Is Telehealth Equivalent to In-person Visits for Menstrual and Vulvovaginal Issues in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology?

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 state of emergency brought a rapid transition to virtual medicine, or “telehealth.” Medical organizations released support statements of telehealth for specific clinical encounters, such as contraceptive counseling for adolescents. However, there is no data on telehealth visits for the common diagnoses of heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual irregularity, or vulvovaginitis. We propose that telehealth for irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding and vulvovaginal complaints is equally effective to in-person office visits and may be routinely offered.