Latex Allergy & SensitivitiesWednesday, October 4, 2023
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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:
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 & 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. |
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Choice – A Necessity in ContraceptionFriday, September 22, 2023
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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:
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. |
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STIs and TestingTuesday, March 21, 2023
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STIs and Testing
How to Begin the Testing Path
We have all heard how testing is an important component of our Sexual Health, but often times we do not know where to get tested. Testing is available in many places within North America. You can begin by asking your doctor, going to a clinic or public health facility for guidance. Testing is free at many facilities including family doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, sexual health clinics, and other public health units and community centres.
What Types of Testing Do I Need?
The type of test needed is directly dependent upon what you are being tested for. There are a few different types of STI Test procedures; most of them are simple and easy to have done.
It is important to get tested if having multiple sexual partners, the condom or dam breaks or slips, you are not sure of the status of your partner, at an annual checkup, if showing symptoms or know of recent exposure, and/or as part of your routine ongoing health care.
The bottom line is that folks of all genders and sexual orientations should be tested once a year, after unprotected sex, or in between new partners — whichever comes first!
Exposure to different STIs also come with different timelines for testing. There are different incubation periods for the different STIs. This incubation period means the time between infection and the appearance of symptoms. This ranges between a couple of days to a few months. This is something to discuss with your healthcare provider to get specific answers about in order to test within the appropriate time to avoid false negative results.
How Long Before I Get Results?
Most of the test results are completed between 2-5 days. But never assume you are negative if you do not hear back from your test provider. Always call and confirm the results before engaging in sexual activities. Tests are also available for use within the privacy of your home. These ones are generally something that requires payment. The in-home testing is an alternative for folks who are uncomfortable going to a healthcare provider for testing.
Results and Next Steps
Once you have received your results, the next steps depend upon what they were. If you are positive, then there are steps that need to be taken. These are dependent upon the diagnosis, and often times involve medication, sharing your diagnosis with past sexual partners and/or a host of treatment options to help manage symptoms and future outbreaks. The reality is that 1 in 2 people will experience an STI within their lifetime. With that representing 50% of the population, we need to continue to remove the stigma from STIs, create awareness about them and the prevention options available, make testing easily accessible and known, and work together to lessen the epidemic proportions of STIs worldwide. Together we can make a difference! |
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Sexually Transmitted Infections – ChlamydiaThursday, January 27, 2022
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What is Chlamydia?
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