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What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It is prevalent among young people between the ages of 15-24 and is transmitted through vaginal, oral and anal sex.  Gonorrhea can present asymptomatically, resulting in the increased spread of this STI and, if left untreated, can lead to infertility in women.  Gonorrhea can cause symptoms in the genitals, anus or throat and symptoms may present differently based on gender.  The World Health Organization (WHO) states that in 2020 there were an estimated 82.4 million new infections among adults globally.  So how do we reduce this number?

Signs & Symptoms

As mentioned, gonorrhea can often present without symptoms. This is problematic because without testing to confirm its presence, the infection is then spread unknowingly. So testing is a critical component of stopping the spread of gonorrhea. If symptoms are present,  they can vary as to how they present between genders. The WHO lists the symptoms as:

In men, common symptoms may include the following:

• pain or burn when urinating
• a white, yellow or greenish discharge from the penis
• painful or swollen testes

Although most women with gonorrhea do not have symptoms or do not notice them, if they do present, they can include the following:

• pain or burning when urinating
• vaginal discharge
• vaginal bleeding between periods or during sexual intercourse

Anal infections may present in any gender as the following:

• discharge
• bleeding
• itchiness
• soreness
• painful bowel movements.

Throat infections are often asymptomatic. Otherwise, they may just present as a cold with pain, redness and a sore throat.

Treatment

Gonorrhea is one of the treatable and generally curable STIs. Yet it continues to rise. In 2021 a total of 710,151 cases of gonorrhea were reported, making it the second most common STD in the U.S. The CDC noted that rates of gonorrhea have increased 118% since a historic low in 2009.

Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics as it is bacterial in nature.  The biggest issue that has arisen over the years is that gonorrhea is becoming resistant to the medications available, resulting in less options for treatment.  This awareness has at least been the impetus behind the testing of new drugs to help treat this STI.  

Prevention

Condoms continue to offer the one of the most effective methods of prevention as long as they are used consistently and correctly for anal and vaginal sexual activity.  Oral barriers (aka dams) are the most effective prevention method for any oral/anal or oral/vaginal sexual activity when used consistently and correctly.

Another effective prevention path is through communication. Talk with your sexual partners about using condoms and dams, ask about testing and their health status, and be open about yours.  Although these conversations may seem daunting at first, discussing one’s health, any aspect of it, needs to be normalized. Removing the stigma and shame surrounding STIs and sexual wellness will aid in the transmission of the infections and normalize prevention activities.

And lastly, education needs to be expanded to include sexual health and wellness for all to increase the awareness of the prevention and treatment options available.  Increasing awareness, normalizing sexual health, and communicating and offering treatment and prevention options to all demographics, specifically any vulnerable demographics, will provide the necessary information and awareness of preventative options.

All aspects of our health are intertwined. Sexual health can impact one’s physical health, emotional health, mental health, and reproductive health.  Sexual health needs to be recognized as an integral part of our wellness so that everyone can make informed and comprehensive decisions.

Syphilis is one of the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by bacteria. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems; however, treatment is available with antibiotics. Yet cases of syphilis are on the rise in USA.

From 2018 to 2022, reported cases rose 80% in the U.S. In 2022, cases of congenital syphilis among newborns were 10 times higher than in 2012, at 3,700 cases. The increase in case numbers is alarming.  What, then, needs to be done to reverse the rising rates of syphilis?

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.  It is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex.  It is highly contagious when sores or the rash are present and can cause permanent damage without treatment.  It can also present asymptomatically and, therefore, be spread unknowingly, even through the sharing of sex toys.  This is why testing for syphilis and any STI is so imperative for prevention and treatment. 

Testing for Syphilis

Testing for syphilis is either a simple blood test or swab of a sore or chancre.  It is both easy to test and then to treat with antibiotics.  It is very important that you tell your sexual partners if you test positive so that they may get tested as well. In 2018 there were over 113,000 cases of syphilis in the US. And as of 2022 this number has almost doubled to over 200,000 cases.   This increase has also resulted in the resurgence of congenital syphilis, where the bacteria responsible for causing syphilis are passed through the placenta to a developing fetus.  The CDC states that the most alarming concerns center around the syphilis and congenital syphilis epidemics, signaling an urgent need for swift innovation and collaboration from all STI prevention partners.

Prevention

As with all STIs, the only absolute way to prevent transmission is to abstain from any sexual activity.  But there are things that can be done to help reduce the risk of transmission when engaging in sexual activity.

• Get tested regularly, after new sexual partners or if a condom or barrier breaks during use
• Use a Dam (Oral Barrier) every time you have oral/vaginal or oral/sex
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex
• Don’t share sex toys or clean them before sharing
• Condoms should be used to cover the penis during oral sex
• Talk with your sexual partners about both of your sexual health

Some of the biggest roadblocks in prevention are the following:

• Removing the stigma surrounding STIs
• Increasing awareness of testing and treatment options
• Navigating socio-economic barriers for ease of access to healthcare options
• Having health practitioners integrate screening for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections into routine medical care

Next Steps

The good news is that syphilis is both preventable and treatable.  So, what are next steps to make sure the messages surrounding prevention and treatment are shared across the nation?  A recent John Hopkins article states the following:

“We have good diagnostics, we know how it’s transmitted, there’s no animal reservoir, and we know how to treat it. 

But there are wider public health challenges. Screening is inadequate: While some women get routinely tested for STIs at their annual exam, men are far less likely to get routine screenings. And because many people with syphilis have no symptoms, they won’t seek out screening. Plus, many at-risk patients don’t have access to health care, and a lot of sexual health clinics have closed over the last decade.

Also, the stigma of STIs doesn’t just happen from the patient side, it also comes from clinicians —many physicians think, “my patient doesn’t have syphilis.”

Finding patients’ partners has also become more difficult in the online dating era—partners are often identified with an online handle, not a physical location.”

We need to take a multi-faceted and cooperative approach to address the current public health crisis that the US is experiencing with the growing numbers of syphilis.

Herpes is a highly contagious virus. It is a chronic infection that stays with you for life, and you can experience outbreaks throughout your entire life after infection. There are many different types of the Herpes Virus in the world that humans can carry and transmit. Most people are aware of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 – otherwise referred to as oral herpes and genital herpes.  So maybe that blister is not “just” a cold sore.

What is Oral Herpes?

Oral Herpes is the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1(HSV-1).  Oral Herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth. However, as with several STIs, many people do not have any symptoms. Several people with oral herpes were inadvertently infected during childhood or young adulthood from non-sexual contact with saliva. Although a different strain of the Herpes Virus, Oral Herpes can cause genital herpes.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital Herpes is the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2).  Genital Herpes is transmitted as the result of the unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone infected with Herpes Simplex 1 or 2.  Because some people can be asymptomatic, they are unaware that they are spreading this virus.  Genital Herpes can be spread through direct contact with a herpes sore, contact with the saliva of an oral herpes infection or genital discharges from a genital herpes infection.  Skin to skin contact with either an oral herpes infection or genital herpes infection can also cause transmission of the virus; therefore, you do not have to engage in penetration or oral sex to pass along the virus.  And you can even get herpes from a partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected.

Symptoms of Herpes

Again, many people are not even aware that they have Herpes.  Symptoms can be very mild or even absent. But the virus is still there! 

Symptoms of Herpes may include:

• Females -Blisters may appear inside the vagina, on the vulva, thighs, buttocks, or anus
• Males - Blisters may appear on the penis, scrotum, thighs, buttocks, or anus
• The blisters can bleed easily
• Fever, pain in the joints and flu-like symptoms may present
• Pain with urination
• Itching or tingling
• Enlarged or tender lymph nodes

Many people mistake some of the symptoms for the flu.  This results in a lack of testing and treatment to help curb the spread of Herpes.  

Testing and Treatment

Testing for Herpes is a simple swab of the blisters.  There is no cure for Herpes. Herpes is a chronic infection that needs to be properly managed.  Medicated creams help with the pain and healing of the blisters.  Outbreak frequency changes with each person.  For some, it is monthly, and a small minority never have more than their initial one.  Many people find they have a trigger that can precipitate their outbreaks.  Stress, menstruation, illness, fatigue, and sunlight are a few common triggers.

Prevention

As with all STIs, the only absolute way to prevent transmission is to abstain from sexual activity.  But there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of transmission when engaging in sexual activity.

• Practice safer sex EVERY time
• Don’t have oral sex if you have an active cold sore
• Use a Dam (Oral Barrier) every time you have oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex (But note that condoms do not protect from contact of skin not covered with the condom)
• Don’t share sex toys with an infected partner
• Condoms should be used to cover the penis during oral sex
• Get tested regularly, after new sexual partners or if a condom or barrier breaks during use

Long-term Effects

Herpes is a virus that stays with you for life. It can create an outbreak at any time.  The sores that result from genital herpes can bleed very easily.  This can make you more susceptible to other sexually transmitted infections as well, including HIV.

Genital Herpes can also impact an unborn child during pregnancy.  The virus can pass to your child before birth or during delivery. If you are in an active outbreak at the time of delivery, a caesarean section is often performed to avoid transmission.

It is imperative that you communicate with your sexual partners that you have the Herpes virus to ensure precautions are taken to help lessen the possibility of transmission. And you need to always remember that even with an absence of symptoms you can still infect your partners.

Summary

Your sexual health and well-being are extremely important.  It is a critical component of your overall health.  Maintaining your sexual health is your responsibility.  Take care of all your parts!!!

Condoms

Condoms have been around for centuries in some form or another.  But the condoms of today are a lot different than the condoms of earlier years. Condoms have been made with animal horns, animal intestines, silk, tortoise shells, horns, linen, and many other types of materials.  The existence of condoms has been documented throughout history and can be found in cave drawings to literary excerpts.  But at the end of it all, condoms have been used to help prevent the transmission of infections throughout.

Types of Condoms

Condoms come in many different styles and types.  Gone are the days of just one option for style.  The first largely marketed condoms were in the early 1900s with the advent of latex rubber.  Around the 1930s there were 15 major condom manufacturers and they were producing roughly 1.5 million condoms daily, and selling them for $1.00/12 pack.  The first lubricated condoms were produced in the 1957.  Today you can choose between lubricated or non-lubricated condom options, although lubricated is by the far the more popular.  Condoms are available in latex, polyisoprene and polyurethane, or lambskin.  Lambskin condoms are not recommended for use as protection to lessen the transmission of STIs. 

Condom Styles

There is a condom style to meet everyone’s needs!  Condoms come in the following options:

• Straight walled
• Lubricated
• Colored
• Flavored
• Ribbed and Studded
• Glow in the Dark
• Tattooed
• Super Sensitive
• Extra Large
• Hyper Thin
• Snugger Fit
• Non-Lubricated
• Pleasure Shaped
• Tingling Condoms
• Edible Condoms

Most of today’s condoms are to be used for safer sex purposes but there are some that are strictly for enjoyment.  Make sure you know what you are using before you engage in any sexual activity. 

Condoms are Medical Devices

The term medical device referencess “any instrument, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent that's intended to treat, cure, prevent, mitigate, diagnose disease in man”. Medical devices all have their own license number and protocols to follow for distribution.  In the case of any issues, the devices can be traced through their device license and lot numbers.  Medical Devices can range from condoms to surgical tools, pacemakers to prescription medications. 

Condoms are a Class II medical device.  As such, they must follow regulatory guidelines for production and testing, packaging and labelling.  This is to ensure that they do what they are supposed to do!  Condoms are tested for their strength, tensile (stretching ability), burst tests, leakage, packaging integrity, and size.  Everything is documented and samples of each lot of condoms are kept for future testing if ever needed.  Condoms have their own ISO standards that need to be followed by all licensed manufacturers. ISO is the International Organization for Standardization, an international and non-government organization made up of national standards bodies that develops and publishes industrial and commercial standards. There is a lot of testing and science in the making of your condom, no matter what the type or style!!  Find the one that fits you and your lifestyle!!!!!

Syphilis & the Stages of Infection

Syphilis is an STI that presents in many different stages.  It can be asymptomatic to start but can develop into life threatening issues if left untreated.  How then do you know if you have syphilis???  You get tested regularly. Your sexual wellness is important to all aspects of your health and requires attention and prevention to maintain its wellness.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.  It is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal, and even oral sex.  It is highly contagious and can cause permanent damage without treatment.  Syphilis is spread from skin-to-skin contact by someone with a sore or chancre.  It is often spread unknowingly as not all infected individuals are aware of its presence. This is why testing for STIs is so important. 

Stages of Syphilis

There are four main stages of syphilis each with its own set of symptoms:  Primary, Secondary, Latent, and Tertiary.

Primary Stage:

• A sore or sores at the original site of infection.
• These sores can be found on or around the genitals, the anus or rectum, or in or around the mouth.
• These sores are usually firm, round, and painless.
• They heal within 3-6 weeks even without treatment

Secondary Stage:

• Skin rashes may appear on palms of hands and bottoms of feet.  They are not always itchy
• Mucous membrane lesions can appear in the mouth, anus, or vagina
• Can also have a fever, swollen lymph glands and sore throat
• Other symptoms may include patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and/or fatigue

Latent Stage:

• This stage is when you have no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis
• If you did not have any treatment, you can continue to have syphilis without any signs or symptoms for many years

Tertiary Stage:

• This is a rare stage but very serious. It presents with damage to organs and body systems
• This stage can result in death
•  

The different stages can all present with secondary complications from the systemic impact on one’s overall health.  These complications can present in many different ways dependent upon the stage of the infection.

Testing and Treatment

Testing for syphilis is simple with either a blood test or swab of a chancre.  Syphilis is easy to test and treatable with antibiotics.  It is very important that you tell your sexual partners if you test positive so that they may get tested as well.  According to the CDC reported cases of syphilis (all stages) have increased 74 percent since 2017, totaling more than 176,000 cases in 2021.

Prevention

As with all STIs, the only way to prevent transmission is to abstain from any sexual activity.  But there are things that can be done to help reduce the risk of transmission when engaging in sexual activity.

• Get tested regularly, after new sexual partners or if a condom or barrier breaks during use
• Use a Dam (Oral Barrier) every time you have oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex
• Don’t share sex toys or clean them before sharing
• Condoms should be used to cover the penis during oral sex
• Talk with your sexual partners about both of your sexual health

There are many ways to effectively help prevent the transmission of syphilis and maintain one’s sexual wellbeing. Using condoms and oral barriers, either latex and non-latex for those with allergies, are an important part of safer sex practices. Regular testing as needed is also a responsible and healthy practice to implement into one’s life.  Sexual health is important to maintain throughout all the stages of one’s life.

November 22 is National Dental Dam Day!  Dams, otherwise known as Oral Barriers, are gaining awareness for their important role in helping prevent STIs during oral sex.

What exactly is an oral barrier?   An oral barrier or dam is a sheet of latex or polyisoprene (non-latex) that is used as a barrier when performing oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex.  They are used to help reduce the transmission of infections that can occur during any oral sex activities.

Dental Dams vs Dams?

Dental Dams were originally used to isolate a tooth from the rest of the mouth during dental procedures.  They were, and still are for that purpose, a simple 5- or 6-inch square sheet.  Folks began to use them as a barrier during oral sex as they were a better option than cling wrap or cut up condoms (neither of which meet the regulatory requirements)!  But these were not exactly conducive to the sensual aspect of oral sex due to their thickness nor met regulatory standards as an oral barrier due to their smaller size.  Enter today’s oral barrier! 

Why Give a Dam?

The late 1980s saw an increased openness in speaking about sexual wellness, safer sex practices, and sexuality in general. And more people started asking about dams.  The sheer number of STIs and the continually growing rates around the world today necessitate a variety of safer sex products.  Oral Barriers are definitely an important part of safer sex practices. 

It is also extremely important that you use a dam that meets the ISO 29942 Standards for Dams.  Yes, there is a comprehensive regulatory ISO Standard regarding dams that includes proper sizing, viral barrier testing, biocompatibility testing, tear and tensile testing and a number of other requirements.  Nobody wants to, or should have to, worry that any product being used for safer sex practices is not going to do what it should.  And in order for that to be the case it is imperative to make sure the products you use, specifically condoms and dams, are fully licensed by your country’s governing body. 

Dams that are for oral sex have a set of requirements that must be met for proper licensing as they are considered a medical device.  According to the regulatory standard all dams need to be 6 x 10 inches in size to ensure maximum coverage.  They need to have some flexibility in their tensile strength without tearing. They need to be the correct thickness to ensure they act as a viral barrier to help prevent the transmission of an STI.  They need to be made with products that are approved and meet biocompatibility standards.  They also need to be registered with either the FDA or Canada in North America. These requirements have specific parameters that MUST be met to be FDA approved or Health Canada Licensed.

Safer Sex Practices

Oral sex still has the risk of spreading infections.  The use of an oral barrier helps to reduce the risk when used consistently and properly.  There are many different factors that determine the risk of transmitting an STI.  According to the CDC, “Many STDs, as well as other infections, can be spread through oral sex. Anyone exposed to an infected partner can get an STD in the mouth, throat, genitals, or rectum. The risk of getting an STD from oral sex, or spreading an STD to others through oral sex, depends on several things, including:

• The particular STD.
• The sex acts practiced.
• How common the STD is in the population to which the sex partners belong.
• The number of specific sex acts performed.

Dams and condoms are considered medical devices in North America. This is to ensure that if they claim to help prevent STIs they have the testing and regulatory background to support that. ALWAYS make sure the products you are using are licensed or approved so that you can spread a dam, not an infection! 

What is a Latex Allergy or Sensitivity?

Latex Allergy Awareness Week

October 1-7 is Latex Allergy Awareness Week.  This week is focused on bringing an increased awareness surrounding latex allergies and sensitivities.  Latex allergies can range from mild to life threatening, and continued exposure has been shown to increase the severity. This is called sensitization.  The Mayo Clinic explains this process as your immune system identifying latex as a harmful substance and triggering certain antibodies to fight it off. The next time you're exposed to latex, these antibodies tell your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. This process produces a range of allergy symptoms. The more times you are exposed to latex, the more strongly your immune system is likely to respond.

What is Latex

Latex is a naturally occurring substance that is found beneath the bark of the rubber tree.  This milky white substance is harvested by tapping the trees.  The bark is scored and peeled back to create a channel that allows the sap to run into buckets attached to the trees.  The sap is collected and then processed  into latex that is used in many common day-to-day items.  Latex possesses a great many attributes that allow it to be used for a wide variety of items from gloves to balloons to condoms and dams.  But it also can be life threatening to people who have a latex allergy.

What are you allergic to in latex?

A latex allergy is actually an allergic reaction to the proteins present in the milky sap of the rubber tree.   Simply put, your body views the latex as something harmful.  This response causes a release of histamines to fight the “intruder”. Histamines and other chemical responses are what trigger the allergic reactions and symptoms.  It is the latex protein that creates this allergic reaction, one that can worsen over repeated exposure.  This protein is very similar to proteins in some nuts, fruits and vegetables.  It is not uncommon for people who have a latex allergy to also have allergies or sensitivities to the following foods:

• Avocado
• Banana
• Chestnut
• Kiwi
• Apple
• Carrot
• Celery
• Papaya
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Melons

What is Polyisoprene?

Interestingly enough, polyisoprene is created either by removing the allergy producing protein from natural rubber or as a totally synthetic product created in a laboratory setting.  But polyisoprene retains the many attributes that natural latex has with its softness, tear and tensile strength, and comfort.  Polyisoprene condoms and dams are a safer option for anyone who has latex sensitivities or allergies.  They provide a necessary alternative for the growing number of individuals who suffer from latex allergies.

Pros and Cons of Polyisoprene

There are far more pros than cons when it comes to polyisoprene condoms and dams!  The pros are obvious!  You can enjoy safer sex without the concerns of a latex allergic reaction to the condoms or dams being used.   Polyisoprene condoms and dams are a safe replacement for any latex condom or dam.   The cons are very few and far between!   The one that first comes to mind is that they are a bit more costly than their latex alternatives.

Protect Your Health!

Protection is available for everyone, even those with a latex allergy or sensitivity.  The options are growing for access to polyisoprene condoms and dams.  Harmony Polyisoprene Dams are available in both retail and bulk options.  Your health, all aspects of it, is worth protecting. 

Choice

Choice is something everyone should have the right to when it comes to making decisions about one’s sexual health and wellness, including contraception.  Choice can be defined as the following:

• an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.
• the right or ability to make, or possibility of making, such a selection.
• a range of possibilities from which one or more may be selected
• a course of action, thing, or person that is selected or decided upon.

September 26 is World Contraception Day and the theme for this year is “The Power of Options”. It is absolutely crucial to be empowered when it comes to one’s sexual health. And empowerment comes through choice, education and knowledge. 

Education is Key

Education is a key component of empowerment.  It is only through awareness and knowledge that one can make an informed decision regarding the best options for one’s health.  When you have access to correct, informative and useful information, then you can make decisions based on how best to fill your needs.  This also means you must always make sure that the sources you are accessing are credible. Information is available from health practitioners, clinics, and sexual wellness facilities.

Types of Contraceptives

Contraceptives are available in many different formats, offering options based on factors such as lifestyle, health considerations, availability, future plans, and, ultimately, preference.  These include different hormonal options, IUDs, assorted barrier methods, and surgical options to name a few.   The good news is that there are options to choose from that best fit one’s lifestyle. Even within each group of contraceptives there are choices available, allowing one to further tailor their contraceptive needs.  One very important thing to remember is that not all contraceptives aid in the prevention of STIs. Always make sure to use a condom or dam (oral barrier) when engaging in penetrative or oral sex.

The Power of Options

The theme of 2023’s World Contraception Day is The Power of Options.  This theme is based on more than just the varied contraceptive options. It also focuses on the power those options allow to be formative in choosing one’s life path. These could include family planning, child spacing, increased reproductive health, gender equality and continuing to aid in open communication around sexual wellness.  When there are options and choices that allow individuals to choose what works best for them, then the odds of healthy practices being implemented rise.  In order for something to work, it needs to work for the individual. Offering choices in contraception simply allow everyone to choose what will work best for them.

Lubricants for Sexual Wellness

The wide array of options for different lubricants for sexual activities can leave one confused or, worse yet, choosing the wrong lube for the usage needed.  Lubricants are for more than just vaginal dryness.  Lubricants can help increase pleasure, delay ejaculation, and reduce friction, thereby aiding in safer sex practices.   Lubes come in a variety of types and navigating which one is right for you is easier with a bit of information.

Why Use Lube?

Lube is often used to combat vaginal dryness, to aid in increasing sexual pleasure, for anal sex, and also for use with sex toys, condoms and oral barriers (dams).  Why you are using lube is important so that you can choose the correct product for the act.  The vagina creates its own lubricant as an integral part of its function.  But the amount created can vary by person, health, medications, age, and a number of other factors.  The anus does not create any fluids as it is not a part of its function.  The thinner tissues around the anus and in the rectum can lead to microscopic tears.  Using lubricants for anal sex can help reduce this from happening while making the experience more pleasurable. 

Types of Lubes

Lubricants come in a few different types. The main types of lubricant are water based, silicone based, oil based, a hybrid of the water and silicone, and some natural types.  Lubricants also come in different flavors. It is best to use flavored lubricants for external sex acts as they often have sugar or additives that can affect the PH level of the vagina, causing yeast infections. Lubes are available in liquids, creams and gels. 

Water Based Lube

Water Based Lube:

• Is made with water as its main ingredient.
• The thickness can vary but it is usually on the thinner side.
• The water base makes it easy to clean after but you may need to use more as it can dry out quicker than other types. 
• Water based lubricants can be used with latex condoms, non-latex condoms, nitrile Female Condoms, Silicone Sex Toys, and both Latex and Polyisoprene Dams.

Silicone Based Lube

Silicone Based Lube:

• Is made with silicone as its main ingredient.
• This is a thicker type of lube that is great for anal sex as it is thicker, more slippery and longer lasting than water based. 
• Silicone lube can be more difficult to clean and can stain clothing and sheets.
• Silicone lubricants can be used with latex condoms, non-latex condoms, nitrile Female Condoms, and both Latex and Polyisoprene Dams. 
• DO NOT use silicone lube with silicone sex toys as it will degrade and damage the toys. 

Oil Based Lube

Oil Based Lube: 

• These lubricants are made with either natural or synthetic oils as their base. 
• They cannot be used with Latex of any variety as they will break it down. 
• They can be used with non-latex and nitrile condoms.
• Avoid baby oil or petroleum jelly with latex as well

Explore Your Options

It is always best to test out a bit of lube before using for the first time. You can do this on your inner forearm for a sensitivity test, or even place a bit in or around your vagina or on the tip of your penis.   Lubricants are available at pharmacies, adult shops, online, Public Health facilities, many school union offices or wellness centres, and even some grocery stores to list just a few.  They range in availability from single use foils to larger bottles.  Try different brands and types to see what works best for you!  As they say, “Wetter is Better!”

Chlamydia

What is Chlamydia?

“Chlamydia (kluh-MID-e-uh) trachomatis (truh-KOH-muh-tis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. You might not know you have chlamydia because many people don't have signs or symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis.” 

Chlamydia is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex if the infection is present in a partners. If an individual has previously been treated for the bacterial infection, they are still at risk of contracting it again.

What are the Symptoms?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms, also referred to as being asymptomatic. If you do develop symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have had sex with an infected partner. Even when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can cause damage to your reproductive system.

Women with symptoms may notice:

• An abnormal vaginal discharge
• A burning sensation when urinating

Symptoms in men can include:

• A discharge from their penis
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common).

One can also get infected with chlamydia in the rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

• Rectal pain
• Discharge
• Bleeding

You should be examined by a medical practitioner if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STI or symptoms of an STI. STI symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

Possible Complications

The Mayo Clinic has created a list of complications that Chlamydia can be associated with:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that causes pelvic pain and fever. Severe infections might require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. PID can damage the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus, including the cervix.
• Infection near the testicles (epididymitis): A chlamydia infection can inflame the coiled tube located beside each testicle (epididymis). The infection can result in fever, scrotal pain and swelling.
• Prostate gland infection: Rarely, the chlamydia organism can spread to a man's prostate gland. Prostatitis can cause pain during or after sex, fever and chills, painful urination, and lower back pain.
• Infections in newborns: The chlamydia infection can pass from the vaginal canal to your child during delivery, causing pneumonia or a serious eye infection.
• Ectopic pregnancy: This occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. The pregnancy needs to be removed to prevent life-threatening complications, such as a burst tube. A chlamydia infection increases this risk.
• Infertility: Chlamydia infections — even those that produce no signs or symptoms — can cause scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes, which might make women infertile.
• Reactive arthritis: People who have Chlamydia trachomatis are at higher risk of developing reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome. This condition typically affects the joints, eyes and urethra — the tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside of your body.

As the most common sexually transmitted infection, and one of the most difficult infections to diagnose early on, it is incredibly important that safer sex precautions are practiced whenever you are sexually active.

• When used correctly, male or female condoms can help decrease your risk of contracting Chlamydia.
• When you are sexually active, it is very important to have regular discussions with your doctor in regards to your sexual health. If you have multiple partners, you should talk to your doctor to schedule regular screenings for chlamydia as well as other STIs.

Treatment

Chlamydia is one of the STIs that can be cured with antibiotics. According to the CDC, once you have received your antibiotics:

“Persons with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity for 7 days after single dose antibiotics or until completion of a 7-day course of antibiotics, to prevent spreading the infection to partners. It is important to take all of the medication prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medication for chlamydia should not be shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not repair any permanent damage done by the disease. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, they should return to a health care provider to be re-evaluated.”

Safer Sex practices, including the regular the use of condoms and oral barriers or dams, along with regular testing, are ways to help keep sex safer while still having fun!