Author: Randox PR

No Sex is 100% Safe

No Sex is 100% safe – STIs happen!

April 28, 2021 No Comments Pillow Talk

No Sex is 100% safe – STIs happen!

We often hear the term ‘safe sex’ in reference to trying to lower the risk of passing on sexually transmitted infections with a sexual partner.   Whilst it is often referred to practicing ‘safe sex’ that term isn’t always accurate as no type of sex with a partner can be 100 percent safe.

No Sex is 100% Safe

Because many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) experience little or no symptoms, people may not be aware that they are carrying or passing them onto a partner.  Even those who are having consensual, partnered sex can get an STI – these infections do not discriminate!  Receiving a positive STI diagnosis can be tough, especially as there is often a stigma or shame that exists around the sexually transmitted infections.  Whilst it may feel intimidating to receive a positive result, its also important to remember that anyone who is engaging in sexual activity can get an STI.

If you want to reduce the risk of passing on an infection then it’s best to avoid exchanging body fluids including blood, ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections.  Here are a few ways you can practice safer sex:

  • Using latex or internal condoms for vaginal or anal intercourse
  • Having oral sex instead of unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse
  • Using a latex condom to cover the penis for oral sex
  • Practising forms of outercourse such as kissing, mutual masturbation, or body rubbing with clothes on

You should choose Confidante because:

  1. No other testing lab or medical provider will check you for all 10 STI’s
  2. Completely private service from purchase to results
  3. Discreet delivery to preferred address
  4. The STI Test will not appear on your medical record
  5. Results will be available within 7 working days on receipt of your sample
BUY NOW
Couple kissing passionately

Why getting tested will have a positive impact on your sex life

March 24, 2021 No Comments Pillow Talk

Why getting tested will have a positive impact on your sex life

Testing is a very important part of any great sexual experience and as such, should be treated that way!

Taking an STI test means you’re about to have safer sex- what could be hotter than that?

We believe it’s time to change the way we think about testing and start thinking why it can have a positive impact on your sex life.

Love Sex, Hate STIs

STIs often have no symptoms or symptoms can go unnoticed. If you are sexually active and changing partners, we recommend that you test for STIs regularly.

If you are concerned about your sexual health due to a recent event, symptoms, a change in sexual partner or simply want peace of mind, Confidante home STI test kit offers the perfect solution.

If you’ve recently had unprotected sex, or you are worried that you may have come into contact with an STI, then you may want to test now and a few weeks later, this is because infections take different amounts of time to show up in tests.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea show up in tests up to 2 weeks after infection.

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Think long-term

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are often symptomless, but if left untreated can cause inflammation in the female reproductive system. This can increase the risk of fertility problems and ectopic pregnancy in some people. In men, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause the testicles and epididymis to become inflamed and painful.

If syphilis is left untreated for many years it can affect vital organs including the brain and heart.

Testing for and treating infections helps prevent the spread of STIs. If you change sexual partners, it is a good idea to do an STI test. If you are starting a new relationship, you should both get tested to ensure that you are not passing on an infection to each other without knowing it.

Why chose Confidante?

We want you to avoid any long term internal damage and make sure if you’re trying to get pregnant, you first gain a full peace of mind. Let’s avoid nasty complications in the long run get tested for 10 innovative yet straightforward tests.  You should choose Confidante because:

  1. No other testing lab or medical provider will check you for all 10 STI’s
  2. Completely private service from purchase to results
  3. Discreet delivery to preferred address
  4. The STI Test will not appear on your medical record
  5. Results will be available within 7 working days on receipt of your sample
BUY NOW
Contraception in pocket

Valentine’s Day – Be Prepared. Be Ready. Be Safe.

February 11, 2021 No Comments Pillow Talk

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality – it is not just the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.  Your sexual health is just as important as your physical health.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re encouraging you to take control of your sexual health and safety.

Here are our top tips so you can be prepared, be ready & be safe on this annual day of love.

1. Be Prepared – get tested

 

If you are sexually active or have been in the past, it’s important you are checked regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Some diseases that are contracted through sexual encounters do not cause significant symptoms or signs until several weeks, months, or even years after you’ve contracted them.  In fact, around 50% of women and 10% of men with gonorrhoea do not have symptoms.

True intimacy means talking openly about how to have good safe sex. Don’t be afraid to have an honest chat with your partner(s) to figure out when was the last time each one of you was last tested, and for what.

Couple feet lounging

2. Be Ready – know the risks

You can relax and enjoy sex once you have a healthy awareness about the risks of penetrative sex and non-penetrative skin-to-skin contact. The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) also provides advice and guidelines on STIs including symptoms and prevention of passing on viruses or bacteria. STIs that spread through skin-to-skin contact (and are tested through the Confidante Home Testing Kit) include:

3. Be Safe – use contraception

The more people you are sexually involved with, the more likely you are to get an STI or to get pregnant.  The best way to practice safe sex and lower your risk for getting an STI is to use contraception correctly every time you have a sexual encounter.  The effectiveness of your contraception is dependent on the type you use and whether you use it correctly.  The NHS advises that you follow the instructions and use your contraception carefully for it to be as effective as possible.

There are widely available options for contraception, including:

  • Natural family planning
  • Condoms
  • Contraceptive pill
  • Contraceptive injection
  • Contraceptive patch
  • Vaginal ring
  • Contraceptive implant
  • Intrauterine device or system (IUD/IUS)
  • Diaphragms and caps
Contraception in pocket

Testing with Confidence

Buy Online

Buy Online

Purchase your test kit with confidence. Transactions are handled safely & securely

Register Kit

Register Kit

Register your kit online once it arrives. You must do this to receive your results

Collect & Post

Collect & Post

Take a urine / swab sample & post back to us using the pre-paid envelope provided

Receive Results

Receive Results

Your confidential results will be available 7 working days from receipt of your sample

Unlike other standard STI home testing kits, Confidante will test for 10 of the most common STIs and will detect even those infections that do not show any symptoms, providing a comprehensive profile of your sexual health.  All for just £45.

Results are available within 7 days by telephone, electronically or in person at Randox Health Clinics.

It’s a completely private service, no appointment needed, and no waiting room delays.

We test for the following STIs:

Testing-for-10-STIs

Testing for STIs during Lockdown

February 10, 2021 No Comments Pillow Talk

The UK government released an ‘Impact of COVID-19’ report at the end of last year which showed that there was a “resurgence in HIV, STIs and hepatitis tests and diagnoses, and an increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment initiations observed from June 2020, following the easing of national lockdown restrictions” in England.  But overall, the report stated that the numbers of tests, diagnoses and treatment of infections in the summer of 2020 was significantly lower than the same time period in 2019.

 

Blurred image of man walking

This reduction in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be associated with people’s compliance with social distancing measures with experts hailing it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to drive down infections permanently as people aren’t having sex with new partners and passing on diseases.

Dr John McSorley, a sexual health doctor and president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (Bashh), told BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat, “If we could test and treat everybody for their infections now, that would be a game-changer going forward as people slowly move towards normality.”  Most STIs can be successfully cured with the correct antibiotics and Dr McSorley wants people to get tested now, even if you aren’t showing symptoms.

With 54% of UK sexual health services currently closed and 38% of sexual health staff redeployed to other parts of the NHS, Confidante can help you with any STI advice, diagnoses or treatment.

Confidante avoids any embarrassing examinations, allowing you to take a test in the privacy of your own home. It is specifically designed to be straightforward to use, with all you need included in our discreetly packaged kit. We have made the entire process as convenient as possible with pre-paid envelopes, user-friendly instructions and more to ensure a simple, hassle-free process.

THE PROCESS

Buy Online

Buy Online

Purchase your test kit with confidence. Transactions are handled safely & securely

Register Kit

Register Kit

Register your kit online once it arrives. You must do this to receive your results

Collect & Post

Collect & Post

Take a urine / swab sample & post back to us using the pre-paid envelope provided

Receive Results

Receive Results

Your confidential results will be available 7 working days from receipt of your sample

Unlike other standard STI home testing kits, Confidante will test for 10 of the most common STIs and will detect even those infections that do not show any symptoms, providing a comprehensive profile of your sexual health.  All for just £45.

Results are available within 7 days by telephone, electronically or in person at Randox Health Clinics.

It’s a completely private service, no appointment needed, and no waiting room delays.

We test for the following STIs:

Testing-for-10-STIs
STIs

Sexually Transmitted Infections

February 14, 2019 No Comments Pillow Talk

STIs are spread predominantly by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means such as via blood or blood products. Many STIs—including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, primarily hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis—can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.

More than 1 million STI’s are acquired every day. Each year, there are estimated 357 million new infections with 1 of 4 STI’s: chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhoea (78 million), syphilis (5.6 million) and trichomoniasis (143 million).

Below are some key facts reported by the WHO:

Key facts

  • More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide.
  • Each year, there are an estimated 357 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
  • More than 500 million people are estimated to have genital infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV).
  • More than 290 million women have a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (1).
  • The majority of STIs have no symptoms or only mild symptoms that may not be recognized as an STI.
  • STIs such as HSV type 2 and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV acquisition.
  • Over 900 000 pregnant women were infected with syphilis resulting in approximately 350 000 adverse birth outcomes including stillbirth in 2012.
  • In some cases, STI’s can have serious reproductive health consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself (e.g., infertility or mother-to-child transmission)
  • Drug resistance, especially for gonorrhoea, is a major threat to reducing the impact of STI’s worldwide.

If your worried about having an STI, Check out more details about confidante here!

STI stats

Recent STI Statistics

January 4, 2019 No Comments Pillow Talk

STI Statistics: Public Health England (PHE) has revealed in a report that overall rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remained stable in 2017 compared to 2016. However, there are a number of key statistics about increases of the number of cases of Syphilis and Gonorrhoea.

Important STI Statistics:

  • In 2017, there were approximately 422,000 diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) made in England, around the same number that was reported in 2016.
  • There were 7,137 diagnoses of syphilis reported in 2017, a 20% increase (from 5,955) relative to the year prior and a 148% increase relative to 2008.
  • There were 44,676 diagnoses of gonorrhoea reported in 2017, a 22% increase (from 36,577) relative to the year prior.
  • There were 441 diagnoses of first episode genital warts in 15 to 17 year old girls in 2017, a 90% decrease relative to 2009 and an early expression of the success of the national HPV immunisation programme.
  • Over 1.3 million chlamydia tests were carried out and over 126,000 chlamydia diagnoses were made among young people aged 15 to 24 years. There was an 8% decline in the number of chlamydia tests in 2017 compared to 2016.
  • The impact of STIs remains greatest in young heterosexuals 15 to 24 years; black ethnic minorities; and gay, bisexual and other MSM.

If you are worried about your sexual health or just want to get tested but don’t want to be embarrassed by going to a gum clinic. We’ve got a solution. We offer a home sti kit that tests for 10 different STI’s. You can do it from the comfort of your own home. STI Statistics don’t lie. Click here to find out more! Contact a member of our team to find out more information, Here! Don’t worry it will all be confidential, your privacy matters to us.

Syphilis cases amongst 18-24 year olds up 12% in a year

May 15, 2018 No Comments Pillow Talk

A report this week has found that fewer young people are being tested for sexually transmitted infections, despite a sharp rise in cases.

Whilst the ratio of 18-24 year olds testing positive for chlamydia, the most common sexual infection, has increased to almost one in ten, testing for the condition has fallen by a quarter in just five years.

The report, conducted by the Royal College of Nursing, also noted that cases of syphilis have jumped by 12% – a statistic which Helen Donovan, Professional Lead for Public Health at the Royal College of Nursing has described as “worrying”.

Helen said; “If people are not able to access services then serious STIs could go undiagnosed and untreated – it is a major risk to public health.”

The experts behind the report have put the lack of testing down to “understaffed services going to extreme lengths to try to cope, even turning people away.”  A survey of 600 nurses working in the field found most had turned patients away because of insufficient resources.

Dr Olwen Williams, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV said of the issue; “These important findings provide yet more evidence that sexual health services have reached tipping point in this country.

“Despite the best efforts of staff to maintain standards, persistent and damaging cuts to the local authority public health budget in recent years have led to clinic closures and a worrying increase in the number of patients being unable to access the care they need.”

This is in spite of the NHS currently having to spend £620 million a year treating STIs, some of which have very serious complications, including infertility.

Syphilis in particular, is a condition that needs to be taken seriously. If left untreated, it can cause mental deterioration, blindness, deafness, all sorts of issues with the central nervous system and eventually leads to early death. Pregnant women can pass the condition on to their unborn baby, which can cause stillbirth or death shortly after labour.

Thankfully though, the sexually transmitted infection can be successfully cured with the correct antibiotics, if diagnosed early, so it is important to get tested before it’s too late.

If you’re worried about STIs, but are anxious about going to the Sexual Health Clinic, you can instead take an STI test from the privacy of your own home. You can avail of the world’s first and only home STI testing kit for 10 STIs – Confidante.

A completely private service, no appointment needed, and no waiting room delays. There really is no excuse not to get tested.

Order your kit online today: www.confidantetest.com/basket

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