How AI is Impacting Sexual Health
AI is everywhere. It's even in the bedroom. Scary huh? Well, not always. While there's still a lot to be untapped with the technology, artificial intelligence is becoming an important tool in the world of health and wellness.
While there is hesitance surrounding AI, there's no denying it's changing our lives. Like with most new technology, artificial intelligence has its obvious pros and a few things we should consider before embracing it without question.
As our society is adopting to it, it's time to educate ourselves on what kind of capabilities and influence AI holds.
The Benefits of AI in Health
Personalized Treatment Plans:
AI can analyze a patient's medical history and current condition to suggest personalized treatment plans. This approach ensures that patients receive the most effective and appropriate care.
Predictive Modeling: Researchers use AI to develop predictive models that forecast the spread of infection, the effectiveness of treatments, and the impact of educational interventions. According to this UPenn Engineering Blog, “By leveraging machine learning algorithms, AI can analyze medical imaging, genomic data and clinical records to detect and predict disease outcomes with precision.” These tools can be used to help identify early onset symptoms of things such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (SITs) and Erectile Dysfunction.
Accessibility to Health Resources: With chatbots and telemedicine becoming more widely adopted by major companies, AI can provide an important tool for folks who have health questions but may not be able to get to a specialist. While the technology is not advanced enough to be in place of a doctor, chatbots and programs offering telemedicine can help answer health related questions. This is especially beneficial for individuals in remote areas or those who may feel stigmatized seeking help in person.
Improving Diagnosing: AI is also enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of sexual health issues, with hopes to make healthcare more accurate and efficient. AI algorithms analyze medical data to identify patterns and predict the likelihood of disease and infections. Early detection enables timely treatment, reducing the spread of infections.
AI and Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction:
Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It can result from various factors, including physical conditions (such as disease and hormonal imbalances), psychological issues (such as stress, anxiety, and depression), or a combination of a few.
According to data from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing, about 24.2% of men in the U.S. experience ED. And with advances in artificial intelligence, health care workers hope that number can decrease.
AI algorithms can analyze large datasets from electronic health records (EHRs) to identify patterns and risk factors associated with ED. By examining data such as age, medical history, medication use, and lifestyle factors, AI can predict the likelihood of a patient developing ED. This predictive capability allows for earlier intervention and personalized treatment plans.
Organizations using AI Technology:
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood has integrated AI into their services through a chatbot named Roo. Designed to answer questions about sexual health, relationships, and puberty in a confidential manner Roo is available 24/7. The chatbot being accessible and accurate is set to provide young people with factual and non-judgmental information, helping to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and individuals seeking advice.
Healthvana
Healthvana is a digital health platform that uses AI to improve patient engagement and outcomes, particularly in the context of sexual health. The platform provides personalized reminders for patients to get tested for STIs, follow up on test results, and adhere to treatment plans. Healthvana's AI-driven approach helps ensure that patients receive timely information and support aiming to reduce the spread of STIs.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The CDC employs AI and machine learning to analyze large datasets related to sexual health. This analysis helps in identifying patterns and trends in STI outbreaks, which can inform public health interventions and policy decisions. The use of AI enables the CDC to respond more quickly and effectively to emerging sexual health issues.
Considerations We Should Keep in Mind:
Privacy: With the rise of AI in such vital areas of our lives such as healthcare, ensuring the confidentiality and security of users' data is paramount. We must request our providers take every step possible to keep our personal information private and protected.
Bias: If not properly created and managed, AI algorithms can perpetuate existing biases, according to the CDC. It's crucial to develop and train AI systems using diverse datasets to ensure fairness and inclusivity, especially when marginalized communities have historically been victims of negligence in healthcare.
Patient Autonomy: As discussed before, AI should complement, not replace, the clinician-patient relationship. Patients should be informed about how AI tools are used in their diagnosis and have the opportunity to discuss findings with their healthcare provider.
Sources:
https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/21/4/296/7614307
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/15/11/370
https://roo.plannedparenthood.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/data-modernization/technologies/ai-ml.html
https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/data-modernization/snapshot/2022-snapshot/stories/ai-impact-health-equity.html
