Telemedicine Expands Access to Judgment-Free, High-Quality Sexual Healthcare

By Dr. Jill Ahrens

Over the past decade, working in infectious diseases and women’s health, I’ve cared for people whose health outcomes were shaped as much by circumstance as by biology. Time and again, I’ve seen how distance, cost, stigma, and a lack of local providers prevent people from getting the sexual and reproductive healthcare they deserve.

These barriers are especially acute in Texas, where many communities are designated Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). For patients living in those regions, specialty care often requires long drives, long waits, or — far too often — going without care entirely.

As a Clinical Specialist for Women’s Health at Nurx — a leading telehealth platform specializing in women’s health — I see firsthand how telemedicine is changing that reality. When delivered thoughtfully, with strong clinical oversight and patient-centered design, virtual care can bring high-quality, judgment-free care directly into people’s homes. 

How Telemedicine Reaches Underserved Communities

Recently, Nurx analyzed more than 500,000 patients using our asynchronous telemedicine platform. The results offer a clear picture of just how transformative virtual care can be.

One of the most striking findings of our study is that more than one in five patients lived in federally designated MUAs (Medically Underserved Areas). Yet they were able to access specialty-level care just as quickly as patients living in urban centers.

Asynchronous telemedicine enables patients to share their history and concerns via secure digital intake forms. Clinicians then review the information, send follow-up questions, and develop a care plan — all without requiring both parties to be online at the same time.

For patients who might otherwise have to wait weeks for an appointment or travel across several counties to see a specialist, the difference is meaningful. In our analysis, the median time from intake to provider response was three days, compared to the national average of 26 days for in-person specialty care.

Timely care matters. It prevents gaps in contraception, supports continuity for chronic conditions, and helps close long-standing disparities that stem from delayed or inaccessible services.

Understanding Barriers Women & Adolescents Face

The vast majority of patients in our study — 94% — were women. This reflects both the demand for accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare and the disproportionate barriers women face when trying to get that care in person.

Many women must navigate inflexible job schedules, childcare costs or logistics, transportation challenges, and the stigma or discomfort that can come with discussing intimate health concerns face-to-face.

Telemedicine offers a way around these obstacles. By offering private, at-home, evidence-based care, it allows women to engage with clinicians on their own schedule and in a space that feels safe.

And, while the average patient in our study was 31, this model also supports younger adults and adolescents who often struggle to find confidential, youth-friendly care. Strong privacy protections, simple digital interfaces, and age-appropriate educational content make asynchronous telemedicine well-suited for those seeking contraception or guidance for the first time. 

Stigma remains one of the most persistent barriers to care, particularly in smaller or more conservative communities. Telemedicine helps reduce that barrier by allowing women and adolescents to access expert reproductive healthcare, including contraception, without fear of judgment or being recognized in a waiting room.

It also allows patients to share sensitive information candidly and at their own pace. In our study, the telemedicine model included ongoing messaging with providers, allowing patients to ask follow-up questions or seek reassurance over time, not just during a single appointment. 

That continuity is especially important in sexual healthcare, where needs may evolve and where reproductive health can intersect with chronic conditions. Telemedicine allows those patients to consult with specialists who understand these connections and can help build safe, comprehensive, and personalized care plans. 

Meeting the Demand for Virtual Care Across Communities

The scale of our study — over half a million users nationwide — reflects a growing comfort with virtual healthcare. Importantly, we saw strong engagement in rural, suburban, and urban areas alike. Patients want convenient and responsive care, but they also want high-quality care from clinicians with specialized training.

Telemedicine is no longer a pandemic-era solution. It’s becoming a core part of how people expect to access healthcare. At the same time, several challenges continue to limit widespread access.

• Broadband remains inadequate in many parts of rural Texas.
• Insurance coverage for asynchronous telehealth is inconsistent, creating affordability gaps.
• Patients may lack digital literacy or confidence navigating online platforms.

Texas has a real opportunity to lead in addressing these issues. Expanding broadband access, modernizing telehealth reimbursement, and ensuring Medicaid covers evidence-based telemedicine would be meaningful steps forward.

Bridging Education and Access for a Healthier Future 

Education and access must go hand in hand. When organizations like Healthy Futures of Texas teach about contraception or STI prevention, being able to connect individuals immediately to a trusted telehealth platform makes the information actionable. That seamless handoff between education and clinical care helps ensure people can act on what they learn, regardless of where they live. 

Telemedicine is not a replacement for in-person care, nor is it ideal for every scenario. But when implemented well, it is a powerful tool for reducing disparities, expanding access, and ensuring Texans — regardless of geography or circumstance — can get the judgment-free, high-quality healthcare they deserve.

For many communities, it’s not just a convenience. It’s a lifeline.

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Dr. Jill Ahrens is a board-certified Infectious Disease Specialist with over a decade of experience in her specialty and is the Clinical Specialist for the Women’s Health urgent service lines at Nurx. Nurx is a leading telemedicine provider dedicated to making high-quality, judgment-free healthcare accessible and affordable for all.