Meet Medical Provider Kelsey Henschel
Nurx medical provider Kelsey Henschel is a Physician Assistant with a specialty on OB-GYN care. She lives in Aledo, TX with her husband and three daughters, and when she’s not caring for Nurx patients she enjoys planting in her garden and living that “dance mom” life. We asked Kelsey to share all the things she thinks Nurx patients should know.
What do you wish every patient knew about taking care of themselves?
Knowledge is power! The more you know about your health, the better you can take care of yourself and, when it comes to sex, your partner.
What are some myths you’ve heard from patients and had to debunk?
That birth control causes infertility—it doesn’t! You can get pregnant immediately after you stop birth control, which is why you need to take your pill consistently every day.
That having a sexually transmitted infection is a sign of promiscuity. It isn’t! You can catch an STI even if you’ve had sex once.
Douching after intercourse would prevent you from getting a STI. This is 100% inaccurate and douching in general is not recommended because it can upset the vagina’s natural balance of bacteria. Having a healthy vaginal flora or “good bacteria” helps defend the body against urogenital infections.
What do you think patients worry too much about?
I believe many individuals are concerned about being judged by healthcare providers and this is simply not the case, we are here to help.
What do you think patients worry too little about?
Preventive care, It is important to go to wellness exams and take control of your health.
What is something important that people can do to take care of their sexual health?
Get STI tested and use condoms! Don’t be embarrassed about STI testing — knowing your status is an important part of your sexual health.
What health advice would you give your younger self if you could?
Always wear sunscreen! I wish I would have used sunscreen regularly in the past to help reduce sunspots and signs of aging I’m experiencing now in my mid-30’s. Using sunscreen regularly now helps protect me against visible signs of aging and reduces my cancer risks. Never too late to start!
What do you wish more people knew about telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a safe and effective way to get healthcare and provides a safe environment which I believe allows patients to be more honest about their health history and questions they may have. Many patients open up and discuss concerns about birth control, sex, and transmitting infections. Our platform allows for open communication even after initial consultation. If a patient is home and thinks of a question all they have to do is just jump on an app and type their questions versus a traditional doctor’s office where there may not be an easy way to reach out to a provider. By giving patients ongoing access to a medical provider from their phones, telemedicine services like Nurx take a lot of the stress and procrastination out of taking care of yourself.
This blog provides information about telemedicine, health and related subjects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be construed as a substitute for, medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or person with a medical concern should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of Nurx™.