TBD Health’s Post

TLDR: We have a new name! We’re so excited to introduce you to our new name, Winx Health — where nothing is TMI. For too long sexual health has been relegated to whispers behind closed doors. So, five years ago, with a mission to empower confident health decisions, we launched a pregnancy test – Stix. It was more than a product; it was a pledge to help you navigate your health with confidence and discretion. As time went on, our community’s needs unfolded before us. Sexual health is not just a line (or two) on a stick, it’s a full spectrum of experiences and needs. Today, we’ve grown beyond our wildest dreams: seven products, hundreds of thousands of customers, and comprehensive sex-ed through Real Talk. What began as a whisper, transformed into a loud and proud conversation destigmatizing health issues, breaking barriers to accessibility, and enhancing our offerings to meet you at every stage. And, we are evolving to meet this health revolution head-on. Today, we proudly reintroduce ourselves as Winx Health, a testament to our journey from a single product to a comprehensive health ally. The transition to Winx Health is inspired by the concept of a wink — a gesture that is fleeting yet filled with meaning and intimacy. The wink serves as a metaphor for our core values of confidence, connection, and accessibility. It represents our evolution from focusing on the moment of waiting for a result, to proudly leading the women’s health conversation with products, education, and innovation. More on our transition here: https://lnkd.in/evntvEzy Thank you for sharing our story Emily Burns + WWD, and thank you to our fierce advocate and newest investor Kerry Washington for everything you've done to support us on this journey. Lots more to come in the coming days!!!

Congenital syphilis: The high rates we have in this country must be combatted and quickly. Lockdowns during COVID certainly made rebound effects of STDs worse; STDs can be asymptomatic and once circulating, self-perpetuates .We have a bicillin penicillin shortage but pregnant women can only get penicillin (can't use doxycycline as not good for fetus). We have to turn this around Syphilis Complicating Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis | NEJM https://lnkd.in/gwpJZMca

It's not just about avoiding pregnancy Growing up the focus and advantage of abstinence I heard mostly was on not getting pregnant while neglecting a cogent aspect. 📍sexually transmitted infection. Teenage pregnancy and risky sexual behaviour is a on the rise. Pelvic inflammatory disease is one complication of untreated STI gotten through unsafe sexual involvement. Yesterday, I shared about Pelvic inflammatory disease;causes and symptoms. Today we will focus on how it can be diagnosed and treated. 💥Your medical history. Your provider will likely ask about your sexual habits, history of sexually transmitted infections and method of birth control. 💥Signs and symptoms. Tell your provider about any symptoms you're experiencing, even if they're mild. 💥A pelvic exam. During the exam, your provider will check your pelvic region for tenderness and swelling. 💥Samples from your vagina and cervix. The samples will be tested at a lab for signs of infection and organisms such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Treatment: 💥Antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will prescribe a combination of antibiotics to start immediately. 💥Treatment for your partner. To prevent reinfection with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), your sexual partner or partners should be examined and treated. Infected partners might not have any noticeable symptoms. 💥Temporary abstinence. Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed and symptoms have resolved. What do you think can be done to mitigate teenage pregnancy? Are you of the opinion that teenagers should be provided with the needed information or tools to engage in safe sex or abstinence?

Contracting the #Zika virus during pregnancy can have severe consequences for newborns, yet health facilities in the regions most affected by Zika often lack the capacity to respond to increased demand for #contraception. In an implementation study published in BMC Women's Health, researchers used semi-structured interviews and focus groups to figure out how healthcare users thought about various contraception-related services—including Zika prevention during pregnancy and post-abortion care (PAC) services—in the context of a Zika outbreak in Honduras.    The researchers found that participants overall had positive attitudes toward contraception and wanted more information, but that health care services were inconsistent in providing important information; for example, few participants were aware of the risk of sexual transmission of Zika. Barriers to accessing this care included a long distance to facilities, disorganized admissions process, long waiting times and out-of-pocket expenditure to purchase medicines. Mistreatment and abuse of women seeking PAC was also prevalent. However, there were positive changes over time, including improvements in infrastructure that made the spaces more private and clean.     The results highlight the challenges and opportunities related to contraception and post-abortion care in the context of the Zika infection.    Congratulations to Maria Belizan, Edna Maradiaga, Javier Roberti, Maricela Casco-Aguilar, Alison F. Ortez, Juan C. Avila-Flores, Gloria González, Carolina Bustillo, Alejandra Calderón, Harry Bock, María L. Cafferata, Adriano B. Tavares, Jackeline Alger and Moazzam Ali. for this important piece of research. 

Syphilis Complicating Pregnancy and Congenital Syphilis #nejm #infectiousdiseases #syphilis https://nej.md/3vyAgTM

Last week, the #CDC reported that congenital #syphilis is on the rise in the U.S. The situation is 10x worse than 10 years ago with 3,761 cases reported in 2022. The number is likely higher, and virtually all of them could have been avoided with screening tests and swift treatment. The CDC recommends syphilis screening in pregnant persons during their first pre-natal visit or as soon as the pregnancy becomes known. Repeat testing 28-weeks gestation is recommended in areas where syphilis is prevalent. The CDC also provides resources to developing #diagnostic algorithms for syphilis serology. There are two common formats used in the U.S.: 1️⃣ Traditional = Non-treponemal RPR+ ➡️ Treponemal EIA/CIA+ ➡️ Syphilis detected 2️⃣ Reverse = Treponemal EIA+ ➡️ Non-treponemal RPR+ ➡️ Syphilis detected A new integrated diagnostic approach has also been proposed using two different treponemal serology tests, the first being an EIA. Adding syphilis #screening to pre-natal intake and #pregnancy management won’t solve the problem by itself… In 2022, 40% of births with congenital syphilis had no pre-natal care. Successful health initiatives aimed to reduce rates of congenital syphilis must be culturally competent, community focused, and provide education that prioritizes safe sexual health. ZEUS Scientific offers EIA (ELISA) and IFA syphilis testing solutions. Contact us for more info at www.zeusscientific.com. https://lnkd.in/gmFdEMEf #clinicallaboratory #syphilis #testing #pregnancy #patientsafety

Discovering you have an STD can be upsetting under any circumstances, but if you're diagnosed while pregnant, it can be especially concerning. In honor of #STDAwarenessMonth, check out our blog below to learn all you need to know about pregnancy with an STD:

"Protect the health of pregnant people and their children by including them in research"..."Human pregnancy data were available for just 11% of the medications approved by the FDA between 2010 and 2019." With data clinicians could be more informed on the drug, dosage, risks to achieve the desired results - an interesting article to read and watch the development of regulators, research programs #data #drugs #metabolize #research #betterpatientoutcomes https://lnkd.in/exHSQ3qZ

Amazing update from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on modifying their recommendations for syphliis testing in pregnancy due to the rising rates in the Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis epidemic. Hundreds of near term and term babies have lost their lives or suffered devastating consequences due to this preventable and treatable infection with timely diagnosis and treatment. Looking forward to other national leaders following suit to decrease the confusion providers experience with conflicting guidelines and perhaps even more important, avoiding the implicit bias that comes to play in risk based recommendations. #inittowinit #maternalhealth #STI #healthequity https://lnkd.in/enYZABdZ

There appears to be no significant difference in thromboembolism risk between new users of combined hormonal contraceptives and progestin-only contraceptives among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a study published in Blood Advances (American Society of Hematology). Given the increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy in SCD, broad access to safe and effective family planning tools are needed, especially contraceptives. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the use and safety of contraceptives among females with SCD. This impairs patients’ ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wCvtA