From overlooked to prioritized: The rise of virtual care for menopause and women’s health

Menopause affects more than 50 million women in the U.S., yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas in healthcare. Despite symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, many women receive little to no support.

Part of the problem is a lack of medical training—only 20% of OB-GYN residency programs include menopause education, and just 31% of OB-GYNs feel equipped to treat it. As a result, 75% of women seeking help leave without proper diagnosis or treatment. To fill this gap, many are turning to telehealth platforms like HerMD and DrHouse for expert, accessible care.

HerMD: Virtual menopause & sexual health care

Founded in 2015, HerMD focuses on menopause and sexual health, often overlooked areas in traditional care, by offering personalized, evidence-based support for women.

Last month, HerMD took a bold step forward by launching Virtual Care by HerMD, a comprehensive telehealth platform designed to reach more women across the country. The rollout marks a shift from physical clinics to a fully virtual model. HerMD stays committed to expert, personalized care while adapting to changing healthcare needs in the U.S.

Personalized, time-rich consultations: At HerMD, patients receive virtual appointments with clinicians specially trained in menopause and sexual medicine. These sessions allow for comprehensive evaluations and fully personalized treatment plans, including options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), non-hormonal medications, lifestyle advice, and access to mental health professionals.

Many of HerMD’s providers are certified by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), ensuring clinical excellence and a deep understanding of the physiological and emotional complexities surrounding menopause. All clinicians are vetted not only for their experience but also for their cultural sensitivity, reinforcing HerMD’s commitment to inclusive, respectful care.

Tackling a national gap in women’s healthcare: Many women lack proper menopause and sexual health care due to a national shortage of trained providers—fewer than 30% of OBGYNs receive formal training in these areas.

Each year, menopause affects about 1.3 million U.S. women, often causing symptoms like hot flashes, sleep issues, and vaginal dryness. Yet, over 60% report dissatisfaction with the care they receive. HerMD addresses this gap by offering expert-led virtual care focused on menopause, sexual health, and related concerns such as hormonal changes and mental health.

Expanding across the country: HerMD offers virtual care in different states, including underserved areas like Texas and Florida, making specialized treatment accessible without long travel. Vaginal health services, including treatments for dryness, pain, and infections, are also available and tailored to menopausal needs.

DrHouse: Affordable, broad-spectrum virtual care

DrHouse telehealth offers a different, more generalist approach to online healthcare. While it does not specialize solely in women’s health, its 24/7 virtual consultation model provides fast, low-cost access to medical professionals for a variety of conditions, including menopause and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Budget-friendly menopause support: DrHouse appeals to women seeking quick access to menopause care without navigating insurance or long wait times. For an affordable price, patients can connect with U.S.-licensed doctors around the clock to discuss symptoms and receive prescriptions for HRT, birth control, or non-hormonal options like SSRIs and SNRIs.

While these clinicians may not be menopause specialists, DrHouse is well-suited for initial consultations, symptom tracking, or ongoing medication management, especially for those who face cost or accessibility barriers.

On-demand help for bacterial vaginosis: In addition to menopause, DrHouse also treats bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common but often misunderstood condition. BV affects millions of women, especially those of reproductive age.

Though not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), BV is associated with sexual activity and can increase the risk of other infections, including yeast infections and STIs. Treatment typically involves antibiotics like metronidazole, clindamycin, or tinidazole, either taken orally or applied topically.

With DrHouse, women can access same-day consultations for BV, receive a diagnosis, and obtain prescription medications—all without leaving their homes. This is especially valuable for women with recurrent infections or those hesitant to seek in-person gynecological care.

Role of telehealth in redefining women’s health

Telehealth is not just a convenient tool—it’s transforming how women access care for conditions that have long been ignored or stigmatized. Platforms like HerMD and DrHouse are leading the way in making specialized, respectful, and timely healthcare more accessible.

Correcting knowledge gaps in traditional medicine: Many patients choose telehealth after poor experiences with general doctors or OB-GYNs who may miss perimenopausal symptoms or misdiagnose BV. Telehealth providers use specialized training and protocols to improve diagnosis and care.

For instance, BV is often mistaken for a yeast infection, but telehealth clinicians can correctly identify it and prescribe the right antibiotics instead of antifungals. Likewise, women new to menopause are often dismissed as “too young” or “stressed.” HerMD and DrHouse provide clear, expert care that validates their symptoms and concerns.

Supporting whole-body and emotional well-being: Both platforms recognize that menopause and vaginal health are not limited to physical symptoms. Mental health plays a significant role. Anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, and sexual distress are common yet under-addressed aspects of menopause and BV.

HerMD’s longer visit times allow clinicians to explore mental health concerns and, when necessary, provide referrals to therapists, sex counselors, or sleep specialists. DrHouse, meanwhile, includes prescriptions for mental health medications when they’re part of a broader symptom management plan.

This integrated model of care empowers women to address their health in a holistic way, improving not just symptom relief but overall quality of life.

Healthcare finally prioritizing women

Until recently, many women were forced to suffer in silence with menopause and vaginal health issues. Cultural stigma, lack of provider training, and minimal research into female biology all contributed to decades of neglect. But a shift is now underway.

HerMD, founded by Dr. Somi Javaid, set out with a clear mission: to normalize conversations around menopause and sexual health and provide women with the care they deserve. On the other hand, DrHouse gives women flexible, fast, and affordable access to competent physicians for a wide range of reproductive and vaginal health concerns.

Together, these platforms are revolutionizing what women can expect from their healthcare providers. No more rushed visits, no more vague answers, and no more being told “it’s all in your head”. Telehealth is helping close major gaps in women’s health, especially for common but often overlooked conditions like menopause and bacterial vaginosis.

By blending expert care with convenience, these services are giving women better control over their health. As demand for personalized and supportive care grows, platforms like DrHouse and HerMD are becoming vital to the future of women’s healthcare.