myLAB Box Offers Monthly Guide for Regular Sexual Health Testing Schedule

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- How are your New Year's Resolutions coming along? More often than not, most people's resolutions focus on improving their physical health: think 'go to the gym more often,' and 'eat more fruits and vegetables.' But how many people remember to consider their goals and resolutions around sexual health?

Recent reports highlight that STI & STD rates are on the rise for the first time in well over a decade -- with the CDC pointing to online dating as a key culprit. Finding a new romantic partner may be a resolution for some, but getting a Syphilis, Gonorrhea, or Chlamydia infection is probably not. Yet the CDC's latest reports confirm that these three infections are at an all-time high in the U.S. -- and that's not including some of the other most common sexually transmitted diseases like Trichomoniasis, Genital Herpes, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma, HIV, and Hepatitis C. That's a lot of potential infections!

It's also just the latest reminder that sexual activity can have serious consequences for anyone who chooses not to get tested. So how can one create a plan to take better care of their sexual health in 2019? myLAB Box, the first at-home sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing service, presents its monthly guide for regular sexual health testing schedule.

At Least Once Per Year, and Sometimes More

While the recommended frequency of testing varies depending on an individual's lifestyle and frequency of sexual activity, as a blanket rule, it's suggested that everyone get STI or STD testing at least once per year.

The CDC reports that half of the adults in the United States between the ages of 18 and 44 have never been tested for anything except HIV. That's a massive number of unscreened infections. Additionally, many people will get tested for HIV (often only a single time) and incorrectly treat this as a permanent clean bill of health. This couldn't be further from the truth. It is important and necessary to get treated for a full spectrum of possible infections on a regular basis. For someone with activities that put them at a higher level of risk, a more vigorous screening schedule may be in order.

As a general rule, testing is highly recommended if any of the following apply to you:

• Have you had sex within the past 6 months?
• Have you had unprotected sex between tests?
• Have you never been tested at all? (Better late than never!)
• Are you starting a new relationship? There's no better time for you and your partner to be 100 percent certain about your sexual health. Test together!
• And of course, if you're experiencing any itching, burning, or other worrisome symptoms down below, it's time to get tested!

While you should never feel ashamed if you contract an infection, you'll definitely be happier without them. While most STDs are treatable especially if detected early, leaving an infection untreated can have lasting effects. These may include infertility, permanent chronic illness, and even death.

So how often should you actually be getting tested to make sure you stay STD-free? No matter what, the answer should be "more than once." Regular testing is the key to a clean bill of sexual health.

Note the Awareness Months & Days

With the variety of sexually-transmitted viruses and bacteria in the wild, it pays to stay vigilant! But the sexual health industry doesn't expect everyone to keep track of them all. That's why certain months have been selected to promote awareness and prevention of certain STDs. Here is a list of annual awareness months & days for the rest of the year:

• March - Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Endometriosis Awareness Month, Vulval Health Awareness Month, HPV Awareness Day (4), National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (10), National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (20), LGBT Health Awareness Week (27-31)
• April - STD Awareness Month, National Transgender HIV Testing Day (18)
• May - HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (18), National Hepatitis Testing Day (19), National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (19), Pansexual & Panromantic Awareness Day (24)
• June - LGBTQ+ Pride Month, National Adult Sex-Ed Month, National Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMS) Awareness Month, Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (8), National Sex Day (9), Cervical Screening Awareness Week (9-15), National HIV Testing Day (27)
• July - World Hepatitis Day (28)
• August - Immunization Awareness Month
• September - Sexual Health Awareness Month, Gynecological Cancer Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month, World Sexual Health Day (4), Global Female Condom Day (16), National HIV/AIDS & Aging Day (18), Bisexual Pride Day (23), National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (27),
• October - LGBT History Month, Herpes Awareness Day (13), National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (15), Asexual Awareness Week (19-25), Intersex Awareness Day (26)
• November - Intersex Day of Remembrance (8), Transgender Day of Remembrance (20)
• December - World AIDS Day (1)

"As some of our New Year's resolutions begin to feel less "new" and more like hard work, it's important to remain vigilant about our commitment to taking good care of ourselves, and that includes our sexual health," said Lora Ivanova, CEO & Co-Founder, myLAB Box. "Regular or even just annual testing for STIs and STDs is an important step toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and myLAB Box makes getting those tests and results easy and convenient."

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 complimentary 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