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 (althoughCOVID 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 isplenty 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 areWisp andNurx. 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 oreven 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 progesteroneknown 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.
Featured image by Mindful Media/Getty Images
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While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
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The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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Now, while it’s another message for another time that if this type of sex-related craving feels impulsive or out of one’s control, it could be a sign of someone who is leaning into some level of sex addiction; however, that is not what we’re going to unpack today. Today, we’re going to look into what could be going on with you if it seems like, lately, you’ve been having a greater desire for sex, and you can’t quite pinpoint why.
Because, just like, say, a craving for a particular type of food oftentimes reveals something that is going on with you physically or mentally — sex cravings tend to bring certain things to light in those same areas, too.
Let’s dig in…
Hormonal Shifts
GiphyAlthough I don’t have social media accounts, I do tiptoe out there to see what’s going on — and boy, do I roll my eyes whenever I hear folks act like being over 40 is old. SMDH. It’s especially annoying when I hear about it in the context of sex because, believe it or not, there are a lot of late perimenopausal and menopausal women who are “gettin’ theirs” more than some of these 20 and 30-year-olds are (just ask them).
One reason is that the fear of experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, for many, is now in their rearview mirror. Another is because some are taking a form of hormone therapy to treat the changes that their system is going through — and when you’re getting more estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone into your body (in order to level things out) — HUNNAY.
For other women, even consuming phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen) like peaches, garlic, berries, spinach, and cabbage can make them want sex more than when those aren’t a part of their diet. Bottom line here, a shift in your sexual hormones can definitely cause you to desire sex more than you have before (or have in a while).
Ovulation
GiphyBack when I was a teen mom director for the local chapter of a national non-profit, something that I used to tell “my daughters” all of the time is when you know that you’re ovulating, that’s when you need to be hypervigilant about using wisdom when it comes to the sex-related decisions that you make. I’m thinking that most of you get why: your body was designed to feel its horniest when you’re able to get pregnant — and that is during your time of ovulation.
That’s why it really is a good idea to keep up with your cycle and, if a baby is not something that is on your priority list right now, you either avoid having sex during that time of the month or make sure to use some form of birth control. Chile, even women with low libidos can find themselves wanting to hang off of a chandelier or two when they are ovulating. It’s nature’s way.
A Healthy Diet
GiphyIf you happen to be someone with a sluggish sex drive and you know that you spend most of your time in a drive-thru, there is probably a direct correlation there. No joke. There is plenty of research out in cyberspace to support the fact that a wack diet and low sex drive have a lot in common. While processed foods and unhealthy fats can throw your (sex) hormones off, foods that are filled with zinc, vitamins B12 and D, and iron can ramp up your desire for intimacy.
This is why many people who decide to make a lifestyle change as far as their eating habits are concerned are oftentimes surprised by how much sex is on their minds and how much easier it is for them to orgasm because of it. While a part of it can be due to a boost in their sexual confidence, a lot of it has to do with consuming foods that will literally feed their libido (in a healthy way).
More Exercise
GiphyPlainly put, exercise makes you hornier. Not only does it boost your testosterone levels, (consistently) working out also lowers your stress levels and gives you a boost in the self-esteem department. On top of that, exercise makes you more flexible, builds up endurance, and increases blood circulation which can turn around and intensify your climaxes as a direct result. In fact, this is oftentimes why people will want to have sex right after a workout session.
While we’re here, let me also share that too much of a good thing can end up being counterproductive. What I mean by that is, that although it is wise to exercise on a regular basis, make sure to not overdo it. Something known as overtraining syndrome can result in fatigue, insomnia, and irritability; no one can really have amazing sex when all of that is going on.
Being a Certain Age
GiphyWhile it used to be said that the sexual peak for men is in their teens and for women, it’s in their 30s (some believe it’s because after 35, it’s more challenging for women to get pregnant and so our biological clock plays a role in it all), some research believes that coming to that conclusion isn’t fair because aging affects people differently. For instance, while on one hand, people in their 40s tend to see a dip in their sex hormones, as we’ve already discussed, hormone therapy (for both men and women) can level some of those issues out, if not increase some people’s sex drives altogether.
Adding to that, it should also go on record that some studies indicate that women between the ages of 27-45 actually have a stronger desire — or craving — for sex than women between the ages of 18-26. So honestly, there goes the myth that being younger (automatically) means that you’re hornier. #Elmoshrug
Certain Medications
GiphyIf you used to have a higher sex drive and you’re currently on an antidepressant, that could be why your desire for copulation has decreased. Some studies say that as much as 40 percent of people who are on these types of medication end up having a lower libido (by the way, antihistamines and beta-blockers can have this effect, too).
On the other hand, if you’ve been taking a prescribed drug to increase your sex drive (perhaps like Vyleesi or Addyi), then it would make sense that you may have an increased libido level. Other meds that may have a similar effect include birth control pills (since they alter your hormones), medications that help to treat Parkinson’s disease, along with dopamine-related drugs.
Less Stress
GiphyIf, on the days when you don’t seem to have a care in the world, you also desire sex more than usual, that’s not a coincidence either. Thing is, when you’re all stressed out, that can cause the stress hormone known as cortisol to work overtime and, when that happens, that can end up suppressing your sex hormones which can deplete you of sexual urges. Ironically, there is a flip side to this because when you engage in sexual activity, that actually elevates feel-good (and bonding) hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which can also de-stress you.
So basically, if you’re craving sex, you probably aren’t very stressed out (right now), and if you want to stop being stressed out, you probably should have some sex (some protected sex, if you don’t want to be stressed later up the road…if you know what I mean).
Having an Amazing Sex Life
GiphyTo me, this one right here should be a given because when something is both good to and for you, why wouldn’t you want more of it? So yeah, if you have a great sex life with someone, it’s common sense that you’d want to engage in that act with them as much as possible. Hey, not to mention the fact that orgasms activate your brain in a way similar to a drug high does.
So, if while reading this, you’re thinking about sexting your bae to make arrangements to — eh hem — satisfy your craving, I say go for it! To “greatly want” to connect with your partner in order to have some fulfilling and satisfying sex? What in the world could possibly be wrong with that?! Not a damn thing.
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