Yes, you can! While you will need a prescription to purchase birth control pills, Sesame makes it easier than ever to get in touch with a reproductive health care provider in . With affordable telehealth options, such as video birth control consultations, you can get in touch with a real, quality online doctor who can prescribe birth control for new patients. Need a prescription refill? Doctors on Sesame can refill your prescription during a quick video birth control consult without you ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

All prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.

Depending on the state you live in, you may be able to get a prescription for birth control directly from a pharmacist. Call your local pharmacy to check if your state allows for access to birth control without a prescription from a health care provider.

If you do live in a state that allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control, you will be screened via a questionnaire and be asked to take a blood pressure test to make sure that you do not have any health conditions that might make taking birth control dangerous. High blood pressure, medical history of cancer, or poor cardiovascular health are all risk factors that make birth control potentially dangerous.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women first see an OB/GYN between the ages of 13-15. Many issues and concerns before the age of 13 can be handled by a primary care physician.

A patient's first OB/GYN visit will often cover development. There may be personal questions about puberty, menstrual periods, and sexual activity. Most girls will not need a pap smear or pelvic exam on their first visit unless they are experiencing abnormal pain or bleeding. Often, the OB/GYN conducts a general health exam and an external genital exam.

A general health exam includes:

• Measurement of height
  
• Measurement of weight
  
• Blood pressure check
  

An external genital exam includes:

• An examination of the vulva
  

The external genital exam can help girls learn about pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and understand more generally the anatomy of the female reproductive system.

Save up to 60% on your next OB/GYN visit when you book through Sesame.

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to an STI, or suspect exposure, it is important to get tested. If left untreated, STIs such as gonorrhea can cause a host of issues, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and urethritis. Pregnant women should also note that gonorrhea can cause ectopic pregnancy or can even lead to a miscarriage.

It is also good to note that even if you have received an STD treatment before, you are still at risk for reinfection if you are exposed to a sexual partner that has gonorrhea.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following groups get tested annually:

• Sexually active women under the age of 25
  
• Women over the age of 25 with multiple sexual partners
  
• Gay or bisexual men
  
• Individuals with HIV
  
• People who have been forced to have sexual activity against their will
  

Pregnant women should be tested early in the pregnancy because an STI infection can lead to low birth weight, premature labor, or result in a miscarriage. The CDC also recommends that teens and adults ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once.

Testing varies depending on the type of STI you have. Chlamydia and gonorrhea usually involve a urine or swab test, while other types of STIs including syphilis and genital herpes may require blood tests.

No matter the test, you can save up to 60% on treatment options and healthcare services by booking a visit with Sesame. Sesame offers cash-pay pricing, which means you know what you'll pay before you even step foot in a doctor's office. No hidden fees. No surprise bills. No nonsense.

Urinary tract infections are common infections of the urinary system. UTIs can occur anywhere in the urinary tract - the urethra, bladder, kidneys, and ureters - but most commonly occur in the urethra and bladder. When a UTI infects and inflames the bladder, the condition is known as cystitis.

In many cases, a mild or moderate urinary tract infection can away on its own. If left untreated, however, UTIs may become more severe and lead to serious complications that could be potentially life-threatening. Because of this, doctors will prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection. Antibiotics can help UTI symptoms disappear in as little as a day or two.

If you are experiencing a persistent need to urinate, pain while urinating, or red or cloudy urine, you may be dealing with symptoms of a UTI. Get in touch with a urologist on Sesame to discuss your symptoms and discuss treatment plans. Urologists on Sesame can assess symptoms, prescribe medication, and create treatment plans for you. All urologists on Sesame are certified by the American Board of Urology.

Even though it’s normal to develop a urinary tract infection every once in a while, if you are experiencing persistent or recurring UTIs, your doctor may recommend additional action, including:

• Antibiotics at low doses, usually for six months but sometimes for longer.
  
• If you keep in touch with your doctor, you can self-diagnose and treat yourself.
  
• If your illnesses are caused by sexual activity, you'll only need one dose of antibiotic.
  
• If you're postmenopausal, vaginal estrogen therapy can help.
  

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria. Antibiotics work by killing the bacteria, eliminating the infection at its source.

If necessary, your doctor may write you a prescription for over-the-counter antibiotics to fight the infection. All prescriptions are at your doctor's discretion.

Erectile dysfunction can certainly be a physical side effect of several medical conditions and psychological issues.

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common forms of male sexual dysfunction. In fact, ED affects nearly 30 million men worldwide. The prevalence of ED cases can be attributed to aging. However, men of all ages experience sexual dysfunction caused by a wide range of health conditions.

Aside from age, common causes of ED include:

• Poor vascular health (heart disease, high blood pressure, lack of blood flow)
  
• Substance abuse
  
• Diabetes
  
• Obesity
  
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  
• Psychological problems (such as depression or anxiety)
  
• Peyronie's disease (scar tissue inside the penis)
  
• Spinal cord injuries
  
• Medications
  

Erectile dysfunction can be a touchy subject for a lot of guys. If you have difficulty getting or keeping an erection once in a while, you are not alone. Millions of men worldwide experience some form of ED at some point in time. If your ED is persistent, or if you're worried that it's a side effect of other health conditions, speak to a men's health care provider or Doctor of Urology as soon as you can. ED is extremely common but can signify underlying health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity. The good news? Most cases of ED are easily treatable with a prescription.

Sesame is the first-ever healthcare marketplace that allows patients to book directly with licensed doctors and providers at affordable, upfront cash prices — no long wait times, no hidden fees, and no insurance needed. We call it "half-price healthcare."

How? We've stripped away all of the things that mark up the price of your care, like third-party billing fees and insurance middlemen. Instead, patients can book online and in-person care across 36+ specialties, including dermatology, mental health & weight loss, within 1-2 hours at the touch of a button.