cuts to sexual health service budgets – the rise of home testing and treatment

In recent years, the government has cut funds for public health services across the country. One of the most drastically affected areas is sexual health – between 2016/17 and 2017/18, the budget for sexual health services provided by local authorities was slashed by around 30%. (1)

This has led to the closure of several sexual health clinics nationwide. For the general public, this means more people will be looking at STI home testing and treatment as an option.

What is the difference between STIs and STDs?

In recent decades, there has been a shift from referring to STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) towards referring to STIs (sexually transmitted infections) - in fact, the NHS website refers solely to STIs, with no mention of STDs at all.

This is because not only does the word ‘disease’ hold more grave connotations, but ‘infection’ is the more accurate description since many cases of STIs experience no symptoms, contradicting the image of illness that ‘disease’ implies.

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Genital Warts and its treatments

Genital warts are small fleshy bumps, growths or skin changes around the vagina, on the cervix, penis, anus, and scrotum, in the groin or thigh area.  The HPV virus that causes genital warts can also be found in the throat, mouth, lips or tongue and cause warts there too. A person can also get genital warts from sharing sex toys and skin-to-skin contact. (1,2)

The HPV virus (Human papillomavirus) causes genital warts. There are many kinds of HPV, and it can stay  in your skin and the warts can develop again.  There is treatment available to buy online for genital warts, following the completion of a simple online medical questionnaire. (1,2)

Many people who have the virus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on. If a person thinks they have genital warts they should get tested, and their current sexual partner(s) should too. Only a qualified doctor or nurse can diagnose a person with genital warts. (1,2)

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Buy a Gonorrhoea cure online

Bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoea, or gonococcus cause gonorrhoea. Some people used to refer to it as “the clap.” It is passed between someone who is having unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex with a person who has it or by sharing unwashed sex toys that have not been covered with a condom. (1,2)

Symptoms vary between men and women, although some men and women experience no symptoms at all. Around half of women and 1 in 10 men have no symptoms. However, symptoms in men include an unusual discharge from the tip of the penis, pain when urinating and sometimes, pain in the testicles. Women who are infected may experience an unusual discharge, pain when urinating, lower abdomen pain and, rarely, bleeding between periods. (1,2)

Gonorrhoea is an STI that is very simple to treat. It is no longer necessary to visit a GP to obtain a gonorrhoea cure. Treatment, after taking an STI test, comes in the form of a single dose of 2 antibiotics called Azithromycin and Cefixime. This treatment also  clears chlamydia and can be bought online. (3,4)

Common myths about gonorrhoea include that it can be caught from kissing and hugging, toilet seats, in swimming pools or sharing cups, plates and so on. (1)

A person taking a gonorrhoea cure must refrain from any sexual activity  for 7 days after taking the treatment.. They should then take another STI test two weeks after taking the gonorrhoea drug. If a person buys a gonorrhoea cure online, it can be delivered the next working day within a one-hour time slot or at a designated pick-up point. (1,2)

1. NHS gonorrhoea, [cited 29 June 2018], available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gonorrhoea/

2. Family Planning Association, gonorrhoea information, [cited April 2019]. Available at https://www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/gonorrhoea-information-and-advice.pdf

3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Azithromycin, [cited October 2019]. Available at https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/azithromycin.html

4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Cefixime, [cited October 2019]. Available at https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/cefixime.html#indicationsAndDoses

Hair Loss Treatment Delivered to Your Doorstep

Typically, men begin losing hair from around their temples (which causes a receding hairline) or from the crown of their head. It’s commonly known as male pattern baldness. Hair loss is also called androgenetic alopecia. So, don't be confused by the terminology here; it all means precisely the same thing. It’s the most common form of hair loss in men and can be treated.

In rarer cases, a man may lose all of his hair. Sometimes this occurs because of anxiety, an illness, iron deficiency, or cancer treatment. (1,4)

Hair loss tablets online are now available. The most effective hair loss medication for men is called Finasteride. This increases hair growth and prevents further hair loss. Finasteride is the generic version of Propecia. It's much cheaper than Propecia, yet it's just as effective. Both medications come in 1mg doses. (2,3,4)

Finasteride is a medicine for men and shouldn't be taken by women or children. It's possible to obtain a prescription for Finasteride or Propecia on the web just after completing a short online health questionnaire. This is assessed, and if you’re suitable for either medication, a prescription is issued. (2,3,4)

Tablets can be taken daily with or without food. Long term use of hair loss medication is recommended. It can take as long as three to six months to see any noticeable improvement. Also, if a person stops taking these tablets, its positive effects start disappearing after --- 9 to 12 months. (2,3,4)

Although there can be side effects, they're uncommon. Some people experience a dip in sex drive, a rash, tender or swollen breasts and an increased heartbeat. It’s always important to read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine just in case. It's equally important to fill out the online medical questionnaire comprehensively. (3,4)

1. NHS hair Loss [cited 4 January 2018]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/

2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) hair loss prognosis [cited July 2018]. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/alopecia-androgenetic-male#!backgroundSub:1 

3. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) Finasteride 1mg [cited August 2018]. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.791.pdf 

4. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) Propecia 1mg [cited September 2018]. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2194.pdf 

Why nitrofurantoin for cystitis? the burning question!

We have changed to Nitrofurantoin(brand name Macrobid) as first line treatment for women with lower urinary tract infection (also called cystitis)due to the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines for women who do not have a catheter. It aims to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance.(1)

Previously Trimethoprim was recommended as first line treatment but developing resistance to it’s effectiveness has meant that Nitrofurantoin may be the preferred choice. It depends on your geographical location and your kidney function.

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What are the best value erectile dysfunction pills?

The cheapest erectile dysfunction (ED) pills are generic Viagra, called Sildenafil.

What is a generic drug?

The term "generic" refers to the active ingredient of a medicine or drug rather than to the advertised brand name under which the medicine is sold. It is a term referring to any drug marketed under its chemical name without advertising.

Pfizer made the original Viagra tablet that is often referred to as the “blue pill”. The patent expired in 2013 which then allowed other pharmaceutical manufactures to make a generic version under the name of the active ingredient called Sildenafil. They are exactly the same medically and perform in the same way with the same side-effects.

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Period drama on holiday? what would lady crawley think

This week’s blog is from our guest blogger Hanna, reminiscing about her summer holiday and how Aunt Flo tried to ruin it.

Well we’re into the last days of summer and as I was barbequing at the weekend in my puffy coat and bobble hat (slight exaggeration but I feel the summer’s getting shorter each year), I was wistfully thinking back to my summer holidays…

I’m renowned for leaving everything to the last minute and my holiday plans are no different. Whilst the holiday might have been booked months in advance, the panic buying of hair products, sunscreen and hangover remedies were being done in a supermarket-sweep style rush during my lunch break, on the Friday before we were due to fly.

Read more information: Buy Norethisterone online