With the rapid growth of the internet and digital technologies, access to healthcare and health information has become a lot easier in recent years. Between telecommunications, chat services, and educational resources, there are so many options available for patients to choose from when it comes to seeking care and medical advice. But how do we know what is trustworthy and safe to use?
For starters, telehealth (via phone or video call) is a reputable and effective method for at-home health consultations. Most providers and clinics have these services available, and some may provide options for at-home testing and kits for sexual health concerns, like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With telehealth appointments, sexual health providers can provide peace of mind about certain concerns without requiring the patient to travel to a physical location to answer a few questions. If needed, prescriptions may also be available in this way. However, if there is concern about a more serious issue, your provider may ask you to schedule an in-person appointment for further testing.
Chat Services
Be wary of fully automated chat services and those that are not available from a clinic website. Those that use artificial intelligence (AI) – especially without oversight or training from certified healthcare professionals – may not have accurate information and may not protect your medical information. While there are a variety of sexual health-related AI chatbots available that provide accurate information, these services do make mistakes.
Some chatbots from clinic-adjacent websites may only be trying to sell you their product. It is beneficial to go directly to your healthcare provider to find if they have a chat option, rather than trusting any generic medical website.
This specific type of chat service provided by clinics are an option, but should be used with caution. Usually, after a few automated questions, a user will be connected with a provider who will be able to answer specific concerns and point the patient toward next steps.
It’s generally advised to avoid telehealth via chatbot, however, and to seek care from a human healthcare professional if your concerns are urgent or distressing.
Tips and Tricks for Finding Reputable Sources
Outside of telecommunications and chat services, there is an overwhelming amount of sexual health blogs, websites, and symptom checkers. So how do you know which ones are providing the right information?
- Double-check the URL. If it includes a “.org”, “.edu”, or “.gov,” it’s likely you’ve come to a good place.
- Many clinic- or government-sponsored health information websites will usually have a team of sexual healthcare professionals working as fact-checkers to ensure that no one is being misinformed.
- Ask yourself how the language used makes you feel. Sexual health education should not be trying to sell or promote anything but seeking sexual health consultation and empowerment. If the wording of the information you are reading feels pushy or judgmental, that may be a sign that the source is a little fishy.
Key points
- Sexual health resources come in all shapes and sizes.
- If sexual health information or communications are provided by a sexual health clinic, coalition, or office, it is likely these can be a trusted resource.
- Be aware of AI and misinformation across the board. If you feel uneasy, it’s likely you are right.
- Some of the best places to find evidence-based sexual health information is SMSNA (this website!) and our affiliate societies: International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (Prosayla), and American Urological Association (AUA).
- Always speak with a sexual healthcare professional if your concerns are urgent or distressing.
Resources
Courtenay, T., & Baraitser, P. (2022). Improving online clinical sexual and reproductive health information to support self-care: A realist review. DIGITAL HEALTH, 8, 205520762210844. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221084465
Ezeamii, V. C., Okobi, O. E., Wambai-Sani, H., Perera, G., Zaynieva, S., Okonkwo, C. C., Ohaiba, M. M., William-Enemali, P. C., Obodo, O., & Obiefuna, N. G. (2024). Revolutionizing Healthcare: How Telemedicine is improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.63881
King, A. J., Bilardi, J. E., Towns, J. M., Maddaford, K., Fairley, C. K., Chow, E. P., & Phillips, T. R. (2024). User views on online sexual health symptom Checker Tool: Qualitative Research. JMIR Formative Research, 8. https://doi.org/10.2196/54565
Latt, P. M., Aung, E. T., Htaik, K., Soe, N. N., Lee, D., King, A. J., Fortune, R., Ong, J. J., Chow, E. P., Bradshaw, C. S., Rahman, R., Deneen, M., Dobinson, S., Randall, C., Zhang, L., & Fairley, C. K. (2025). Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots for providing sexual health information: A consensus study using real-world clinical queries. BMC Public Health, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22933-8
Totten AM, McDonagh MS, Wagner JH. The Evidence Base for Telehealth: Reassurance in the Face of Rapid Expansion During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2020 May. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557174/U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Evaluating health information. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/evaluatinghealthinformation.html
Walsh-Buhi, E. R., Javidi, H., & Macapagal, K. (2025). Sexual health information online. Handbook of Children and Screens, 349–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_48You may also be interested in...
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