The Better2Know Blog

Sexually active people need to be aware of another infection that could plague their sex lives.

While STIs tend to be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, a new pathogen has entered the arena.

What’s is this new infection? Let’s find out!

Human genitals come in all shapes and sizes. Some features of genitals may be larger, smaller, differently shaped, and come in different colours and textures.

One concern we hear from our customers is about a fairly common condition called pearly penile papules (PPP).

But what are they? Should you be concerned if you have them?

Keep reading to find out.

For the most part, sexually transmitted infections can be easily treated. The vast majority respond well to antibiotics, and most other infections can be cured with effective treatments overseen by a doctor.

But some infections are fighting back. Many bacteria are gaining an edge in the arms race between pathogens and pharmaceuticals.

And one of the bacteria that is getting an edge is one that most people haven’t even heard of: Mycoplasma Genitalium.

So, what’s going on here? Keep reading to find out!

A new wave of skin rashes has taken hold of many parts of England, with university students the worst affected.

Around 3,689 cases were diagnosed in hospitals in England in the first four months of 2024, a significant rise from 2,128 cases in all of 2023.

Universities nationwide have reported students complaining of small red dots and rashes on their skin. These infections have caused considerable discomfort and distress. The infection also seems to have taken hold in many parts of the north of England.

So, what is this infection?

It used to be that young people had a lot of sex. For decades, public health campaigns tried to urge younger people to protect against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections by encouraging regular testing and consistent condom use.

Many sexually active people assume that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) only affect the genital area. While symptoms like Genital Warts, unusual discharge, lesions, and chancres might prompt a visit to a sexual health clinic, STIs can also present with lesser-known symptoms.

While it may surprise some people, diarrhoea can be a common sign of an STI.

If you’re experiencing diarrhoea and think a sexually transmitted disease might be causing it, keep reading to find out more.

No one likes getting sick, and most people, if given the option, would like to avoid getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

STIs are incredibly common – millions of sexually active people contract these infections every day. And while the vast majority of infections can be cured with medication, a select few infections are permanent once you get them.

However, this fact doesn’t mean that you have to worry. Most individuals can lead happy and healthy lives if these infections are caught early and treated.

But which infections can’t be cured, and how are they treated? Keep reading as we explore the incurable STIs, available treatments, and more.

Attitudes to sexual health can differ greatly between the generations.

It’s widely known that younger people, in general, are far more open than older generations about speaking about their sexual health and seeking testing.

Bleeding from the genitals can be a deeply concerning and alarming symptom.

While many things can cause bleeding from the genitals, you may want to consider the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Certain STIs can lead to bleeding, whether it’s between periods, during or after intercourse, or from other parts of the body. Understanding which sexually transmitted infections can cause this symptom and recognising the importance of early detection and treatment is crucial for maintaining sexual health.

This blog aims to illuminate which STIs can cause bleeding, the mechanisms behind this symptom, and the importance of seeking medical advice if you experience any unusual bleeding. By increasing awareness, we hope to encourage proactive health measures and reduce the stigma associated with STIs.

Getting tested for STIs can be very stressful, and the idea of doing it at home, while for some may be more convenient than going to a clinic, can introduce some uncertainty.

Because of this uncertainty, some people struggle with collecting a blood sample at home.

If you’re using a Better2Know Home Test Kit, here’s a step-by-step guide for taking your own blood sample.

Despite the convenience home testing offers our patients, many worry about getting the sample collection process right.

If you’ve ordered a Better2Know test that requires a urine sample, here are some easy instructions for collecting it.

A case of a new Mpox variant was recently confirmed in Sweden, linked to the growing outbreak in Africa.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the new Mpox variant has killed around 450 people in recent months.

The new variant is thought to be very contagious and causes more serious diseases.

While the variant hasn’t yet been reported in the UK, experts warn that it can spread unless international action is taken.

HeHealth’s Calmara, an app that claimed to help women identify male sexual partners with STIs by analysing pictures of genitals using AI, has been shut down after a US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation.

Many people can find getting tested at home a bit daunting. Even with all the convenience a home test kit provides, it can be hard to know if you’re doing things right.

If you’ve ordered one of Better2Know’s swab sample kits to get tested for an STI, here are some instructions on collecting a high-quality sample for your test.

In recent years, transmission rates of STIs have risen in the UK, with a troubling rise in diagnoses of Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Syphilis, especially in Scotland and Wales. Rises have been especially pronounced among older people.

Can changes that take place in the body during menopause make contracting STIs more likely?

Keep reading to find out.

Sexual health is an important aspect of your overall health. Maintaining it can take a lot of thought and consideration.

With STIs continuing to have profound effects on those who get them, it’s important to ensure people have the tools they need to maintain their sexual health.

Home test kits for STIs offer a safe, convenient, and accurate way for people to get a full view of their sexual health status, giving them the information they need to manage their health or get treated if required.

Here are a few reasons why home test kits are a great option for most people.  

When you’re worried about the prospect of having an STI, it’s easy to look at the world of medical testing and get a bit confused.

But Better2Know is here to demystify the world of STI testing and make it easy for everyone involved to understand.

PCR testing is one of the main testing tools we use to detect STIs. But how does it work?

Keep reading to find out.

Most discussions of the transmission of STIs tends to focus on heterosexual encounters – women who have sex with men and men who have sex with women.

While this is understandable since they make up the majority of encounters, less attention is paid to the risks and needs of people who have same-sex encounters. Indeed, many researchers have drawn attention to the dearth of research related to STI transmission between women.

One query, which we at Better2Know have come across frequently, is whether women who have sex with women are less likely to contract an STI.

Is this true?

Let’s find out.

Blood in the urine can be a very concerning symptom to experience. But this symptom is surprisingly common. Around one in five people examined by a urologist will be diagnosed with bloody urine.

What can this symptom mean, and should you be concerned?

Bloody urine can be a sign of various health conditions, from fairly benign conditions to some that are very serious.

Keep reading to find out more.

Conceiving can be very difficult for many individuals and couples. There are all sorts of conditions and lifestyle choices that can hinder one’s ability to get pregnant.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can seriously affect your fertility. But there is one infection that not many people may consider a serious concern for fertility issues.

A lot of research has been conducted in recent years around the effect HPV can have on fertility. Should you be worried?

Keep reading to find out.

When most people think of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), they think of the virus that causes genital warts – a symptom that is, for the most part, benign.  

However, years of public health messaging have helped draw clear connections between HPV and negative health outcomes, particularly for women.

Aside from incidents of genital warts, certain strains of HPV have been connected with cervical cancer. Around 95% of all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. In the UK, vaccination rates in women in their 20s have reduced incidents of cervical cancer by around 87%, according to a study conducted by Lancet in 2021.

But this good news hides an unfortunate trend.

When most people think of STIs, they tend to think of infections that affect the genitals. However, one of the lesser-known aspects of some STIs is that they can infect several parts of the body.

One STI that can infect many parts of the body is Gonorrhoea, which can infect the genitals, eyes, throat, and even the rectum.

But how does this happen?

If you’re concerned that you may have an anal Gonorrhoea infection, keep reading to find out more. The more knowledge you have, the more effectively you can respond.

Face rashes can come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them are harmful or necessarily something to be concerned about. A face rash, can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Face rashes are usually caused by something, whether it’s an allergic reaction to new clothes, an outbreak of acne, or an insect bite. Some face rashes can also be caused by STIs.

If you have a face rash and you’re concerned about whether it may be caused by an STI, keep reading to find out more about what may have caused it.

Contraception is a vital part of maintaining your sexual health. While it can be instrumental in helping to prevent unplanned pregnancies, it also plays a crucial role in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

However, it’s important to note that not all forms of contraception provide protection against STIs. That’s why it’s essential to use the right type of contraception for your lifestyle and circumstances and to combine this with regular STI testing.

In this blog, we’ll review several different types of contraception you can use, how they help prevent STIs, how they can be used, and who should use them.

Defining sexual relationships is far from a one-size-fits-all endeavour. Sex can be a deeply personal and often complex matter that can have a profound impact on our lives.

At Better2Know, we understand the importance of being clear about we mean when we talk about “sexual relationships”.

In this blog post, we aim to unravel the intricacies of sexual relationships, explore their diverse forms, and shed light on the potential risks they may entail. By fostering an open and non-judgmental conversation about this topic, we hope to empower our readers to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

Consistent groin pain can be really worrying. When you get it, it’s natural to wonder if something serious might be going on.

While not all instances of groin pain indicate a serious problem, it’s crucial to be aware of what might be causing it. And one of the more common causes of groin pain is STDs.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the various STDs that can cause groin pain. We’ll also discuss other potential causes, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of this complex symptom.

Let’s get started.

For many, sexual health can be a difficult topic to discuss. Yet, it’s an integral part of our overall well-being.

Whether you’re curious, concerned, or simply seeking information, Better2Know is here to help. We aim to provide clear, concise, and non-judgmental information about sexual health to everyone who may need it. We believe that knowledge is power, and with the right information, everyone can take control of their sexual health.

So, what is sexual health, and why is it so important? Let’s dive in.

Sex can often be a minefield. Negotiating health, emotions, and relationships can tax even the most carefree person. Love, indeed, isn’t for the faint of heart.

This minefield can become all the more explosive when sex enters the mainstream discourse, introducing the spectre of collective judgment about our most intimate acts, thoughts, and feelings.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the current discourse surrounding the idea of “body counts”.

So, what’s going on here? What’s a body count, and why is everyone talking about it? And how does it relate to STIs?

Keep reading to find out more.

It’s the type of thing that could happen to anyone.

You meet someone, and you bring them home. Just as you’re getting intimate, you notice something suspicious on their genitals – maybe a bump, a sore, or some strange discharge.

Should you proceed with your sexual encounter or call it a night?

Turns out you don’t have to decide for yourself. There’s an app for that.

Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is one of the most prevalent STIs globally. It’s sometimes called “the silent STI” because of its ability to go undetected for long periods of time.

While the infection is often associated with infidelity or having multiple sexual partners, the reality is more nuanced. It’s entirely possible to contract Chlamydia within the confines of a committed, monogamous relationship, even without any act of unfaithfulness.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how someone can catch or transmit Chlamydia despite remaining faithful to their partner.