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 (although COVID 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 is plenty 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 are Wisp and Nurx. 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 or even 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 progesterone known 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.
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Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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Using the same material from the interior of the Volvo EX90, Hudson crafted a wool-blend car coat and waistbelt that combine the vehicle’s Scandinavian design with his signature tailoring and intention. The exclusive collection launched on October 20, and each piece is made-to-order by Sergio Hudson Collections.
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In October, I traveled to Charleston with a group of journalists to get a firsthand look at Hudson and Volvo’s location. During a fitting, Hudson said his goal is to make “great work that can stand the test of time.”
“People can look back on and say, ‘I remember when Sergio did that collaboration with Volvo,’” he continued. “Thinking about aligning yourself with classic brands that speak to where you want to go. And I think that's what this collaboration kind of means to me and my business.”
Hudson pinpoints his mom as the biggest influence for his designs. This collaboration was no different.
“This particular coat reminded me of the swing coats that my mom used to wear in the early 90s. You know, diva girls in the early 90s had Sandra suits,” he said, referring to Jackée Harry’s character in 227. “My mom wore those and she would have these matching swing coats to go over them. And that's where the initial idea came. This would be around the same time that we had our Volvo. So she would put on her suit, her swing coat, get in that red Volvo, and go to church.”
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With this capsule and beyond, Hudson wants to see more staples rotating in and out of closets this fall. He advises fashionistas to build her closet out with essentials to mix and match that aren’t just stylish but also sustainable.
“It's just those special pieces,” he said. “You can wear the same shirt and pants every day and nobody will notice. But if you have a special boot, a special coat, a special bill, a special bag, that kind of speaks to everything that your style stands about, that is something you should focus on.”
These are the same kind of staple pieces that return to our Pinterest boards and TikTok feeds season after season. Fast fashion has never been Hudson’s aim. “I'm trying to create a special pieces that can stand the test of time,” he said in his warm, Southern accent. “I'm only creating those kind of pieces from here on out.”
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For Hudson, this collaboration is revolutionary. It’s his first time working with a car company and experimenting outside of his wheelhouse in this way.
“This is a Scandinavian brand, and, you know, it's 70 years old. I'm an African-American boy from South Carolina that has had a brand for 10 years. So I think bridging those two worlds and seeing the similarities was the beauty of this project,” he explained.
Though Hudson and his partner and CEO of Sergio Hudson Collections Inga Beckham have made massive strides in just 10 years, Hudson said the industry is far from where he wants to see it when it comes to Black representation. He pointed to how few Black designers were at this year’s Met Gala despite the theme being Black dandyism.
“The fact that I dressed 18 people speaks to how many of us weren't there,” he said. He implored more of industries, fashion and beyond, to collaborate with Black designers often.
“Allow mentorship. Allow funding. Allow great design to shine through,” he implored. “When it comes to being a designer of African descent, when you can't get the funding that your counterparts have, you can't compete. When you get opportunities like doing a collaboration with Volvo, or you get opportunities to be at the Met Gala, that's putting us on the equal playing field, but really the funding behind it is what we need to take it to that desk level.”
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