Low-Dose Pill Online Consultations Average 24 Minutes from Booking to Prescription! Completed in "About 1/4 the Time" of In-Person Gynecological Consultations

Clinic Fora Group (hereinafter referred to as Clinic Fora), which offers both in-person and online consultations, has combined the "Low-Dose Pill Online Consultation Usage Status Survey" (conducted in April 2026) targeting 259 online low-dose pill consultation users, and the "Menstrual Irregularity Endurance/Loss Status Survey" (conducted in March 2026) targeting 628 women aged 18-49 with menstrual irregularities. These surveys revealed that "inconvenience of commuting and time" is the biggest barrier to seeking medical attention, and that online consultations can solve this problem.

Among women who have menstrual irregularities but have not visited a gynecologist (n=410), many cited reasons related to convenience such as "inconvenient (32.7%)" and "no time (16.1%)". In fact, for women who have experienced in-person consultations at a general gynecological clinic (n=156), the average round-trip travel time was 37 minutes, and the time spent in the clinic from reception to consultation and payment was 45 minutes. For those who used a pharmacy (n=57), an additional average of 26 minutes was added, for a total of up to approximately 108 minutes.

On the other hand, the average actual time required for Clinic Fora's online consultations, from booking to consultation and payment, was 24 minutes (n=212). This was found to be about 1/4 the time compared to in-person consultations (travel + in-clinic + pharmacy).

How the saved time was used (n=130) included "rest" at 58.5%, "household chores" at 54.6%, "hobbies/leisure" at 43.8%, and "work" at 40.0%.

Based on these results, it is expected that the mainstream approach in the future will be to leverage the strengths of both online and in-person consultations, and to choose and combine them wisely according to individual lifestyles and needs.

[Survey Summary]

1 Despite menstrual irregularities, consultations are postponed due to "convenience barriers" such as lack of time.

2 Average time required for in-person consultations at a general gynecological clinic: up to 108 minutes including travel + in-clinic + pharmacy.

3 Average time for online consultations is 24 minutes: about 1/3 of in-person consultations.

4 The top use of saved time is "rest (58.5%)" - reducing the burden of commuting leads to time to care for oneself.

Survey Result 1 Despite menstrual irregularities, consultations are postponed due to "convenience barriers" such as lack of time.

65.3% have not visited a gynecologist despite having menstrual irregularity concerns.

Of the 628 women with concerns about menstrual irregularities, it was revealed that 65.3% (410 women) are currently not visiting a gynecologist. This figure was 24.8% (156 women) for in-person consultations and 9.9% (62 women) for online consultations.

Reasons for not seeking consultation include "getting used to symptoms" and temporal "convenience barriers."

When asked about the reasons for not visiting a gynecologist among the 410 women, the top reason was "I'm used to it because it's a regular occurrence (41.7%)", followed by "I think the symptoms are at a tolerable level (39.0%)", indicating a reality where enduring discomfort has become routine.

Furthermore, the total number of people who answered "I don't have time to go to the medical institution (16.1%)" or "It's a hassle to go (32.7%)" was 48.8%, indicating that temporal "convenience barriers" are a hurdle to seeking medical attention.

Despite recognizing menstrual irregularities, 43.4% postpone consultations for "1 year or more."

When asked about the period of not seeking consultation after recognizing menstrual irregularities, excluding those who answered "I have no intention of seeking consultation," 43.4% had not taken the step to consult for "1 year or more." This result highlights the dilemma of modern women who are forced to leave their discomfort untreated for several years while postponing it due to "it's tolerable" or "commuting is difficult."

(n=410)

Survey Result 2 Average time required for in-person consultations at a general gynecological clinic: up to 108 minutes including travel + in-clinic + pharmacy.

In-person consultations require a significant amount of time, "1.5 hours or more."

When 156 women who had experienced in-person gynecological consultations were asked about the time required for each phase, the average travel time (round trip) was 37 minutes, and the average time spent in the clinic (waiting time, consultation, and payment) was 45 minutes, totaling an average of 82 minutes. Furthermore, for those who used a pharmacy (n=57), an average of 26 minutes was added for travel and picking up medication at the pharmacy, bringing the total to approximately 108 minutes (1 hour and 48 minutes).

While this is the time necessary for a thorough consultation with a doctor in person, the difficulty of securing this "1.5 to nearly 2 hours" of uninterrupted time in a busy daily life seems to be a physical hurdle that leads to postponing consultations.

Survey Result 3 Average time for online consultations is 24 minutes: about 1/4 of in-person consultations.

With just a smartphone during spare moments. A new option with zero travel and waiting time.

Of the 250 Clinic Fora online consultation users, the results from 212 respondents who answered about the "total time for booking, pre-consultation questionnaire, doctor's consultation, and payment" averaged 24 minutes. Since there is no travel time or waiting time in the clinic, consultations can be utilized during small gaps in daily life.

Compared to the average 82 minutes for in-person consultations (travel + in-clinic) or the maximum of approximately 108 minutes including the pharmacy, online consultations are completed in an average of 24 minutes. This is about 1/3 of the time for in-person consultations, and about 1/4 or less when compared to consultations including the pharmacy. This demonstrates the ease with which even women who have postponed consultations due to "lack of time" can incorporate it into their schedules without difficulty.

Towards an environment where one can "act immediately after realizing a concern." Over half of women consult within one month.

When 250 Clinic Fora online consultation users were asked about the period from wanting to "improve their menstrual concerns" to actually booking an online consultation, 54.8% moved to book within one month, and 74.0% (about 3 out of 4 people) booked within three months. In Survey Result 1, it was revealed that "43.4% have been postponing consultations for over a year" due to the high traditional hurdles. This suggests that the ease of online consultations lowers the psychological barrier to seeking medical attention and leads to a shorter period of enduring discomfort.

Reason for choosing online consultation: 1st place "Medication delivered to home / no need to commute" 75.2%

The reasons for choosing online consultations were dominated by items related to time and convenience, with "Medication delivered to home / no need to commute (75.2%)" ranking first. Items such as "Can book anytime 24 hours a day (44.0%)" and "No waiting time / completed during spare moments (43.6%)" indicate a strong demand for a system that allows for health management without disrupting one's lifestyle.

(Respondents: 250 Clinic Fora online consultation users (multiple responses))

Survey Result 4 The top use of saved time is "rest (58.5%)" - reducing the burden of commuting leads to time to care for oneself.

When asked how the "travel and waiting time that would have been spent if an in-person consultation had been attended" was used due to online consultations, the top answer was "rest (lying down, relaxing, sleeping, etc.)" (58.5%).

This was followed by "household chores (cooking, laundry, cleaning, etc.)" (54.6%), "hobbies/leisure" (43.8%), and "work" (40.0%). For women with menstrual irregularities, the travel and waiting time associated with commuting can also be a physical burden. Reducing this burden (time loss) through online consultations not only streamlines schedules but also provides women with "precious time to rest their bodies and care for themselves without overexertion during times of discomfort," as revealed by the actual situation.

(Respondents: 130 Clinic Fora online consultation users (multiple responses))

[Comment from Clinic Fora Supervising Physician]

This survey has once again revealed that many women who suffer from menstrual irregularities postpone seeking medical attention due to reasons such as "inconvenience" and "lack of time." Irregular menstrual cycles significantly impact daily quality of life (QOL), and leaving discomfort untreated can lead to the unconscious accumulation of stress.

Controlling the cycle using methods such as low-dose pills can be an option for regulating one's daily rhythm and maintaining mental well-being.

It is important to first consult with a specialist for discomforts that make one think, "It's not bad enough to go to the hospital" or "I can just endure it."

Online consultations allow you to consult with a doctor from the comfort of your home without the burden of travel or waiting time. Furthermore, to correctly understand your health status and detect hidden illnesses early, try to undergo regular check-ups (such as gynecological exams) once a year.

We hope this will be an opportunity for those who have been postponing consultations to take a step towards caring for their bodies.

* Regarding the use of low-dose pills, individual differences exist in their effectiveness, efficacy, and side effects. It is possible to use them with greater peace of mind by carefully checking your physical condition and risks under the guidance of a doctor.

[About Low-Dose Pills]

~ An option to regulate physical and mental discomfort due to menstruation and live life to the fullest ~

Low-dose pills are medications that combine two types of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Once a month, the brain sends a signal to the ovaries to promote ovulation, but by taking the pill, the amount of female hormones in the body is stabilized, suppressing the brain's ovulation signal and stopping ovulation.

Their effects are not only for contraception but also expected to improve menstrual pain, menstrual volume, and menstrual irregularities, as well as alleviate PMS. Furthermore, improvements in acne and skin problems, as well as preventive effects against ovarian and endometrial cancer, have been reported.

* Reference: Ovarian cancer and oral contraceptives (Lancet. 2008 Jan 26;371(9609):303-14.)

Guidebook to Starting Pills

This guide covers everything from basic knowledge that beginners want to know first to advice for resolving concerns and questions after taking the pill, providing necessary information for a comfortable pill life.

[About Clinic Fora's Online Pill Prescription]

Online Pill Consultation (Out-of-Pocket Payment)

Clinic Fora's online pill consultations can be accessed from your preferred location, such as home, and medication is delivered to your home mailbox. You can use this service with peace of mind even when you are too busy to visit a medical institution for in-person consultations.

Additionally, since both in-person and online consultations are offered, you can choose the option that suits your convenience.

<Features of In-Person Consultations>

- Promoting medical DX at all clinics to reduce waiting times and improve appointment availability.

<Features of Online Pill Consultations>

- Completed online! Busy individuals can use their spare time.

It's easy as the entire process from consultation booking to prescription is completed with just a smartphone.

Consultations are available weekdays from 7 AM to 12 AM, and also on weekends, making it a strong ally for your healthcare needs.

* Consultation hours may vary by day, including weekends and holidays.

- Speedy medication delivery!

Medication is shipped as early as the same day*1 and delivered to your home mailbox the next day*2.

*1 Generally applies to those who complete payment by 4 PM on the same day of consultation, but may be excluded depending on consultation hours and delivery area. *2 For Nekoposu service.

- Over 9 million consultations*3. Consultations by doctors at Clinic Fora Group provide peace of mind.

Doctors who also provide insurance-based medical care will carefully consult with you, addressing your concerns.

Furthermore, we pursue the widest range of pills available in Japan, offering 11 types.

We prescribe pills tailored to each individual based on their physical condition and lifestyle.

*3 As of April 2020 - April 2026. Our clinic's online consultation records (including medication shipping records. In cases of consolidated shipping, the number of shipments before consolidation is used for calculation).

* Out-of-pocket payment.

* In-person consultations may be recommended.

* Medication may not be prescribed based on the doctor's judgment.

* Consultation fees are 1,650 yen per session. However, for follow-up consultations for patients who have completed at least one payment through Clinic Fora's online consultations (both out-of-pocket and insurance-based) in the past, the online out-of-pocket follow-up consultation fee (usually 1,650 yen) will automatically be "0 yen." (Insurance-based consultation fees are subject to charges for both initial and follow-up visits).

* Take once daily. Main side effects (lower abdominal pain, irregular bleeding, breast tenderness or pain, headache, nausea or drowsiness) usually subside within a few months of starting. Please check our clinic's website for details.

* Effectiveness, efficacy, and side effects may vary by individual. Please consult a doctor and follow the prescribed treatment method.

[Survey Overview]

[1 "Low-Dose Pill Online Consultation Usage Status Survey" Overview] - Target: 259 female users of Clinic Fora's online low-dose pill consultations (n=259) - Survey Period: April 2026 - Survey Method: Internet survey

[2 "Menstrual Irregularity Endurance/Loss Status Survey" Overview] - Target: 628 women aged 18-49 with concerns about menstrual irregularities (n=628) - Survey Period: March 27, 2026 - March 30, 2026 - Survey Method: Internet survey (Neo Marketing)

* When citing survey results, please include the annotation "Surveyed by Clinic Fora." * Details of survey 2 are released separately as "Menstrual Irregularity Endurance/Loss Status Survey Parts 1, 2, and 3." * Figures in percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding of decimal points. * Range answers are calculated by converting to the median.