myLAB Box's Four Key Steps to Staying Safe, Informed and Empowered During LGBTQ+ Pride Month

LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- According to the World Health Organization, over a million people are diagnosed every day with one of the four most common STDs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis (or "trich") and syphilis. And that's not counting HIV.

In 2017, the CDC reported that gay and bisexual African American men accounted for the largest number of HIV diagnoses (9,807), followed by Hispanic/Latino men (7,436) and White men (6,982). So as we close out LGBTQ+ Pride Month, myLAB Box, the industry's leading at-home screening platform for STDs, is sharing four vital reminders about staying safe, getting tested and helping to stop the spread of these infections for lovers of all kinds: gay, straight, trans, queer, nonbinary, pansexual, and those who opt out of labels altogether.

1. Communication is key. Open, honest dialogue is vital to the health of any relationship, but also to each partner's physical health. Stigmas and biases about sex can persist -- even within the LGBTQ+ community -- so it's important to create a safe space where partners can express themselves about expectations, past (and present) experiences, their sexual health, as well as their STD testing history and results.

2. Protection, protection, protection. Safe sex is sexy sex -- but only if you're using a condom the right way. Use a new, latex condom for every act of vaginal, anal, or oral sex. And don't forget to check the expiration date, because an expired condom can break easily -- rendering it useless. (Chances are, the condom that's been in your wallet or purse for the past two years might need to be replaced). More importantly, if you feel the condom break at any point during sexual activity, stop immediately and put on a new one. Some people might consider that a "mood killer," but the thought of transmitting or contracting an STD is exponentially worse.

3. Remember that not all STD's and STI's present "sexual" symptoms. As many as 80% of individuals infected with an STD or STI show little to no symptoms. Sometimes it can take months before symptoms do arise, and the onset of many STIs can be mistaken for the flu. So if you're sexually active, have a new partner, or have been having unprotected sex and are feeling fatigued, or have a fever, nausea, headaches or vomiting, get tested to see if you have an STI or STD. What you think could be the flu can end up being something far more serious. Check out the STD symptoms guide here for some additional warning signs.

4. Get Tested. Last but certainly not least, arm yourself with information about your status. Whether you're concerned about cost, convenience or confidentiality, myLAB Box has you covered when it comes to getting tested for STDs. We offer quick, confidential tests that can be paid for out-of-pocket for about half the price you'd pay at a doctor's office. They're shipped in discreet packaging, and can be done in about five minutes. And if you live in one of the many states that offer telemedicine, you can even use myLAB Box to connect with a doctor and get prescribed your treatment right over the phone. That means there are no excuses for staying in the dark about your sexual health.

Lack of access to adequate medical care can be especially dangerous for transgendered individuals, who often already face discrimination for their sexual orientation or gender identity. As the Human Rights Campaign notes, trans people are being denied care (or access to it) in many states. myLAB Box is helping to counteract this bias by helping to provide trans people with information about their sexual health, and access to medical expertise and treatment where it may otherwise not be attainable. (While gender does not typically affect the accuracy of test results, transgendered individuals can check our FAQ for information on the collection process for specific tests).

"Pride Month is a time to fully embrace who you are while spreading love and awareness, not STDs. So it's a great time to reinforce safe sexual health practices," says Lora Ivanova, CEO & Co-Founder, myLAB Box. "At myLAB Box, we're committed to ensuring that sexual health is part of the daily discussion within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, and that people of all genders and sexual orientations get the information and access to medical care that they deserve. We also hope that the low rates we offer for our screening kits aids in helping to decrease the STD rates that are on the rise all over the world."

By selling directly to consumers, myLAB Box is able to offer exceptional service at half the cost of conventional lab tests, all in the comfort of one's home. From affordable screening to complementary physician consultations for positives, every aspect of the myLAB Box service is designed to be safe, effective and efficient. myLAB Box currently offers the most comprehensive test selection for STDs on the market, including (but not limited to) Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, and HPV. myLAB Box tests are highly accurate and identical to those which can be found in doctor's offices and clinics.

About myLAB Box
Founded in 2013, myLAB Box is the first company to offer a nationwide at-home screening platform for STDs. All myLAB Box tests are validated by fully licensed CLIA-certified myLAB Box lab affiliates with extensive experience in testing for infectious diseases. By offering testing, screening or testing services directly to consumers, myLAB Box is able to offer exceptional service at half the cost of conventional lab tests. From affordable screening to complementary physician consultations for positives, every aspect of the myLAB Box service is designed to be safe, effective and efficient. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit: http://www.mylabbox.com.

SOURCE myLAB Box

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