VirtualMed Iowa

Answering Patient Question of the Week below!

- Do I really need an annual physical?

Yes! Annual physicals help catch health concerns early, keep you up to date on screenings, and give you time to discuss any changes or questions. Prevention is always easier than treatment.

- How often should I have blood work done?

It depends on your age, health history, medications, and risk factors. Some people need labs every year, while others don't. The goal is to order the right labs not unnecessary ones.

- What's the difference between urgent care and primary care?

Urgent care treats one-time illnesses or injuries. Primary care focuses on your long-term health by preventing disease, managing chronic conditions, and getting to know you over time.

- What are the first signs of perimenopause?

Common signs include irregular periods, poor sleep, hot flashes, mood changes, brain fog, and weight changes. Symptoms can start years before menopause.

- What's the difference between a Pap smear and a pelvic exam?

A Pap smear screens for cervical cancer. A pelvic exam checks the health of your reproductive organs. They're different tests but are often done during the same visit.

- Do I still need a Pap smear if I feel healthy?

Yes! Pap smears are meant to find changes before symptoms develop. Feeling healthy is exactly why routine screening is so important.

- How do I know if my hormones are changing?

Changes like irregular periods, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, poor sleep, and brain fog can all be signs. If something feels different and lingers, it's worth talking about.

- Is weight gain during menopause inevitable?

Not inevitable but can be common. Hormonal changes can make it easier to gain weight, but healthy habits and the right plan can make a big difference.

- Are hot flashes something I just have to live with?

No. There are several treatment options that can help. You don't have to simply "deal with it."

- Can my primary care provider manage menopause, or do I need a specialist?

Menopause isn't a major focus in every primary care practice, but it's a big part of what we do at VirtualMed Iowa. From your first symptoms through postmenopause, we're here to help you understand your options and feel like yourself again.
------------
Thank you!

Call now to connect with business.

Need labs? We can take care of that right here at VirtualMed Iowa. 🩸

Instead of making another stop for lab work, many labs can be completed right here DURING your appointment!

Whether it's:
• Annual wellness labs
• Hormone-related labs
• Pediatric labs
• Sick visit testing
• Or many other common lab orders
..we're able to do many of them right here in our clinic.

It's one more way we try to make healthcare a little simpler for busy individuals and families.

📍 VirtualMed Iowa
2610 Northridge Pkwy, Suite 103
Ames, IA 50010
515-520-8365

Healthcare shouldn't feel disconnected.
It should feel more like this:

One place for your annual exam.

One place for questions about hormones.

One place when you're sick.

One place for labs.

One place that knows your story.

When your healthcare is connected, it's easier to see the whole picture and that's often where the best answers are found.

🇺🇸 Holiday Closure Reminder

VirtualMed Iowa will be closed Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

During this time, phones and patient portal messages will not be monitored or answered.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend! 🇺🇸

🚧 Road Construction Reminder! 🚧

If you have an appointment with us, please allow an extra 10 minutes for travel.

Road construction on Stange Rd and Bloomington Rd has been causing unexpected delays, and we'd love to keep everyone on schedule.

Thank you for planning ahead. We appreciate it and look forward to seeing you! 💜

She was convinced her hormones were off.

She was in her 40s, exhausted all the time, struggling to get through the afternoon without another cup of coffee, brain-fog to the max, waking up tired, and just feeling like she just wasn't herself anymore.

She had already done what most of us would do...

She Googled her symptoms.

Everything pointed to hormones.

And honestly? It made sense. Perimenopause was on her mind, and so were all the stories she'd been hearing from friends.

But when we dug a little deeper and ordered the right labs...

It actually was not her hormones.

Her iron levels were very low.

That one finding explained far more than she expected. Once we addressed it, her energy started coming back. She quickly felt more like herself again.

This is exactly why we don't believe in guessing.

Hormones absolutely matter. We help women through perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, and other hormone-related concerns every single day.

But hormones are only one piece of the puzzle.

Sometimes it's iron.
Sometimes it's your thyroid.
Sometimes it's vitamin deficiencies.
Sometimes it's poor sleep, stress, or another medical condition.
And sometimes... it really is your hormones.

The point is, your symptoms deserve more than assumptions.

At VirtualMed Iowa, we start by listening. We ask questions. We order labs when appropriate. Then we build a plan around what's actually going on... not what's trending online or what helped your neighbor.

Because great healthcare isn't one-size-fits-all. It should be personalized.

VIRTUALMED IOWA
2610 Northridge Pkwy
Suite 103
Ames, IA
515-520-8365

When was your child's last well child exam?

Between vacations, camps, sports, and everything else on the calendar... now is a great time to schedule your child's well child exam.

At VirtualMed Iowa, you'll see the same provider who gets to know your child and your family.

We offer well child exams, sick visits, and telehealth appointments when appropriate.

Call us or book online to reserve your spot this summer.

VIRTUALMED IOWA
2610 Northridge Pkwy
Suite 103
Ames, IA

We're grateful for every patient who trusts us with their healthcare journey. 💜

Now scheduling summer Sports Physicals and Well Child Exams ☀️

Wow… is it summer already?

This is your reminder to get your child’s yearly wellness visit or sports physical scheduled before summer calendars fill up and back-to-school activities start rolling in.

Last summer this kept us BUSY… and availability became limited quickly.

At VirtualMed Iowa, these visits are simple and convenient. Appointments are covered by insurance but we also offer affordable cash pay options if needed.

Sports physicals are a great time to:
• complete required school/sports forms
• check growth and development
• ask questions
• review overall health before a busy school year

We are accepting new patients and would love to help make this process easier for families.

Call us to schedule or hop on our website for online scheduling before spots become limited.

VIRTUALMED IOWA
2610 Northridge Pkwy
Suite 103
Ames, IA

The way getting into your P*P should feel...

Our patients love being able to book online, get answers faster, and schedule simple visits without waiting months to be seen.

Modern, personalized care built around your busy life.

Now accepting new patients at VirtualMed Iowa.