Planned Parenthood App Will Prescribe Birth Control Infection Treatment Online In Nebraska
- JoANNE YOUNGLincoln Journal Star
Local Planned Parenthood doctors call it cutting-edge care for patients.
The Planned Parenthood Direct app is especially helpful, they say, for those who would rather communicate online than make an appointment at a clinic for birth control or for urinary tract infection treatment.
In some states, including Nebraska, women and men can now use a smartphone to register for the Planned Parenthood Direct app, give some medical and family history, and wait about a day for online contact with a health provider.
The app launched in Minnesota, a pilot site for the national Planned Parenthood Federation in April 2018. Then in June it was rolled out in North Dakota and South Dakota.
It was successful in Minnesota, said Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood’s north-central states.
Which Antibiotic Should Be Used To Treat A Uti
There are multiple types of antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections . Different treatments may be recommended in different areas of the country based on regional patterns of antibiotic resistance.
Most patients with an uncomplicated UTI will begin treatment without any special diagnostic test, although a urinalysis may be performed by taking a urine sample. In a urinalysis, the chemical components of the urine are determined, and the doctor may look at urine color, clarity, and a view a sample under the microscope. A urine culture may be order, too, but is not always needed to start treatment. A urine culture can define the specific bacteria causing the UTI in more complicated cases or in the case of treatment failure.
Symptoms like burning and stinging while urinating will usually clear up in within one day after starting treatment. Be sure to finish your entire course of medication. If symptoms are still present after 2 to 3 days, contact your healthcare provider.
More extensive diagnostic procedures or imaging tests like an X-ray may be required if you continue to have frequent UTIs.
Fast Easy And Incredibly Helpful
I never write app reviews, but I had such a fantastic experience with the PP Direct app today that I figured leaving a review was the least I could do! Im moving and therefore currently between doctors, and couldnt figure out a way to get a birth control refill without having to go through the hassle of doing an intake appointment with a doctor Ill probably never see again. A friend suggested PP, and when I went to their website, I read about the app. Figured it couldnt possibly be that easy, but decided to give it a try… and Im so glad I did! Filled out the questions, snapped a photo of my drivers license, requested the specific pill Ive been on for years, and designated the pharmacy down the street from me as my pickup location. Within a few hours I had a notification saying the prescription had been approved and sent to the pharmacy I was charged a total of $25 . Way faster, easier, and more convenient than any doctors appointment, and I still felt confident that I was receiving quality medical care – the questionnaire was thorough enough to catch any contraindications for the prescription, and they offered lots of educational materials as well. Thank you Planned Parenthood for making my life a tiny bit easier during an otherwise stressful time!!
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How Can You Get Tested For A Urinary Tract Infection
- To find out if you have a UTI, your clinician will give you special instructions on how to pee in a sterile container. This sample is tested for bacteria.
- You can usually be diagnosed during that same visit.
*We know that these arent the words everyone uses for their bodies , and support you using the language that feels best for you.
Penile Yeast Infection: Symptoms Treatment And More
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What is a penile yeast infection?
A yeast infection is often thought of as a female health problem, but it can affect anyone, including men. A penile yeast infection, if not treated, can lead to a wide range of painful, uncomfortable, and potentially embarrassing symptoms. It can also lead to serious complications if the infection spreads into your bloodstream.
Over-the-counter medications can often clear up a yeast infection, and some basic prevention steps can help you avoid this fairly common condition.
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What Do I Need To Know If Im Treating Trichomoniasis
If youre getting treated for trich:
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Take all of your medication the way your doctor tells you to.
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Your partner should also get treated so you dont re-infect each other or anyone else. Your doctor may give you a separate dose of antibiotics to give to your partner. Make sure you both take all of the medication you get.
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Dont have sex again for about a week after you finish your medicine. It takes that long for the medicine to work to get rid of the trich in your body. When you get the medicine, ask your nurse or doctor when it would be OK to have sex again.
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Dont share your medicine with anyone.
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Its possible to get a new trich infection again if youre exposed in the future. So use condoms and get tested regularly.
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How Do You Know If You Have A Urinary Tract Infection
- You have to urinate a lot.
- You pee but only a little bit comes out each time.
- It burns when you pee.
- You have to pee suddenly, or soon after you just went.
- There is blood in your pee, it is cloudy, or it smells bad.
- You have pain or pressure in your lower abdomen either on your belly, side, or back.
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Telemedicine Features Are Part Of The Reaction To Defunding
In August, Planned Parenthood stopped being a part of the federal Title X grant program, which helps provide birth control and womens health services to low-income women the nonprofit would not limit sharing information about abortion to its patients, per a federal ruling on Title X funding.
While the apps development is not a direct response to the Title X decision, its availability helps the nonprofit ensure that as many people as possible including Title Xeligible patients get the care they need.
Can I Treat A Uti Without Antibiotics
UTI treatment without antibiotics is NOT usually recommended. An early UTI, such as a bladder infection , can worsen over time, leading to a more severe kidney infection . However, a small study has suggested early, mild UTIs might clear up on their own. It’s always best to check with your doctor if you are having UTI symptoms.
Pregnant women should always see a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they might have a UTI, as this can lead to a greater risk of delivering a low birth weight or premature infant.
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How Can You Lower Your Risk Of Getting A Urinary Tract Infection
- Drink lots of water every day.
- Pee as soon as you feel the urge to go. Do not wait to pee.
- Pee before and after you have sex.
- Wipe from the front of the vulva to the back after going to the bathroom.
- Avoid pads, tampons, or bath products that are perfumed or coloured.
- Take showers instead of baths.
- Avoid using spermicides, diaphragms and sponges as birth control methods as these can sometimes cause UTIs.
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice or take cranberry tablets.
- Try to keep your immune system strong by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising.
How Long Does Each Infection Typically Last
BV is unlikely to go away without the use of antibiotics, so always contact a doctor.
Mild yeast infections may go away on their own or with over-the-counter medication after a few days. If a yeast infection persists or is getting progressively worse, seek medical advice.
A prescription treatment can quickly clear up BV or a yeast infection within a week . You may feel better sooner, but complete the full course of treatment as directed by your doctor to ensure the infection is gone.
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Common Side Effects With Antibiotic Use
Each antibiotic is responsible for its own unique list of side effects, and the list is usually extensive. Be sure to discuss your individual antibiotic side effects with your healthcare provider. However, there are side effects that are common to most antibiotics, regardless of class or drug:
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Planned Parenthood App Helps Deliver Birth Control Uti Medication
DENVER – A new app by Planned Parenthood allows women to get birth control delivered to their door. The app also helps deliver treatment for urinary tract infections.
“They can be sitting in their living room, they can be in their car on their lunch break,” said Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Medical Director, Dr. Kristina Tocce.
Like an office evaluation, she said, the app walks women through a set of questions. The women submit their answers and a Planned Parenthood provider responds within 24 hours.
“When people have barriers to health care, they often have to delay care or forgo care altogether and so the more we can meet patients where they are, the healthier patients are going to be,” said Tocce.
Dana Gutwein said it makes life easier for busy moms like her. She has two kids, two dogs and works inside and outside the home.
“It feels like every day is just a total scramble rush from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed,” said Gutwein.
Squeezing in time to go to the doctor for a birth control prescription, she said, is difficult, “For each appointment, it’s time away from work or getting a babysitter. I would love to just be able to do that in a faster easier way because I’ve got to have it.”
Now, she can. There’s an app for that.
“It seems like such a small thing but it’s going to make a big difference for me and many other women in Colorado.”
First published on August 30, 2019 / 11:10 PM
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South Carolinas Std Problem Has A Lot To Do With Stigma
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South Carolina laws have kept comprehensive sex-ed out of school. But the law isnt the only reason South Carolina has an STD problem. To name our larger societal ill: Stigma.
So that we all have an understanding of what I mean when I say stigma, here is the definition I am working with: a shared understanding that having an STD is morally wrong and/or socially unacceptable.
Heres an example of what I mean when I say, shared understanding and socially unacceptable:
Imagine you are at a dinner party with friends. This is a group of friends youve known for a while and with whom you feel close. One of your friends mentions that shes been on antibiotics for a sinus infection. She complains about the pain around her nose and eyes. Maybe she even grumbles about the side effects of her antibiotic.
Now imagine one of your other friends piping in with, Ugh, I feel you! I had chlamydia last week and Im also on antibiotics!
Take a moment to honestly ask yourself: how would you react in this situation? Do you consider a sinus infection and a chlamydia infection on the same level? If no, why not? Would you be able to announce to a group of friends a recent STD diagnosis?
There is an unspoken understanding that STDs are somehow different from other infections. And if you were to present your friends with this hypothetical scenario, there is a good chance they would your same instincts.
So, what can be done?
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How Do I Know If I Have An Std
STD symptoms can differ between males and females, but if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you may have an STD, and you should contact your doctor immediately. The most common difference between male and female STD symptoms is where the pain is felt. In women, the pain is felt in the belly, while men tend to experience testicular pain with some STDs. The sooner your condition is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated. This prevents the infection from causing any further discomfort or damage to your reproductive organs. Early testing also prevents you from spreading the disease to more people.
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Emergency Contraception Prescriptions And Delivery
If you need emergency contraception right nowmaybe the condom broke or you just didnt realize you were in the fertile part of your cyclethen its best to go to the pharmacy. But you can also get emergency contraception before you need it. And if youre not interested in getting pregnant any time soon, why not stock up on the morning after pill from so you have it in an emergency? So much less stressful. Many of the services listed above that offer birth control also offer emergency contraception.
Is There Treatment For Utis
Most UTIs are easy to treat. Treatment for UTIs is generally antibiotics, which get rid of the infection. You can also take over-the-counter pain medicine if you want.
Antibiotics are usually quick and effective most symptoms go away within a day or 2 of taking medicine. But be sure to finish all of your medicine, even if your symptoms go away. If you stop your UTI treatment early, the infection might still be there or could come back.
If your symptoms dont go away after a few days, or for more severe infections like a kidney or prostate infection, your doctor or nurse may recommend more tests, different medication, or refer you to a specialist.
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Want To Make An Appointment Online
Our new mobile friendly online appointments are quick and easy. Make one today on your phone, tablet or desktop. Many appointments made next day or choose the time that is most convenient for you!
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in your urinary system, including the
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bladder the organ that collects and stores urine
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urethra the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body
There are two kinds of UTIs: cystitis and urethritis. Cystitis is an infection of the bladder. Urethritis is an infection of the urethra. If left untreated, either of these can spread and cause a kidney infection. So even though UTIs are really common, youve got to take them seriously.
What If I Dont Get Treated For An Std
Failure to properly treat STDs can lead to permanent damage to both the male and female reproductive organs, although some STDs are more dangerous than others. For example, untreated chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease . If left untreated, syphilis can damage your nervous system, brain and can even cause death. Gonorrhea can cause severe complications, including miscarriage, infertility, septic arthritis, and even blindness.
Ignoring symptoms, or avoiding routine testing, can be detrimental to your health. Getting routine STD screening is a responsible thing to do.
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How Do I Get Tested For A Uti
You have to talk with a nurse or doctor to know for sure if you have a UTI. Testing usually begins with a nurse or doctor talking with you about your medical history and your symptoms. Theyll also do a simple test, called a urinalysis: all you do is pee in a cup, and theyll test it for certain bacteria or other signs of infection.
In addition to the urinalysis, your doctor or nurse might test you for certain STDs, which can lead to UTIs or have similar symptoms.
Noticing Other Medical Problems
Gregg noted that a side benefit of the app is that it can alert providers to problems with people who have been to a Planned Parenthood facility in the past.
She recalls the case of a woman who had requested birth control through the app, prompting staff members to check her health records.
They noticed that she had missed a follow-up appointment after the results of a Pap smear came back positive a situation that, if ignored, could turn into cervical cancer.
The discovery prompted them to get the woman back to the center for treatment.
As far as Amanda Megan is concerned, Planned Parenthood Direct is a lifesaver.
The 24-year-old college senior from Phoenix downloaded the app when she first learned about it on social media, figuring it might come in handy at some point.
Sure enough, Megan used the tool this spring when she returned from vacation only to develop a UTI.
Reluctant to ask her boss for more time off to see a doctor, Megan instead reached out for help via the app.
She described her symptoms and requested an antibiotic shed used for previous infections. A day later, she picked up the medication at Walgreens after she got off work.
Im one of those people who been through this, I know what I need to do I dont need someone to hold my hand. I just need to get going, said Megan. I really liked . It made it a lot easier.
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How Telemedicine And Virtual Visits Work
With the app, Planned Parenthood practitioners can conduct virtual visits when required by state law in those states that dont require visits, patient-provider communications can happen by text. There is often a fee for a virtual visit, but in some states, video conferencing is free for birth controlrelated appointments. Providers speak with patients via videoconferencing or text in order to correctly diagnose and prescribe medications for a urinary tract infection or certain birth control methods. It can help people avoid an in-person visit when it isnt easy to get to an office. Doing so helps women get their questions answered, obtain an accurate UTI diagnosis, and get a prescription filled all remotely.
You can also learn about other birth control methods, such as the ring, the patch, the IUD, the shot, and the implant, which are available from a healthcare provider youd need to see in-person at a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic.
