How To Protect Yourself During An STI Epidemic

Despite condoms taking over the runway -- cue Diesel's condom mountain and Botter's condom gloves -- sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for almost two years now. In the past few years, overall STI rates have worsened, with even the porn industry halting production due to an uptick in STIs. Although under-discussed, sexual wellness upkeep is now more important than ever. To maintain your sexual wellness, keep reading for expert insight from Dr. Andreas Kogelnik, founder of BasisDx at-home STI testing.

 

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1. Which STI's are on the rise in the U.S. and Europe?

Chlamydia has the highest rates. It has been and remains the most reported STI in the United States, with the US and Europe experiencing high numbers. Fortunately, this STI is easily treatable, although in many cases it is symptomless, so regular testing is necessary.

Syphilis comes in at a close second. Although syphilis was almost eliminated in the U.S. decades ago, we’re now experiencing extremely high rates of infections. Specifically, the highest since the 1950s, according to the CDC. Due to the severity of the latter stages of syphilis when undiagnosed, this resurgence is particularly troubling.

2. What are the warning signs of these STIs? 

The five symptoms of chlamydia to look out for include unusual vaginal discharge or discharge from the penis, bleeding between periods, pain or a burning sensation during urination, lower stomach pain and pain during sex.

Of course, many of these symptoms can also be symptoms of menstruation or other ailments so again, for sexually active individuals, I can’t stress how important it is to test regularly, just to rule out the possibility and spread of chlamydia!

3. What do you believe is contributing to the rise of rates?

Besides not using barrier methods, I believe much of the rise is due to a lack of regular STI screening, a lack of education, and access to testing resources. Without proper education, people don’t know what to test for and how regularly to test. Or if they do test, they may not know how to go about treating the infection if one occurs.

A lot of people feel stigma, fear or shame around getting tested when, in reality, this should be approached like any other regular health checkup. As a society, we need to do better and encourage people to get tested regularly because you can still have an infection without presenting symptoms. Gen Z especially have a more open attitude to sex and dating, but still don’t carry this mindset to regular testing, and this is often due to various stigmata attached to STIs. Many STIs are easily treatable with a simple antibiotic regimen.

Additionally, people in rural areas may not have as immediate access to clinical services near them, so getting the word out on home-collect STI testing services is important.

4. How can people do at-home STI testing to maintain sexual health?

Getting a home-collect STI test done can be easy. First, order the test you need from the BasisDx website. Your needs may vary based on your risk, but for most folks, we recommend getting the full Pro-13 panel to cover the base and give you peace of mind by ensuring you don’t miss a potential issue. Create an online profile using the instructions inside the kit, to ensure you get your results back efficiently. Then, collect your sample using the included instructions in the kit or online.

Based on the STI you are testing for, you’ll need to provide a fingerstick blood sample, urine sample or swabs from different anatomical locations. Once you’ve collected those samples, mail it back to the lab in the included prepaid packaging.

You should get your results within 24-48 hours of the lab receiving it. The support team is here to answer questions and help interpret results. In some areas, we can provide telemedicine follow-up. Outside those areas, we can help you find a local healthcare provider for further assistance and treatment.

Shop at-home STI testing on BasisDx's website.

This interview was condensed for clarity

For more, here's how to tell your partner you have an STI.

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