Practo 
In a country where conversations around health have traditionally been cloaked in silence, a remarkable evolution is taking place. A transformative shift is dismantling barriers and encouraging open dialogue on a once-taboo subject: sexual health. Practo, India’s leading digital healthcare company, insights revealed a 200% increase in consultations (both in-person and online) on sexual health in the last five* years. Based on data collected from 2,18,000 users the insights showcased a proactive attitude towards sexual healthcare.
Key Highlights from the Practo Insights
Explosive Growth in consultations and transition to online consultation:
- Online consultations have grown 8x in the last 5 years*
- Share of online consultation to total consultations (in-person + online) has gone from 22% in 2017 to 70% in 2022*
- Further analysis of city trends for online consultations share showcased a significant rise*;
- In Bangalore, online consultations accounted for 68% of total consultations in 2022 as compared to 3% in 2017; similarly
- In Chennai, online consultations accounted for 47% in 2022 as compared to 1% in 2017
- Delhi accounted for 82% in 2022 as compared to 3% in 2017
- Hyderabad accounted for 57% in 2022 as compared to 6% in 2017
- Mumbai accounted for 60% in 2022 as compared to 7% in 2017
- Pune accounted for 41% in 2022 as compared to 1% in 2017
- T2 cities accounted for 84% in 2022 compared to 68% in 2017
- This transition to online consultations underscores the increasing comfort of patients with seeking private and convenient advice from healthcare professionals
City Wise contribution of online consultations
Among T1 cities Bangalore contributed to the largest number of online consultations in 2022** at 45% followed by;
- Delhi at 21%
- Mumbai at 13%
- Pune 7%
- Hyderabad at 10%
- Chennai at 4%
- Top 5 tier 2 cities preferring online consultation include Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore
Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer, Practo commented on the findings, “During the pandemic, online consultations emerged as a pillar of support for the healthcare ecosystem ensuring access to quality patient care. And since then it has gained widespread adoption. The benefit of telehealth that enables patients to securely connect with doctors 24*7*365 and the ability to discuss conditions in privacy within patients’ own safe space are some of the key reasons for preference of online consultations for sexual health, dermatology and psychiatry. Additionally, the availability of doctors who speak the same language as the patients, helps patients express more freely. These insights are reflective of the potential of digital health and the impact it can create to empower patients to take control of their own health.”
Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Sexologist, Venereologist & HIV Specialist, shared his view on the insights, “In the realm of sexual health consultations, a notable surge has occurred over the past year or two. Male individuals, often grappling with erectile dysfunction, are exhibiting an openness to address various interconnected issues, including vitamin deficiencies and the consequences of remote work. Sedentary lifestyles, vitamin imbalances, and diminished outdoor activities have amplified these concerns. This rising trend extends to diverse orientations, potentially influenced by evolving societal acceptance. A remarkable shift from reluctance to open discussions characterizes this surge, marking a doubling or even tripling increase over the past 4-5 years, further intensified post-lockdown.”
The surge in sexual health consultations represents a profound evolution in the way Indians approach their sexual well-being. The substantial increase in consultations online across cities indicates that awareness and access to healthcare services are spreading to regions across the country. This shift underscores the growing acceptance of online platforms as safe spaces for seeking confidential advice on intimate health matters.
