Stay Safe With myLAB Box, First Nationwide At-Home STD Testing Service

Stay Safe With myLAB Box, First Nationwide At-Home STD Testing Service Photo Via: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com It’s an uncomfortable topic for many, but it’s one that needs to be discussed regardless. Safe sex is a huge concern, largely due to the high risk of transmittable diseases and the larger chance of sexual encounters in college. According to the CDC, those aged 15-24 are at higher, risk, as about two-thirds of reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the U.S. were reported by younger individuals within that age group. This is even riskier when you consider the increased chances of contracting life-threatening diseases such as HIV. And, even more shocking, is the fact that many individuals havent been tested for HIV (a total of one-third of sexually active young adults) which means that there is an abundance of undiagnosed individuals unwittingly spreading the disease. So, how do you protect yourself? MyLAB Box has some ideas, which they published in a recent press release. MyLAB Box is the first at-home STD testing service, and it’s working nationwide. The service utilizes a FDA-approved kit that utilizes technology that has been validated with affiliates with decades of experience in testing for such diseases. This is beneficial not only because tests can be conducted in the privacy of your own home, but also because these tests are at half the cost of conventional lab tests, providing affordable screening to those that wouldn’t have such screening otherwise. In this way, myLAB Box is spearheading this war against STDs, simply by providing individuals with knowledge about their own bodies. Of course, this is only half the battle. The other half, as we all know, is to practice safe sex and to talk about it. When learning more about how you can be safe, utilize the tips provided by myLAB Box for all college students. 1. Condoms Keep in mind, these are not perfect, but latex condoms actually offer a 98 percent chance of preventing pregnancy (when used properly). In addition, it’s a great line of defense against infection. So how do you use them correctly? a. Make sure they are latex b. Use a new condom for every act (vaginal, anal, and oral sex) c. Check expiration dates (yes, this matters if it’s expired, it’s more likely to break) d. If you feel it break, stop and replace it e. Do not use more than one at a time 2. Use other methods of protection There are plenty more modes of protecting yourself where that comes from, including birth control pills, the patch, and the ring. Of course, keep in mind that these methods of birth control leave you vulnerable to STIs. 3. Test yourself Know your own body. These are huge health risks and there’s no way to know your status without first getting tested. HPV is common, and it’s responsible for 91 percent of cervical cancers, 75 percent of vaginal cancers, 69 percent of vulvar cancers, 63 percent of penile cancers, and 91 percent of anal cancers. So yes, getting tested is a big, life altering deal. So stay on top of it. Again, if you can’t afford to go to a clinic or you’re too embarrassed, order a home kit to test yourself.  The more you know, the more likely you are to be safe. 4. Safe sex isn’t always safe STIs are passed through more than just intercourse, which means that oral sex and kissing still put you at risk. So, know the signs and be careful who you partner with while in school. MyLAB Box also lists an FAQ page with more information on such risks: -  Look Out for These Common STD Signs and Symptoms -  What To Do If There Isn’t an STD Testing Clinic Near Me -  Safe is Sexy: Understanding PrEP and HIV Prevention -  STDs Are Gross! Myth vs. Reality -  Safe Is Sexy: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Health -  Why is Gonorrhea called “The Clap” and Why You Should Care 5. Test, Test, Test Whether in the clinic or at home, you need to test yourself for such infections, as they can seriously impact your life and/or someone else’s. The myLAB Box tests are quick and private with discreet packaging and can be done anywhere, anytime (it only takes about 5 minutes). So there really is no reason not to take it. According to Lora Ivanova, Co-Founder of myLAB Box: “When we’re talking about sex, the risk of a surprise pregnancy is what most people worry about. That said, you absolutely need to keep an eye out for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, too. Even though you may know your bedroom partners from class, that’s not the same thing as knowing their STI status. College is often a time when students experiment with their sexual activity, have multiple partners and dates, and play it a little loose with the rules. With as many as 80% of infections showing little to no symptoms, you’ll never know if someone is free and clear of STIs unless they’ve been tested. We hope these tips will be a good reminder to college students to practice safe sex.” Plus, to help further promote this initiative, college students are being offered a 20 percent discount for the entire month of September with this discount code: backtoschool2017. Plus, myLAB Box accepts HAS and FSA accounts as payment options. So be sure that you’re getting tested and utilizing all of the above-discussed steps in order to ensure that you’re being safe at school this year. Also, for more information, visit mylabbox.com.