Online Women’s
Health Services
Wondering what services you can get online vs going to see an OB-GYN in person?
The Nurx online medical team provides women’s health services including birth control, HPV screening, STI testing, and emergency contraception — so you can get many aspects of a well woman exam without a gyno appointment, on your schedule.
We believe every woman has a right to safe, affordable birth control. Whether you know which type you want or need some pro guidance, we'll help you find your best option.
Get Birth Control
Testing yourself for STIs offers priceless peace of mind. With our new STI Home Test Kits, you can get a status check on common infections conveniently and confidentially.
Get a STI Test Kit
Home HPV screening allows you to assess your risk for cervical cancer quickly and easily, no appointment required.
Get a HPV Screening Kit
Emergency contraception (aka the "morning-after pill") is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy, up to five days after unprotected sex.
Get Emergency Contraception
Get the clear skin you deserve with scientifically-backed acne treatment prescribed by a licensed medical provider, all from the convenience of home.
Get Acne Treatment
Not sure if you have rosacea, acne, or something else? The Nurx medical team has answers, with an online assessment and prescription rosacea treatment delivered to your door.
Get Rosacea Treatment
Prescription retinoid cream is proven to reverse and prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, and now Nurx will prescribe treatment online and deliver it to your door.
Get Anti-Aging Treatment
Test for pregnancy and fertility with these doctor-recommended over-the-counter products.
Get Fertility/Pregnancy TestsSave time and money ordering medication online, with free shipping in discreet packaging.
Select your medication, or get guidance from our medical team. Answer a few questions and enter your insurance info (if you have coverage — if not, no problem).
A Nurx provider in your state will review your request and write a prescription.
We get your medication directly to you. On time, in a discreet package, and with no added costs.
What is a gynecologist?
A gynecologist is a physician with special training in women’s reproductive health. An OB-GYN is both a gynecologist and an obstetrician. Obstetricians take care of pregnant women and deliver babies.
What women’s health services does a gynecologist provide?
An in-person appointment with a gyno or OB-GYN begins with the provider taking a comprehensive health history, and usually includes a pelvic exam, possibly with a pap smear or HPV test to screen for cervical cancer. A gynecologist can prescribe birth control or insert an IUD, and test for sexually transmitted infections. You can discuss any sexual or reproductive symptoms — such as pelvic pain, or period problems — with a gynecologist. A gynecologist may perform manual breast exams, or offer non-reproductive primary care like flu shots and counseling about weight loss or smoking cessation. If needed, some gynecologists perform surgical procedures that address reproductive issues.
How often do I need to go to the gynecologist?
You may not need an in-person gyno appointment every year. Yearly pelvic exams are no longer recommended for women older than 18 who don’t have worrisome symptoms, aren’t pregnant, and aren’t known to be at increased risk of gynecologic cancer (according to the US Preventive Services Task Force). Seeing an OB-GYN regularly can still be an important part of taking care of yourself, but know that you can receive many types of sexual and reproductive healthcare without an in-person appointment. Many of the healthcare services that a gynecologist offers, including birth control, STI testing, and cervical cancer screening, can be accessed through an online medical provider like those at Nurx. Nurx providers begin each online assessment by taking a comprehensive medical history, and treat each patient with at least as much care and attention as you would receive from an in-person appointment.
How do I find a gynecologist near me?
You can look for a gynecologist near you by searching for a Planned Parenthood clinic in or close to your zip code. If you need birth control, STI testing, cervical cancer screening, or emergency contraception you can access those services from Nurx, if Nurx is available where you live.
What’s the difference between an HPV test and a pap smear?
Both tests aim to protect you from cervical cancer by catching pre-cancerous cells before they turn cancerous. An HPV test screens for high-risk strains of HPV that are responsible for most cervical cancer. An HPV test only requires collecting a swab sample from inside the vagina, close to but not in the cervix. You can perform an HPV test at home in just minutes, and mail it to a lab. If high-risk HPV is present, you’ll need to follow up with your doctor for a pap smear or a colposcopy to look for abnormal changes in your cervical cells. If your results are negative for high-risk HPV you are at very low risk of cervical cancer and mostly likely don’t need additional screening (either a pap smear or HPV test) for three years, though testing recommendations vary by age and medical history.
A pap test (also called a pap smear) requires that you go to your healthcare provider’s office and receive a speculum exam. Your healthcare provider will collect cells from inside of your cervix, which are then observed under a microscope by a cytologist or pathologist. Abnormal cervical cells indicate a potential for cervical cancer and require close follow-up.
Less than half of American women see a gynecologist or OB-GYN yearly, and that percentage has been declining. If you’ve been wondering how often to see the gynecologist, and what’s in it for you, check out these five little-known factoids.
We asked Joni Gunzburger, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner with Nurx, to share some of the most common patient concerns she receives about birth control, and how she addresses them.
Hospitals and clinics have been offering pap smear tests for women for several decades. The purpose of a pap smear is to obtain cells from the cervix to determine if the patient might be at risk for cervical cancer.
We know that no one has time to wait in line at the pharmacy. We know that seeing a doctor often isn't easy — on your schedule, wallet, or peace of mind.
Our service makes it easy for anyone, regardless of circumstance, to get medication quickly, discreetly, and affordably. So we can all stay safe and in control of our own health, always.
