Article Tag: Safe Sex

  • Why ENDO Matters and Makes Regular STI Testing Easier

    Why ENDO Matters and Makes Regular STI Testing Easier

    Why Regular STI Testing Matters

    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain an important public-health problem in Europe. In 2024, EU/EEA countries reported 213,443 cases of chlamydia, 106,331 cases of gonorrhoea and 45,577 cases of syphilis. Gonorrhoea notifications were 303% higher than in 2015, while syphilis notifications more than doubled. These figures reflect reported diagnoses rather than the true number of infections, because surveillance is affected by differences in testing and reporting between countries. Nevertheless, they indicate substantial and continuing transmission across Europe.

    Testing is an important part of the response because many STIs can be present without symptoms. WhO’s 2025 guidelines specifically identify asymptomatic infection as a major challenge, including infections that occur at sites that may not be routinely tested, such as the pharynx and rectum. A person who feels well may therefore still have an infection and may transmit it without knowing that they are infected.

    This is particularly relevant for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Both infections can be asymptomatic, and the absence of symptoms cannot reliably be used to determine whether testing is necessary. Screening therefore has a role beyond investigating symptoms: it can identify infections that would otherwise remain undiagnosed.

    Graph STI
    STI trends in Europe

    The limitations of symptom-based testing

    Traditional healthcare pathways often rely on people seeking care when they develop symptoms or become concerned about a possible exposure. This approach is necessary for symptomatic infections, but it does not address infections that produce few or no symptoms.

    The consequences of undiagnosed infection can extend beyond transmission. Depending on the infection, untreated STIs can cause complications affecting reproductive health, pregnancy and other organ systems. Early diagnosis also provides an opportunity for appropriate treatment and, where indicated, partner management.

    For this reason, STI testing should not be understood exclusively as a response to illness. For people with ongoing exposure to STIs, testing can also form part of preventive healthcare.

    This does not mean that every sexually active person requires regular screening for every STI. Current WHO guidance emphasises that screening should be based on factors including sexual exposure, partner exchange, local transmission and the resources and costs associated with testing. Screening recommendations therefore differ between populations and settings.

    Testing frequency should reflect exposure

    There is no scientifically justified universal interval at which everybody should undergo an identical STI panel. Testing may be appropriate after a specific exposure, following a partner’s diagnosis, when symptoms occur, or periodically for people with continuing exposure. National and clinical recommendations also differ according to population and epidemiological context.

    For example, WHO recommends at least annual or six-monthly screening for some populations with increased exposure, while ECDC reports that regular 3–6-month screening is common for all three major bacterial STIs among HIV PrEP users in approximately two-thirds of reporting European countries.

    A four-month interval therefore should not be presented as a universal medical recommendation. It is better understood as a practical recurring interval for people who require or choose regular STI screening, with the actual tests and frequency determined according to their circumstances and appropriate clinical guidance.

    Access is part of the testing problem

    The effectiveness of screening depends partly on whether people actually use the available services. Testing can involve appointments, travel, waiting times, costs, concerns about privacy and the practical difficulty of fitting healthcare into everyday life. These barriers can be particularly relevant for people who move frequently, live in different countries, have irregular schedules or prefer not to attend a clinic for every screening episode.

    ECDC’s assessment of STI responses across Europe has identified persistent gaps in access to testing and prevention. European testing systems also differ considerably between countries, including in the availability and financing of different testing approaches.

    Improving access therefore does not necessarily require creating a completely different diagnostic system. It can also involve making established testing methods easier to use.

    Evidence for home self-collection

    There is increasing evidence that self-collection outside a healthcare facility can improve access to STI testing.

    A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 19 studies involving 62,369 participants, including 15 randomised controlled trials. For chlamydia and gonorrhoea, offering specimen self-collection at home or in another non-clinical setting resulted in 2.61 times greater testing uptake than collection in clinical settings. The studies also found high agreement between samples collected at home and in clinical settings, while linkage to treatment was not significantly different between the two approaches.

    A separate 2024 systematic review examining self-collected specimens for several STIs found that, for most infections studied, diagnostic accuracy was comparable with specimens collected by healthcare workers.

    The evidence does not suggest that home testing should replace clinical care. Rather, it supports self-collection as an additional testing pathway, particularly where it increases participation among people who might otherwise not test.

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    An easy support 3 times per year at your comfort!

    The test must correspond to the exposure

    An important limitation of simplified STI testing is that there is no single sample that detects every infection in every circumstance.

    The appropriate test depends on the infection being investigated and, for some infections, on the anatomical site exposed. WHO specifically notes that testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea may need to consider genital, rectal and pharyngeal sites according to sexual behaviour.

    A responsible testing service should make clear:

    • which infections are being tested;
    • which type of sample is required;
    • which anatomical sites are covered;
    • the limitations of the test;
    • when laboratory or clinical testing is preferable;
    • and what to do following a positive or inconclusive result.

    This is particularly important when a subscription model is used, because regular testing should not become a reason for people to repeatedly perform an inappropriate or incomplete test.

    Why a subscription?

    The rationale for ENDO’s subscription is for people who require regular testing and should not have to reconstruct the testing process every time.

    A recurring service can reduce several practical steps: remembering when testing is due, locating a provider, ordering an appropriate test and arranging the next testing episode. Where home self-collection is appropriate, it can also remove the need for a clinic visit solely to provide a specimen.

    The subscription model consequently addresses an implementation problem rather than creating a new medical indication for testing.

    The ENDO Testing Subscription provides a comprehensive testing cycle every four months, combining laboratory testing with selected self-testing options. The four-month cycle is a product design choice for users whose circumstances require more frequent testing.

    From testing to healthcare, through ENDO

    A positive STI result may require treatment, confirmatory assessment, testing at additional anatomical sites, partner notification or further clinical evaluation. The appropriate response depends on the infection and the test used. Testing is only useful if an abnormal result leads to appropriate action.

    This is why ENDO’s testing concept is intended to sit within a wider sexual-health platform rather than operate as an isolated test retailer.

    The pathway is:

    testing → result → partner notification → appropriate clinical follow-up → treatment where required → prevention and further testing.

    This is consistent with the broader public-health approach recommended by WHO and ECDC, in which diagnosis is connected to treatment, prevention and access to care.

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    ENDO Subscription box

    What the ENDO Testing Subscription is designed to address

    The evidence identifies three separate problems:

    1. STIs remain common.
    Reported chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis infections remain high in Europe, with substantial increases in gonorrhoea and syphilis over the past decade.

    2. Infection cannot reliably be identified from symptoms.
    Many STIs are asymptomatic, meaning that symptom-based testing alone will miss infections.

    3. Access influences whether people test.
    Evidence indicates that offering self-collection at home can substantially increase STI testing uptake without compromising linkage to treatment.

    The ENDO Testing Subscription is designed around these three observations. It provides a recurring testing pathway, incorporates home self-collection where appropriate, and connects testing with the wider ENDO sexual-health ecosystem.

    It is not intended to replace clinical care or to prescribe the same testing schedule for everyone.

    Its purpose is more straightforward: to make regular STI testing easier to access for people who need it.

    Count on ENDO!

  • Key facts on Chlamydia!

    Key facts on Chlamydia!

    ENDO is designed to build a connected sexual-health network, linking users and their partners with testing, healthcare, prevention and support services within a single ecosystem.

    What you should know about Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterium that can infect the genital, rectal and ocular tissues. Transmission occurs through sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth or anus of an infected person. An untreated cervical infection can also be transmitted from mother to newborn during childbirth.

    The infection is often difficult to recognise because most people have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they vary according to the site of infection. In women, chlamydia may cause abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding from the cervix, increased urinary frequency and pain when urinating. In men, symptoms may include urethral discharge, dysuria and testicular pain. Rectal infection can cause proctitis, with rectal pain, discharge or bleeding. Chlamydia can also infect the eyes and cause conjunctivitis following sexual transmission.

    Only a minority of infected people develop noticeable symptoms. Estimates suggest that symptoms occur in around 10% of infected men and between 5% and 30% of infected women. The absence of symptoms, however, does not mean that the infection is harmless. Chlamydia can persist unnoticed and, when left untreated, may lead to complications that appear much later.

    Pelvic inflammatory disease

    One of the most important complications of untreated chlamydia is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection affecting the upper female reproductive tract. The infection can move upwards from the vagina and cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes and surrounding reproductive tissues. Other microorganisms can also contribute to PID.

    The proportion of women with untreated chlamydia who subsequently develop PID varies between studies, but has been estimated at approximately 16%. PID may be completely asymptomatic or present with relatively mild symptoms. Possible signs include lower abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse, painful or frequent urination, and bleeding between menstrual periods.

    Diagnosis usually combines the medical history, physical examination and laboratory or imaging findings. During a pelvic examination, cervical motion, uterine or adnexal tenderness may indicate inflammation. Other findings can include an increased number of white blood cells in vaginal secretions, elevated C-reactive protein and a friable or easily irritated cervix. In some cases, further investigation may involve endometrial biopsy, transvaginal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.

    PID is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics covering the pathogens most likely to be involved. Treatment can eliminate the infection, but it cannot reverse tissue damage that has already occurred. Completing the prescribed treatment is therefore important, as is the simultaneous treatment of sexual partners when indicated, both to prevent reinfection and to interrupt transmission.

    Infertility

    The reproductive consequences of untreated chlamydia are particularly important because damage can develop without obvious symptoms. PID is associated with an increased risk of infertility, especially after repeated episodes or severe inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Importantly, infertility may also follow subclinical PID, meaning that significant reproductive damage can occur even when the person has never experienced clear symptoms.

    This is one of the main reasons why early detection and treatment of chlamydia matter. Screening and testing can identify an infection before complications have had an opportunity to develop.

    Ectopic pregnancy

    Inflammation caused by chlamydia can damage the fallopian tubes and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the main cavity of the uterus, most commonly within a fallopian tube.

    An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally and can become life-threatening if the affected tube ruptures. Early symptoms may include pelvic pain, light vaginal bleeding and an unusual urge to have a bowel movement. If rupture occurs, severe internal bleeding can lead to fainting, shock and a medical emergency.

    Preterm delivery

    Chlamydial infection during pregnancy has also been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Studies have reported approximately a four-fold increase in deliveries occurring before 32 weeks of pregnancy and a two- to three-fold increase in deliveries before 35 weeks.

    Premature birth can have consequences for several developing organ systems, including the lungs, heart and brain. Difficulties with temperature regulation, digestion and metabolism may also occur. Depending on the degree of prematurity, longer-term consequences can include cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, impaired vision or hearing and other chronic health problems.

    Infection in newborns

    An untreated chlamydial infection during pregnancy can be transmitted to the newborn during childbirth. Estimates suggest a transmission risk of approximately 50–70%.

    Newborns exposed to the infection are particularly vulnerable to conjunctivitis and pneumonia. Conjunctivitis has been reported in approximately 18–44% of exposed infants, while pneumonia occurs in around 3–16%. Without treatment, chlamydial conjunctivitis can persist for months and may result in scarring of the conjunctiva or cornea.

    For this reason, identifying and treating chlamydia during pregnancy is important not only for the health of the mother, but also for preventing infection and complications in the newborn.

    Epididymitis

    In men, chlamydia is one of the most common infectious causes of epididymitis, together with gonorrhoea. Epididymitis involves inflammation of the epididymis, the structure connected to the testicle where sperm mature and are stored. It may cause pain and swelling and can sometimes extend to the testicle, a condition known as epididymo-orchitis.

    Treatment involves antibiotics directed at the underlying infection. Sexual partners may also require assessment and treatment to reduce the risk of reinfection.

    Male fertility

    Chlamydial infection has also been associated with changes affecting sperm and male reproductive function. Inflammation associated with the infection may interfere with sperm quality and fertility. Appropriate antibiotic treatment can help resolve the infection and may improve reproductive parameters in affected individuals.

    HIV

    Chlamydia can increase susceptibility to HIV infection by producing inflammation and, in some cases, lesions in the genital or rectal tissues. These changes can make it easier for HIV to enter the body during sexual exposure.

    Among people living with HIV, untreated chlamydia and other STIs may also increase the likelihood of HIV transmission to sexual partners. Effective HIV treatment, however, prevents sexual transmission of HIV when viral suppression is maintained.

    Reactive arthritis

    In a small number of cases, chlamydial infection can trigger reactive arthritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the joints that develops after an infection elsewhere in the body. Chlamydia is one of the recognised infectious triggers of reactive arthritis.

    The condition illustrates an important aspect of chlamydia: the consequences of an STI are not necessarily confined to the site where the infection began. An infection that produces little or no genital symptoms can, in some circumstances, have effects elsewhere in the body.

    Why early detection matters

    Chlamydia is therefore not simply an infection that causes temporary genital symptoms. Its significance lies partly in what can happen while it remains unnoticed. Testing makes it possible to identify infection before symptoms appear or complications develop, while treatment can eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of onward transmission.

    This is also where ENDO can play a practical role. By bringing sexual-health information, testing, partner communication and access to prevention resources into the same platform, ENDO can make the steps between recognising a potential risk, getting tested, informing partners and taking preventive action easier to navigate. The aim is not to turn sexual health into a constant source of concern, but to make responsible action simpler and more routine. In this context, ENDO can help transform STI prevention from something people respond to only after symptoms or exposure into an ordinary part of sexual healthcare.

  • Interview with: DR. CHRISTIN CHUDY

    Interview with: DR. CHRISTIN CHUDY

    How would you describe what youdo in your own words?

    I support women in rediscovering their desire; for natural, authentic sex, but also for life itself. Desire often acts like a door that opens up much more. Many of the women who come to me don’t really know what they want. They’ve adapted for a long time, held themselves back, not only in sex, but that’s where it becomes especially visible. From this often arises the question: Who am I really, and what is my truth?

    That’s why my work is about much more than sex, even if that is often the entry point. Many feel a kind of imbalance in their desire for their partner, or in their connection to their own body. But once that door opens, it usually reveals a much larger space: their identity, their desires, and the question of how they truly want to shape their relationships and their life. Often, the starting point lies in themes like a lack of desire, not knowing one’s own boundaries, or the feeling of saying yes too often when one actually means no.

    How do you reconcile your works’ principles with fast-paced digital culture?

    The digital culture is a very broad field, especially now with AI developing so rapidly. I’ve often accompanied women who also asked ChatGPT for advice and received instant responses. In a way, this can function like first aid – an initial building block that a human cannot always provide in the same immediate way. At first, there is a light coming in from the digital world and AI, but then, to go a layer deeper, as I do in my work, you often need a human being. A person who holds you and accompanies you, who says: “Hey, look deeper there.” I find this combination very valuable: digital tools can offer initial impulses, but going deeper is a conscious decision through courses, programs, or 1:1 guidance.

    The fast pace of today’s world is definitely a challenge – mental load and information overload often make it difficult to know what we actually want. That’s why my approach is “slow” – like slow sex, slowing things down in order to truly feel and perceive ourselves.

    What’s a common myth about sexuality you have seen in your practice?

    The first thing that comes to mind is that many people believe desire is either something you have or you don’t. There is this feeling of: “I’m just not a very sexual person, I never have been. Maybe I’m even asexual.”

    But that is not true. Desire is essentially just energy that flows. We all have it. What happens is that we learn to suppress our feelings and emotions so strongly that we start to believe we are not sexual or not full of desire. Often, what is needed first is simply to remove that “lid” and stop suppressing it so much.

    How do limiting beliefs about masculinity, feminity, or dominance influence how people negotiate protection?

    It’s striking, because I recently came across a Reels on Instagram of a woman saying: “I didn’t want to have sex, I communicated that, and he responded by punishing me through silence and emotional withdrawal.” This went viral and revealed a lot about where society currently stands. 

    Many comments from men said that sex is something you are entitled to, or a right, while many women also said things like “just give him what he needs.” There were very extreme reactions on both sides. And this reveals a deep imbalance, because what shows up in the bedroom is often these power dynamics – the idea that the man is more dominant and has control over the woman’s body, even though we are living in the 21st century.

    This is so deeply embedded in our socialisation and

    conditioning that it becomes visible in sexuality itself. And the more women step into their truth, truly feel their boundaries, and express them without guilt, the more things begin to shift. Because if I feel bad for saying “no”, then we are not on equal footing. When we start to resolve this in our private lives – when we no longer comply out of gender roles or the belief that we have to make our bodies available – something changes.

    Women have made themselves available for thousands of years for things they did not want, and when that changes, it also has a collective, political and societal impact. That is why, for me, sex is also political. It does not stop at the bedroom door.

    What role does shame play in sexuality ?

    Shame is a very central topic in sexuality – not only on a sociocultural and societal level, but also on a deeply personal one. Our childhood experiences play a major role: Were you shamed when you discovered your body or showed interest in others? How did the people you looked up to respond?

    These early experiences shape us strongly and often lead to cycles of shame. Shame is one of the most difficult emotions – it does not say “I did something wrong,” but rather: “I am wrong. I am not okay” – with my desire, my sexuality, or even with not wanting sex. At the same time, shame is something that is created in relationship – and can only be resolved in connection.

    How can people start talking about pleasure and protection in the same conversation?

    What I find really interesting, and what connects these two topics, is consent, which of course plays a central role here. But I would actually start a step back, because the real issue is not just talking about pleasure, protection, or safer sex in one conversation – it is that many people do not talk about sex at all. Even basic communication around desires, fantasies, what someone wants or does not want, is still highly shameful for many.

    This is also true for younger generations, despite studies and reports. There is a lot of confusion and overwhelm due to the amount of sexual content available today, including pornography consumed on the go. Yet even there, sex is rarely discussed or modelled in terms of communication – there are no real role models for how to talk about it.

    And I think that’s where it starts. If we were able to speak openly about sex, then talking about contraception, STIs, and everything related to it would also become much easier. But because sex itself is still so heavily shamed, it takes away the space from these important topics. I’ve seen many situations where a man tries to convince a woman not to use a condom – or even cases of “stealthing,” which is now recognised as a criminal offence. And it reflects a deeper issue: that some men are still socialised into a mindset of entitlement over women’s bodies.

    So I believe that more openness around sex would also improve how we handle these issues. Even HIV awareness campaigns in the 80s and 90s were highly visible, but real behavioural change, in my view, has been limited.

    From your perspective, what does conscious communication look like when discussing STI testing or boundaries?

    I think there is so much to say about this, but one thing is important to me: we should not take the other person’s boundaries personally. Instead, we should appreciate and even be grateful for a “no” – to say, for example: “Thank you for telling me you don’t want penetration today.” Because that creates safety. You make yourself safer by expressing it, and it also makes me feel safer and the sexual interaction safer overall.

    I believe there needs to be a mindset shift here, because we often project our own issues of rejection onto these situations. Instead of thinking, “Now she doesn’t want me” or “Am I not good enough?”, we could think, “How great that they are standing up for themselves.” And of course, this applies to everyone – regardless of gender.

    It gives me more safety in the interaction when I know the other person is taking care of their own boundaries. No one wants the other person to go beyond their limits – that does not feel good for anyone. That is why we should be grateful when someone says no. It is something truly valuable.

    Are there any digital tools or approaches you think can support this communication?

    There are a lot of digital tools that can be supportive. In essence, they act like a door opening to what wants to emerge next. From there, you can explore how deep you want to go and whether you want to create or allow yourself a deeper space. Sometimes even a small impulse around communication or technique is enough to address a challenge in a relationship or in sexuality.

    There are now even sex toys connected to digital apps. In this area, there are also more and more mindful sex apps, podcasts and digital channels, that help people explore their own bodies, often through small exercises.

    Is there anything you wish we had asked, something important to add?

    I often say that sex is far more than what happens between the sheets – not only on a relational level, but also on a personal one. How do I show up at work or in business? How do I set boundaries with family or friends? How connected am I to myself, instead of simply doing what others want because I have done so for years? I believe many people underestimate how expansive this space becomes when we engage with our own sexuality.

    We often think of sex as just one area of life – and yes, it is – but it has a profound impact on all other areas. That is why it is worth looking at it more deeply.

    What’s one small step someone can take today towards a healthier sexual relationship with themselves?

    It really depends on where the person is at. From my experience with the people I work with, there is often a strong disconnection from the body. I would start there: learning to perceive the body differently – for example by consciously applying lotion or being fully present in the shower, really feeling how touch is experienced and what thoughts come up. Often, people notice critical thoughts about their body rather than appreciation, and that is where sexuality already begins.

    Even for those who feel generally comfortable in their body, challenges often appear around needs and boundaries. Ultimately, everything comes down to the body: do I open up or contract in response to touch?

    The key is slowing down and learning presence with oneself first, before bringing it into intimacy with a partner. When you are with a partner, it is about, for example, noticing how it feels to be kissed on the neck or the breasts – is this something I truly want, or am I doing it because I think I should? Body connection, presence, and slowness – these are the three key elements. It is not just one simple step, but depending on where you are, it is essential and simple even though sometimes not easy.

  • ENDO is coming!

    ENDO is coming!

    For decades, it was believed that sexual health was a technical problem: providing condoms, antibiotics, and colorful flyers in schools would suddenly solve the issue. However, sexual health has never been just a problem confined to a purely biological scale. 

    Epidemiological data are clear: a consistent increase in syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia in multiple Western countries in recent years. This is not because the microorganisms have become more intelligent, but because the prevention systems have become more fragile. As we see the structure weakening, the risk reorganises itself.

    It is a problem of language and the dissemination of information, and above all it resides in a deeply disorganised and ontologically incapable social scale of adapting to the new needs of the new times.

    When we observe the growing number of sexually transmitted infections, it is not only the control of these infections from an individual pain perspective that is in crisis, nor is it the consequences for the Public health systems around the world, despite the notable victory that was the fight against AIDS. What is now in crisis within our societies is an ecosystem that allows ignorance to grow, misinformation to spread, and partners not to communicate, and the whole of society not to question.

    I. Invisible divestment

    International organisations such as the WHO and UNESCO have repeatedly warned of the weakening of structured sex education, especially since the pandemic. In several European countries and the United States, there have been cuts to the curriculum, political resistance to evidence-based education, and the replacement of scientific programmes with moralising, stigmatising or biologically minimalist approaches.

    Shamefully, this may not be clear to everyone, as the consequences are not immediate, but cumulative over the years.

    Unfortunately, sex education does not work like a vaccine that is administered once. It works like literacy: it is a skill. When it is no longer taught systematically, that intelligence weakens, myths return. And when the myths return, so does the vulnerability of those involved, whether that be you, your child, or someone else’s child that will affect yours.

    It is strongly evident that sexual education:

    • does not increase risky sexual behaviour;
    • increases condom use;
    • promotes early testing;
    • reduces STIs and unplanned pregnancies.

    II. Disinformation as a parallel infrastructure

    When formal education shrinks, something else comes along to take its place.

    Today, much of sexual literacy is built through social networks, forums, pornography, and influencers. The problem is not the existence of these sources, but their absence of filters based on rigorous information that prevent its often misinformation from spreading. Quality clinical information coexists with malicious conservative trends and absurd conspiracies. At the same time, we know that proven prevention strategies are mixed with dangerous practices presented as innovation.

    So, contrary to what is often supposed, the problem is not a lack of access to information. It’s the excess of unorganised noise. This disorganised abundance produces functional ignorance.

    III. Digital dating and new relationship patterns

    Contemporary transformations in lifestyles are not merely moral or generational; they are a consequence of the most recent Polis’ revolution. Accelerated urbanisation, delayed parenthood, an increase in consensual non-monogamous relationships, international mobility and the normalisation of digital platforms for meeting people have altered the architecture of sexual networks.

    Studies in network epidemiology demonstrate that the density, the simultaneous nature of partnerships (a factor that is often overlooked in the present day) and the connectivity between different groups influence the transmission dynamics of STIs directly. 

    We are not affirming that new lifestyles cause the spread of infections, but rather that they modify the parameters of the system: higher turnover and interconnection require more frequent testing, more efficient communication, and interventions adapted to the digital reality. At the same time, sociological data indicate that younger generations report greater relational diversity and greater use of applications to meet partners, while facing persistent inequalities in access to sexual healthcare. 

    Thus, the epidemiological equation becomes more sensitive to the social organisation of desire than to the isolated biology of the infectious agent. Meanwhile, the way people meet has changed radically.

    Dating apps have transformed the relational space into a dynamic, fast and interconnected market. Studies in public health demonstrate that denser and faster networks of contact alter the transmission dynamics of sexually transmitted infections. This is not about moralising digital dating; it is about understanding that relational speed has epidemiological consequences and developing strategies to address something that is not a problem, but a feature of our times.

    IV.  A complex problem

    This reality is complex, but its logic is simple:

    The faster people circulate, whatever the mean, the faster infectious agents circulate too.

    We need the circulation of information and prevention to be equally efficient.

    This gives rise to the central asymmetry of our times: while technology has facilitated the formation of partners, it has not proportionately facilitated shared responsibility.

    Conversations about testing remain uncomfortable. Partner notification is often avoided due to fear, shame or conflict. And traditional public health systems were not designed for anonymous, ephemeral and digital networks.

    Therefore, we have a new relational architecture with old risk management instruments.

    The technological response to this new relational ecosystem cannot be limited to ‘just another application’, because the problem is not only functional, but also fundamentally structural, relating to exposure in an increasingly conservative, punitive and, at the same time, global society. 

    It sounds scary to say that you have chlamydia, doesn’t it?

    This is where decentralised architectures such as blockchain and, in a more mature form, Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials models gain relevance. Rather than storing sensitive data in centralised servers that are vulnerable to breaches, monetisation or misuse, these systems allow proof of an event (e.g. taking a test or changing a clinical status) to be cryptographically validated without revealing personal identity. 

    Pilot projects in digital health, including decentralised clinical records and verifiable certification of laboratory results, have demonstrated increased user confidence and reduced risk of data leakage, one of the main obstacles to the adoption of sexual health services.

    More than a technological trend, it is an epistemological shift: trust no longer depends on a central authority, but on irrefutable mathematical proof – or almost. In an area where the fear of exposure can paralyse communication, encryption can function as an invisible infrastructure of shared responsibility, not to replace medicine, but to enable information to circulate safely at the speed of contemporary relationships.

    IV. The contemporary paradox

    We live in an era of rapid testing, effective therapies, and robust scientific knowledge. It is impressive how much technology has been developed across Europe and the world, making significant and systematic progress in creating more convenient conditions for users. It has never been easier to diagnose and treat many STIs. And yet, the incidence rate is increasing.

    This paradox reveals something fundamental: it is not enough to possess tools, they must be integrated into a functional system for them to really be useful to populations.

    Sexual health fails not for lack of science, but for lack of mediation.

    Between the casual encounter and the relationship between the partners, there is distance and silence; two strangers who crossed paths in an intimate moment and then returned to their natural place.

    Between the positive result and the previous partner, whether used or loved, there is only emptiness.

    Between knowledge and action, there is social friction.

    It is in this gap that the risk of a pathological network is established.

    Testing for sexually transmitted infections has moved beyond the exclusive domain of hospital laboratories and the lengthy bureaucratic processes of the system. The dissemination of NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests) molecular tests, which are the gold standard today for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, has allowed for high sensitivity even in self-collected samples, reducing logistical and psychological barriers. 

    Meanwhile, point-of-care testing devices with response times of under an hour and validated self-tests for HIV and other infections have been shown to increase screening uptake, particularly among populations who avoid conventional services due to stigma or convenience. 

    More recently, microfluidic platforms and portable biosensors are bringing molecular diagnostics closer to the domestic scale, integrating digital reading and eventual secure connection to health applications. 

    The necessary innovation is not only in analytical precision, but also in reorganising time: between suspicion and confirmation, weeks are no longer the norm, but rather minutes or hours. While the timeframe shortens, the possibility of faster intervention, earlier notification, and more effective interruption of transmission chains opens up.

    V. ENDO as a mediation infrastructure

    ENDO was born in this intermediate, cold and empty space.

    It is a project deeply rooted in our knowledge of how this problem silently affects individuals, families and communities.

    Our team, each individually, knows that they are changing the world, transforming it into a place where relationships are easier, where the idea that those who share intimacy, sometimes for fleeting moments of pleasure that we are not in a position to judge, do not have to suffer for it for weeks, months or even years.

    We are not just another tracking app or information repository, but a secure mechanism for connecting individual responsibility and collective impact.

    • Its principles are simple:
    • There are no public profiles.
    • Personal data is not shared.
    • There is no social exposure.
    • There is encryption technology, epidemiology and, above all, digital ethics.
    • Health status changes can be communicated anonymously and responsibly.
    • There is reliable but free information provided by healthcare professionals.
    • There is the opportunity to receive the most convenient technology available.
    • There is a whole interesting world of sexuality to discover.

    We believe that by removing the fear of identification, one of the main barriers to notification is removed. By centralising evidence-based information, we reduce our dependence on informal sources. By integrating laboratories, testing, prevention and access to treatment within the same ecosystem, we reduce the fragmentation of a previously disconnected system.

    ENDO does not replace sex education; we deliver it.
    It doesn’t replace the healthcare system, we integrate it.
    ENDO acts as an operational bridge between literacy, diagnosis and action.

    In times where contacts are so quick and numerous, the only effective response is a fast information network.

    VI. It is not an app; it is a reorganization of accumulated knowledge.

    Historically, advances in public health have occurred when the way society manages risk has been reorganised: sanitation, vaccination, population screening. Each innovation created a new layer of mediation between the individual and the invisible threat. Today, the threat is not only biological. It is structural.

    The challenge of contemporary sexual health is not to convince people that microorganisms exist. It is to create conditions in which responsibility circulates with the same ease as desire.

    If the 20th century built antibiotics, the 21st century needs to build infrastructures of trust so that they reach those who need them in time. We already have all the tools we need

    ENDO proposes precisely that: a technology that organises collective responsibility without amplifying exposure.

    The pandemic of sexually transmitted infections is preventable, but this depends on how we structure our connections with each other.

    For all this and what is yet to come,

    Count on ENDO!

  • LAB in the BOX: A tecnologia que está a transformar o acesso ao diagnóstico da saúde sexual

    LAB in the BOX: A tecnologia que está a transformar o acesso ao diagnóstico da saúde sexual

    A forma como as pessoas gerem a sua saúde está a mudar. A digitalização dos serviços de saúde, aliada à crescente procura por soluções mais convenientes e centradas no utilizador, está a abrir caminho a novas formas de acesso ao diagnóstico. E na área da saúde sexual, esta transformação tem um impacto particularmente relevante.

    Apesar dos avanços na sensibilização e educação para a saúde sexual, muitas pessoas continuam a adiar a realização de testes para infeções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST). O receio do julgamento, o desconforto associado ao tema ou a necessidade de deslocações a unidades de saúde continuam a constituir barreiras importantes.

    Foi precisamente para responder a estes desafios que surgiu o LAB in the BOX, uma referência em Portugal na área das análises laboratoriais realizadas a partir de casa.

    Através de uma solução simples, segura e discreta, o LAB in the BOX permite realizar análises laboratoriais sem sair de casa. O utilizador adquire o kit online, recolhe uma pequena amostra de sangue capilar através de uma picada no dedo, envia-a para um laboratório acreditado e recebe os resultados online, sem necessidade de deslocações ou requisição médica.

    Na área da saúde sexual, onde a deteção precoce é fundamental, esta conveniência assume uma importância ainda maior. Muitas infeções sexualmente transmissíveis podem permanecer assintomáticas durante longos períodos, contribuindo para a sua transmissão involuntária. Conhecer o próprio estado de saúde é um passo essencial para proteger a saúde individual e a dos parceiros.

    A inovação do LAB in the BOX não se limita à conveniência. A solução assenta em métodos laboratoriais avançados e em rigorosos processos de validação e controlo de qualidade. Os testes são analisados em laboratório utilizando as mesmas tecnologias empregues nas análises convencionais.

    Sample
    STD complete – Sample kit

    Um dos aspetos que mais surpreende os utilizadores é o facto de uma pequena amostra de sangue recolhida na ponta do dedo poder fornecer resultados com um nível de fiabilidade comparável ao das análises realizadas a partir de sangue venoso. Estudos de validação demonstraram a equivalência entre amostras capilares e venosas para os parâmetros analisados, permitindo disponibilizar resultados precisos e clinicamente relevantes sem necessidade de deslocação a um centro de colheitas.

    Além da fiabilidade dos resultados, a privacidade constitui um dos pilares fundamentais do serviço. A possibilidade de realizar o teste em casa permite abordar questões relacionadas com a saúde sexual de forma mais confortável e confidencial, contribuindo para a normalização da realização de testes regulares.

    Num contexto em que a prevenção assume um papel cada vez mais importante, o LAB in the BOX demonstra como a tecnologia pode aproximar o diagnóstico das pessoas, promovendo comportamentos mais responsáveis e uma gestão mais ativa da saúde.

    Porque cuidar da saúde sexual deve ser simples, acessível e livre de barreiras.

    Mais informações em labinthebox.pt.

     

  • Lorem Ipsum 4

    Lorem Ipsum 4

    Where does it Come from?

    Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

    The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since 1966 is reproduced below for those interested Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.