Disclaimer: Not everyone who goes through menopause identifies as a woman and not all people who identify as women go through menopause. At Jayla, our core audience is people who identify as women, so we primarily use the word “women.” However, we’re working on specific content for people going through menopause who might not identify as women. Inclusivity is a key value of ours, so bear with us!
Managing Menopause Symptoms Is Challenging for Many Women, but Telehealth Can Help
78% of women say that menopause disrupts their daily lives (1).
Yet, 73% of women aged 40-65 report not treating their symptoms (1).
If we do the math, that means that over half of menopausal women experience symptoms that interfere with their lives without seeking treatment.
It’s understandable: women have long been told to “suck it up,” and women of color even more so. Menopause and – let’s be honest – much of women’s reproductive health has long been taboo, meaning that society doesn’t talk about it.
And even when women do seek out information about menopause symptoms, it can be confusing to decipher what is accurate and medically verified. How many “health influencers” have you seen on your Instagram today?
It’s time to reclaim control of our bodies with trustworthy guidance, and telehealth might be a perfect solution for that.
Menopause Care Gap
With approximately 40 million menopausal women in the U.S. and around 6,000 more joining them daily, many women lack affordable and adequate care for disruptive symptoms (2).
As you may have experienced yourself, it can be challenging to find an expert on menopause in traditional healthcare settings. Indeed, only 20% of OB/GYN residency programs provide any kind of menopause training. Mostly, the courses and rotations are elective (3). While OB/GYNs can and do develop their skills once they enter independent practice, limited appointment times and other health issues may take the spotlight away from menopause care. We should be concerned, given that all women go through menopause!
Many clinicians have limited training in handling menopause and its onset and to make matters worse, there is a shortage of menopause specialists:
- 80% of medical residents admit that they feel “barely comfortable” discussing or treating menopause (3)
- By 2030, the US will be short nearly 5,000 OB/GYNs (4). By 2050, that number could reach 22,000 (5)
Telehealth to the Rescue?
What is telehealth?
Telehealth, or telemedicine, allows you to connect with your healthcare provider without a visit to their office. You can have a telehealth appointment online using your computer, tablet, or smartphone. With telehealth, you can:
- Communicate Virtually: Chat with your clinician from home over video, text, and phone.
- Fulfill Prescriptions Online: Order your medications online and have them sent to you without visiting a clinician in person.
- Use Online Portals: Access your medical information and talk to your healthcare team online via a secure portal.
Why telehealth is booming?
Telehealth’s popularity has increased in recent years – and for good reason. Advances in technology and the need for more accessible healthcare solutions drove more people to try it. The COVID-19 pandemic made telehealth even more essential and demonstrated its convenience and efficiency. Today, telehealth is a trusted option to address health issues, including menopause symptoms.
Why Telehealth is Perfect for Menopause Management
Accessibility and convenience
Menopausal women tend to be the sandwich generation: the caretakers of both children and parents. On top of that, you likely have significant responsibility at work due to your experience and leadership on the job. That means accessibility and convenience are extra important.
Telehealth helps to overcome geographical and time barriers, making it easy to get the care you need no matter where you are. It provides the convenience factor that supports the demand of the modern woman:
- Living in a remote area? No problem. Telehealth brings the doctor’s office right to your living room.
- Busy schedule? You can fit a virtual appointment into your day without the hassle of commuting.
Scheduling an appointment is a breeze with telehealth. Book a slot that fits your schedule with just a few clicks. No more waiting rooms or long commutes—just hop on a video call from your couch or office.
Seeking medical advice from home can be very practical and stress-free.
Personalized care that solves the menopause care gap
Telehealth allows you to have one-on-one consultations with experts in menopause care. This means you get focused attention and advice that’s specifically designed for you. Each woman experiences menopause differently, so tailored care for your symptoms is key.
By providing accessible, tailored, and continuous care, telehealth addresses the menopause care gap. Rather than a rushed appointment with an overbooked and likely overworked OB-GYN who may not have the most up-to-date knowledge on menopause care, a menopause specialist can take time to focus on you and your experience with menopause.
At Jayla, our clinicians are menopause specialists who provide individual and targeted solutions to you. Managing menopause symptoms can be challenging, so our goal is to provide personalized support and treatment plans to ease the transition.
Privacy and comfort
Don’t feel super comfortable speaking about menopause? You’re not the only one, and sometimes doing it through a screen makes that much easier.
By discussing your menopause journey in the privacy of your own home, telehealth can create a relaxed environment where you feel comfortable to open up. Clinicians can hold your hand – virtually – and you can comfortably access the care you need. At Jayla, our clinical team comprises personable clinicians who prioritize building patient/provider rapport so that you can live life optimally. This approach, together with the privacy of your home or office, creates a safe space for you to thrive during this transition. And don’t worry, all appointments with Jayla are confidential!
Easy access to symptom relief
Menopause can cause a variety of symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness, among others. Online pharmacies can quickly provide the relief you need. Prescription medications, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), non-hormonal medications, and evidence-backed supplements to help alleviate your symptoms can all be delivered to your doorstep.
Jayla’s online pharmacy provides each of these treatment options and we deliver them conveniently and discretely to your door.
Jayla’s Telehealth Approach
Holistic menopause relief
Jayla takes a holistic approach to understanding your needs by looking at your symptoms holistically. This means we consider everything—your physical health, your emotional well-being, and your hormone testing results. We also offer comprehensive help for your menopause journey, including lifestyle and nutrition coaching for menopause symptom relief.
By taking this approach, we offer personalized care and create treatment plans that are specifically tailored for you. This ensures that you experience the best possible outcome.
Menopause community support
Menopause can be isolating, especially if you don’t have a support system in place. At Jayla, our goal is to change that. We’re focused on creating a community where women can come together—whether it’s in person or online—to share their experiences, get advice, and know they’re not alone in this journey.
We have menopause clinicians ready to help you find symptom relief, through an integrated approach to care. From products that ease symptoms to trustworthy info you can count on, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We also offer free informational webinars led by clinicians who specialize in menopause care, so that you can learn about menopause and its symptoms from a trusted source. Our goal is to help you navigate menopause with confidence.
Inclusivity at our core
Inclusivity is at the core of everything we do at Jayla.
We intentionally curated a diverse team of menopause specialists, from different ethnicities and backgrounds. We understand that sometimes you just want to talk to someone who gets you. And sometimes that may mean speaking with someone who understands your cultural background and language.
Telehealth Bridges the Menopause Care Gap
Telehealth is bridging the menopause care gap. By providing high-quality, convenient, and inclusive menopause care, telehealth allows more women to access much-needed support. After all, menopause will make up a third of our lives.
This transition also marks a new season of life, filled with wisdom, freedom, and the chance to explore new horizons. By managing the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, you can shift your focus toward embracing and maximizing the opportunities that this stage of life brings. So let’s make it phenomenal!
References
- Female Founders Fund (2020) Suffering in silence: The biases and data gaps of menopause, Medium. Available at: Source (Accessed: 28 June 2024).
- Learn more about menopause (2023) Mayo Clinic Health System. Available at: Source (Accessed: 28 June 2024).
- Doctors don’t know how to treat menopause symptoms (no date) AARP. Available at: Source (Accessed: 01 July 2024).
- The United States is experiencing a growing OB-GYN shortage. Here’s why. The Hill. Available at: Source (Accessed: 01 July 2024)
- Marsa, L. et al. (2018) Labor pains: The ob-gyn shortage, AAMC. Available at: Source (Accessed: 01 July 2024).
