7. McVARY, K., Lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction: epidemiology and pathophysiology. BJU international, 2006. 97: p. 23-28.
8. WHO, O., Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Fact Sheets, 2019.
9. Jones, R.K., et al., Adolescents’ reports of parental knowledge of adolescents’ use of sexual health services and their reactions to mandated parental notification for prescription contraception. Jama, 2005. 293(3): p. 340-348.
10. Lieberman, A., et al., Frequency of prescription filling among adolescents prescribed treatment for sexually transmitted infections in the emergency department. JAMA pediatrics, 2019. 173(7): p. 695-697.
11. Almathami, H.K.Y., K.T. Win, and E. Vlahu-Gjorgievska, Barriers and Facilitators That Influence Telemedicine-Based, Real-Time, Online Consultation at Patients’ Homes: Systematic Literature Review. J Med Internet Res, 2020. 22(2): p. e16407.
12. Deldar, K., K. Bahaadinbeigy, and S.M. Tara, Teleconsultation and Clinical Decision Making: a Systematic Review. Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH, 2016. 24(4): p. 286-292.
13. Benotsch, E.G., et al., Non-medical use of prescription drugs and sexual risk behavior in young adults. Addictive behaviors, 2011. 36(1-2): p. 152-155.
14. Smith, S., V. O’Keane, and R. Murray, Sexual dysfunction in patients taking conventional antipsychotic medication. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2002. 181(1): p. 49-55.
15. Dooley, A.B., N. de la Houssaye, and N. Baum, Use of telemedicine for sexual medicine patients. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 2020.
16. Gras, G., Use of telemedicine in the management of infectious diseases. Medecine et maladies infectieuses, 2018. 48(4): p. 231-237.
17. Coombes, C.E. and M.E. Gregory, The current and future use of telemedicine in infectious diseases practice. Current infectious disease reports, 2019. 21(11): p. 1-10.
18. Gunasekeran, D.V., et al., Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Follow-up for Patients With Abdominal Pain Using Video Consultation (SAVED Study): Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of medical Internet research, 2020. 22(6): p. e17417-e17417.
19. Myers, D.R., et al., Towards remote assessment and screening of acute abdominal pain using only a smartphone with native accelerometers. Scientific Reports, 2017. 7(1): p. 12750.
20. Staub, G., J. Overbeck, and E. Blozik, Teleconsultation in children with abdominal pain: A comparison of physician triage recommendations and an established paediatric telephone triage protocol. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 2013. 13: p. 110.
21. Bokolo Anthony, J., Use of Telemedicine and Virtual Care for Remote Treatment in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Medical Systems, 2020. 44(7): p. 132.
22. Eaton, L.H., et al., Development and implementation of a telehealth-enhanced intervention for pain and symptom management. Contemporary clinical trials, 2014. 38(2): p. 213-220.
23. Wang, X., et al., Impact of Telemedicine on Healthcare Service System Considering Patients’ Choice. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2019. 2019: p. 7642176.
24. Williams, O.E., et al., The use of telemedicine to enhance secondary care: some lessons from the front line. Future healthcare journal, 2017. 4(2): p. 109-114.
25. Vaghef-Davari, F., et al., Approach to Acute Abdominal Pain: Practical Algorithms. Advanced journal of emergency medicine, 2019. 4(2): p. e29-e29.