Female condoms are a great safer sex option; they are easy to use and also help provide protection against sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

The FC2 Female Condom is also a great option for those who have latex sensitivities and allergies as it is made from nitrile.  The only brand of female condom that is Heath Canada approved is the FC2 Female Condom. You can purchase the FC2 condom on Pamco’s website, with some online retailors, at assorted drugstores, adult stores, and find them available at some health clinics. 

FC2

Shop now

Why are Female Condoms Hard to Find?

The biggest hurdles the Female Condom has had to face in the Canadian market are the Health Canada regulations associated with the classification of the device, and a lack of both awareness and accessibility.  All condoms are considered medical devices so they have regulatory controls associated with their testing and distribution to ensure they meet certain standards.  Different devices have different classes they fall under with Health Canada, with the class determining what testing needs to be done and rules around distribution for examples.  Male condoms are a Class II which allows them easier accessibility by you, the consumer. Female Condoms are deemed a Class III, which means they are more stringent in their regulations.  This is why you cannot buy them on Amazon as they will not sell Class III medical devices.  So then, where can you buy FC2 condoms?

Where to Buy Female Condoms

Female condoms are available at Pamco both online for retail purchases or contacting us at info@pamco.ca for larger orders. Pamco offers the FC2 in a retail pack option of 6 FC2 or a bulk pouch of 20 FC2. The bulk pouch does have a BOGO option where your second bulk pouch has a 50% discount!

The order process for the retail page is simple. Just go to our retail page and click on the FC2 package size you would prefer. This will take you to a product page and you simply add it to your cart. You will see the cart in the top right-hand side of the page.

When you are done shopping, simply click on the cart icon and you will be directed to the page to complete your shipping and payment information. If you need to adjust something, then simply scroll down and on the left-hand side you will see a return to cart prompt. 

Frequently Asked Questions

FC2 Benefits

There are many benefits to using the FC2 condom that make them a great addition to everyone’s safer sex options.

Offers an option for women who have difficulty or discomfort negotiating condom use.

• High effectiveness rate against STIs and unplanned pregnancy.
• Made with nitrile, making them suitable for folks with latex allergies and sensitivities.
• Well lubricated for reducing friction.
• Can be inserted ahead of time to ensure your protection is in your control.
• One size eliminates guessing or using an incorrect condom size.
• The ring that holds the condom in place can be an added source of pleasure.
• Offers choice and control over one’s sexual wellness.

Resources are available to aid in learning about the benefits of the FC2 condom, how to use the FC2 condom, and assorted other FAQs that will help you make the best decisions for your sexual wellness!  

The post Where to Buy Female Condoms in Canada appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

Every month, roughly 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate. That is a lot of disposable menstrual products going into landfill around the world. The environmental impact of these products is overwhelming!

Landfill, Waste & Microplastics

Single use products are filling our landfill at an alarming rate and disposable menstrual products are certainly having an impact. In Europe alone, 49 billion single-use period products are used every year. In the US, it’s about 20 billion discarded each year, generating 240,000 tonnes of solid waste. Globally, disposable sanitary pads – which can contain up to 90% plastic and end up largely in landfill – are the most commonly used menstrual product. Both disposable pads and tampons, along with their packaging and applicators, contain plastics. These plastics break down into microplastics which then find their way into the world’s waterways. As plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, that means that EVERY single disposable menstrual product is still in our landfills or waterways. Think on that for a minute!

Menstrual health and hygiene are intricately linked to environmental issues, climate change and sustainability. Primarily, the prevalent use of non-recyclable and non-biodegradable disposable menstrual products, like sanitary pads and tampons, harms the environment. Their lifecycle pollutes water bodies and landfills, leading to microplastics and other environmental and health hazards.

Reusable Menstrual Options

What then is a better option for people who menstruate and our environment? What products are less of a burden on our world, while offering healthier options for users? The answer is reusable menstrual products. Period.

Menstrual cups are a great option to a more environmentally friendly period product. The reusable menstrual cup has been estimated to have the lowest impact on the environment by far, especially for waste. They significantly reduce landfill waste, have a lower footprint on the environment, and definitely are more cost-effective over time. A menstrual cup can pay for itself after 3 months and you only have to use it for a month before it breaks even on its carbon footprint.

Reproductive Health & Disposable Menstrual Products

Many disposable menstrual products also have a negative impact on one’s reproductive health due to the assorted chemicals and toxins used in their production. Many pads are bleached, giving them their white and “clean” appearance, contain phthalates, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and PFAs (forever chemicals). Many of these chemicals are known to cause or are connected to hormonal disruptions, reproductive health issues, certain cancers, and decreased fertility to name a few extremely concerning side effects.

A recent study also shows that several brands of tampons contain heavy metals and toxins including mercury, lead, and arsenic. As the skin of the vagina is highly absorbent, the obvious concern is the ongoing exposure to these chemicals through one’s menstrual journey.

Think Before Using……

We need to think about what we put into our bodies and the earth. We have options available that are more sustainable, environmentally friendly, healthier, cost-effective and free from toxins.

Final Thoughts: Be Part of the Change

The environmental and health consequences of single-use menstrual products can no longer be ignored. Switching from single use, disposable menstrual products have many benefits, for both you and our environment. Make the switch and be a champion of change!

Ready to make the change?
Shop our menstrual cups now

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Menstrual Cups & Sustainability appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

According to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, Global HIV, viral hepatitis epidemics and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose significant public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths each year.  As well, four of the curable STIs – syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis – account for over 1 million infections daily.

So why do numbers keep increasing? Where are the issues and disconnects that are resulting in STIs remaining an epidemic for so many years?

Why are STIs Escalating?

When the world was faced with a Covid Epidemic, there were immediate responses worldwide.  Yet STIs continue to rise, some are becoming or have become antibiotic resistant, and many result in long-term health issues.  STIs were already at epidemic proportions years ago, and yet they continue to rise with little to no awareness from the general public.

New data shows that STIs are increasing in many regions. In 2022, WHO Member States set out an ambitious target of reducing the annual number of adult syphilis infections by ten-fold by 2030, from 7.1 million to 0.71 million. Yet, new syphilis cases among adults aged 15-49 years increased by over 1 million in 2022 reaching 8 million. 

The issues surrounding the escalation of STIs are multi-faceted. They encompass funding, stigma, social and economic issues, misconceptions, and a lack of resources that result in a shortfall in education and awareness.  In short, they are entwined in every aspect of our lives and impact all of us in some manner. If we are to see the reduction or elimination of STIs as a Global public health concern the world needs to overcome the many political, sociocultural, economic, and operational barriers.

Health Impact

Due to the asymptomatic nature of a number of STIs many individuals are unaware of being infected. This results in higher transmission rates, long-term or chronic health issues, and ultimately a higher cost of treatment.  The diverse complications from sexually transmitted infections have a serious impact on the sexual and reproductive health of many.  If we are to see a global reduction in case numbers, we then need to have a series of guidelines and steps for all to follow. Is the concept of a universal strategy even feasible knowing it would require the cooperation of all countries with regards to prevention, diagnostic, treatment and changing behaviors?  From a humanitarian perspective we all would like to hope so!

The WHO’s report “Global Health Sector Strategy On Sexually Transmitted Infections 2016–2021” also speaks to the physical, psychological and social consequences of sexually  transmitted infections and how they severely compromise the quality of life of  those infected.

Human Rights Based Health Care

The right to comprehensive health care that encompasses all aspect of one’s well being should be something all people are able to access. Yet we know this is not the case, as well as being a large contributor to the epidemic status.  There needs to be strong partnerships developed between all other areas of health in order for this multi-faceted approach to work and offer all people access to basic health care.  We need interventions, policies and treatments that are built on human rights. Sexual wellness needs to be viewed as integral to one’s health as mental health, physical health, and emotional health are today.  Our sexual health directly impacts all of the other aspects of our health, so to continue to shroud it in stigma, shame, religious or political views negatively impacts our overall well-being.

The WHO recognizes that there is a gap in ensuring access to high-quality human rights-based and gender-sensitive services for STIs is essential. A greater focus is needed on implementing effective and efficient interventions, such as condom programming, comprehensive sexuality education and strengthened awareness around sexual health matters, targeted vaccination for HPV, hepatitis B virus and mpox, timely management of signs and symptoms of STIs, partner services, and population-focused and geographically focused screening and treatment, particularly for syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. This gap can only be filled by us all working together to take control of and eliminate the ongoing Global STI epidemic.

The post STIs are a Global Responsibility appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

Gonorrhea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It is prevalent among young people between the ages of 15-24 and is transmitted through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Gonorrhea can present asymptomatically, resulting in the increased spread of this STI and, if left untreated, can lead to infertility in women. . Gonorrhea can cause symptoms in the genitals, anus or throat and symptoms may present differently based on gender. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that in 2020 there were an estimated 82.4 million new infections among adults globally. So how do we reduce this number?

Signs & Symptoms

As mentioned, gonorrhea can often present without symptoms. This is problematic because without testing to confirm its presence, the infection is then spread unknowingly. So testing is a critical component of stopping the spread of gonorrhea. If symptoms are present, they can vary as to how they present between genders. The WHO lists the symptoms as:

In men, common symptoms may include the following:
• pain or burn when urinating
• a white, yellow or greenish discharge from the penis
• painful or swollen testes

Although most women with gonorrhea do not have symptoms or do not notice them, if they do present, they can include the following:
• pain or burning when urinating
• vaginal discharge
• vaginal bleeding between periods or during sexual intercourse

Anal infections may present in any gender as the following:
• discharge
• bleeding
• itchiness
• soreness
• painful bowel movements.

Throat infections are often asymptomatic. Otherwise, they may just present as a cold with pain, redness and a sore throat.

Treatment

Gonorrhea is one of the treatable and generally curable STIs. Yet it continues to rise. The Public Health Agency of Canada states that pre-pandemic, gonorrhea rates were rising rapidly. The 2021 gonorrhea rate was lower than the 2019 rate, although, 124% higher than the 2012 rate. This reduction in 2021 is often a reflection of a lack of testing availability during Covid and not a true reflection of the actual incidence rate.
Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics as it is bacterial in nature. The biggest issue that has arisen over the years is that gonorrhea is becoming resistant to the medications available, resulting in less options for treatment. This awareness has at least been the impetus behind the testing of new drugs to help treat this STI.

Prevention

Condoms continue to offer the one of the most effective methods of prevention as long as they are used consistently and correctly for anal and vaginal sexual activity. Oral barriers (aka dams) are the most effective prevention method for any oral/anal or oral/vaginal sexual activity when used consistently and correctly.

Another effective prevention path is through communication. Talk with your sexual partners about using condoms and dams, ask about testing and their health status, and be open about yours. Although these conversations may seem daunting at first, discussing one’s health, any aspect of it, needs to be normalized. Removing the stigma and shame surrounding STIs and sexual wellness will aid in the transmission of the infections and normalize prevention activities.

And lastly, education needs to be expanded to include sexual health and wellness for all to increase the awareness of the prevention and treatment options available. Increasing awareness, normalizing sexual health, and communicating and offering treatment and prevention options to all demographics, specifically any vulnerable demographics, will provide the necessary information and awareness of preventative options.

The Public Health Agency of Canada lists the following preventative actions:

• Learn about safer sex methods and practice them.
• Make informed decisions. Talk to your partner(s) about their STI status.
• Correctly and consistently use a condom and oral dams during sex.
• Get tested for gonorrhea, and other STIs, if you are sexually active, and encourage your sexual partner(s) to get tested.
• It is important that you or someone from your public health department notify any sexual partners who may have been put at risk of infection. They will also need to be tested and possibly treated.

All aspects of our health are intertwined. Sexual health can impact one’s physical health, emotional health, mental health, and reproductive health. Sexual health needs to be recognized as an integral part of our wellness so that everyone can make informed and comprehensive decisions.

The post Gonorrhea’s Rising Rates appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

A CBC article states that “chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were all rising steadily in Canada in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, federal data shows.”  While rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea dipped starting in 2020, likely due to reduced testing during COVID-related restrictions, syphilis maintained its upward trend after a briefer lull and remains a major concern for public health officials.”

The increase in case numbers is alarming.  What, then, needs to be done to reverse the rising rates of syphilis?

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.  It is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex.  It is highly contagious when sores or the rash are present and can cause permanent damage without treatment.  It can also present asymptomatically and, therefore, be spread unknowingly, even through the sharing of sex toys.  This is why testing for syphilis and any STI is so imperative for prevention and treatment.

Testing for Syphilis

Testing for syphilis is either a simple blood test or swab of a sore or chancre.  It is both easy to test and then to treat with antibiotics.  It is very important that you tell your sexual partners if you test positive so that they may get tested as well.  There were over 6000 cases of syphilis in 2018 in Canada. And as of 2022 this number has more than doubled to almost 14000.   This increase has also resulted in the resurgence of congenital syphilis, where the bacteria responsible for causing syphilis are passed through the placenta to a developing fetus.  Just a decade ago, syphilis infections among infants were nearly eradicated in Canada, but 117 cases were recorded in 2022, a 15-fold increase from just eight nation-wide cases of syphilis reported in infants five years earlier.

Prevention

As with all STIs, the only absolute way to prevent transmission is to abstain from any sexual activity.  But there are things that can be done to help reduce the risk of transmission when engaging in sexual activity.

• Get tested regularly, after new sexual partners or if a condom or barrier breaks during use
• Use a Dam (Oral Barrier) every time you have oral/vaginal or oral/sex
• Use a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex
• Don’t share sex toys or clean them before sharing
• Condoms should be used to cover the penis during oral sex
• Talk with your sexual partners about both of your sexual health

Some of the biggest roadblocks in prevention are the following:

• Removing the stigma surrounding STIs
• Increasing awareness of testing and treatment options
• Navigating socio-economic barriers for ease of access to healthcare options
• Having health practitioners integrate screening for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections into routine medical care

Next Steps

The good news is that syphilis is both preventable and treatable.  So, what are next steps to make sure the messages surrounding prevention and treatment are shared across the nation?  A Federal/Provincial/Territorial committee on STBBI (the Syphilis Response Steering Committee, within the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network) identified the following needs:

• Collaborate with FPTIg partners to address surveillance gaps to assess the burden of infectious and congenital syphilis, and to better understand the social and structural determinants of health, health inequities, and risk factors contributing to the epidemiology of infectious and congenital syphilis in Canada.
• Facilitate the development of educational and awareness strategies to improve guidance and messaging to Canadian health care practitioners in order to improve early detection, treatment and care of infectious and congenital syphilis.
• Facilitate the development of targeted educational and awareness messaging for populations at increased risk through the identification of approaches (e.g., using behavioural sciences, supporting community-led solutions etc.).
• Explore mechanisms to improve linkages with populations at risk, underserved communities and hard-to-reach populations for prevention, early detection, enhanced access to testing and treatment (e.g., rural and remote, northern communities, populations who are marginalized or racialized).
• Discuss and explore research opportunities pertaining to the areas identified in Appendix B. This may require broader engagement with FPTIg partners and Public Health Agency of Canada programs to assess their needs and prioritize research as necessary.

We need to take a multi-faceted approach to address the current public health crisis Canada is experiencing with the growing numbers of syphilis.

The post Syphilis is on the Rise! appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

Historical Views of Menstruation

The historical writings and viewpoints surrounding menstruation have aided in creating an environment of shame. A Globe and Mail article based on Jen Gunter’s latest book Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation speaks of the menstrual cycle as “the wheel that drives humanity”.

Writings from around AD70, by Pliny the Elder state that menstruation “is productive of the most monstrous effects”. And he further writes that crops “will wither and die”, and bees “will forsake their hives if touched by a menstruous woman”. The concept of menses being toxic was prevalent throughout many historical writings. The Medieval Era brought with it religious shame surrounding menstruation, resulting in finding ways to cover up the presence of one’s period. The Tudor Era (late 1400s-1600s) added another layer of shame and misinformation with the beliefs that “menstruation was thought to be a punishment from God, a curse on Eve for succumbing to temptation in the Garden of Eden. Menstruating women were regarded to be dirty and unclean, thus the church forbade them from using pain medications to endure the suffering.”

As much as one would hope that opinions improved into the 1900s, the nature of advertisements point to this as still being a taboo topic that required hiding. In 1950, Good Housekeeping, the popular women’s magazine, published an advert for Modess’ newly packaged sanitary towels, which read: “So skilfully shaped not to look like a napkin box, that the sharpest eyes couldn’t guess what’s inside the wrapping.”

Euphemisms

A euphemism is defined by the Oxford Languages as “a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.” And that definition pretty much sums up the tone of how periods have been viewed throughout history.

The sheer number of euphemisms that exist about menstruation support the overriding tone of unpleasantness and embarrassment. According to a 2016 survey by Clue, the period-tracking app, more than 5,000 euphemisms are used around the world for menstruation. A few are as follows: That time of the month, Aunt Flo, surfing the crimson tide, moon time, the curse, the visitor, my girl, Carrie, the English have landed, on the rag, shark week, and a variety of others, some by country and regions.

Removing the Shame

Ultimately, we must all understand that periods are simply a natural biological process that needs to be discussed openly. The only way to have access to reproductive healthcare, information and products is by having conversations about them. Everyone needs to feel safe and comfortable discussing menstruation, including having access to period products and healthcare. Reproductive health is shrouded in misinformation as well due to this uncomfortable and shameful tone through history. Many people who bleed do not access medical assistance for reproductive conditions due to shame or embarrassment, miss school, sports and work due to lack of access to period products, choose between food/rent/bills versus period products (otherwise known as period poverty), or suffer in silence from painful periods, endometriosis, and other reproductive conditions.

This overtone is still prevalent in today’s society and this history of menstrual stigma continues to have a negative impact on people who menstruate. In 2021, a group of researchers concluded that feelings of stigma and shame perpetuate the expectation that people should hide their menstruation.

We MUST begin to speak openly about menstruation. We need to remove the euphemisms that shroud it as shameful and secret. We need to make period products (tampons, pads, menstrual cups) accessible to all people who require them. We need to educate society that menstruation is a normal physical biological process. We need to remove the verbiage “feminine hygiene” and replace it with menstrual products. As Jen Gunter states “They are not “feminine hygiene” products because needing them is not a sign of being feminine – it’s a sign that you need something to catch blood – and they’re not hygiene products because menstruating is not unhygienic. They are menstrual products. And they’re essential.”

It is only by all working together that we can change the conversation around menstruation and reproductive health.

The post Removing the Stigma Around Menstruation appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

Period Poverty is a reality for many all around the world! Period Poverty can be defined as the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products during monthly periods and inaccessibility to basic sanitation services or facilities as well as menstrual hygiene education.  This directly impact one’s ability to navigate daily living activities. The lack of access to hygiene products can cause feelings of both seclusion and exclusion. People stay home from school or work, unable to participate in daily activities.  Period Poverty can impact one’s mental health, resulting in anxiety, shame and isolation.  One’s physical health can also be impacted with a lack of access to proper hygiene, including water and basic hygiene supplies.

How Then Do We End Period Poverty?

Education and awareness are the most effective ways to help remove the stigma surrounding menstruation.  The removal of this stigma and shame that is attached to it is only the beginning.  In any given month more than 1.8 billion people are menstruating. We need to create and share with all genders a message of normalcy around menstruation so that everyone can have dignity, health and an ease of access to supplies to fill their needs.  But again, this is only the beginning. Understanding that these products are a necessity and, therefore, need to be accessible to all in need is the next step.  This requires making them readily available to everyone, especially anyone struggling financially or impacted by harmful social misconceptions or ideologies.  Menstruation should never limit anyone’s potential or ability to function in any situation.

Government Pilot Project

Food Banks Canada received funding in September 2023 to aid in the distribution of feminine hygiene products for a pilot project that runs into March 2024.

The national pilot will:

• Test approaches to distribute free menstrual products to community organizations serving diverse low-income populations across Canada
• ·Partner with several grassroots organizations across Canada that are already advancing menstrual equity to scale up education and awareness activities, which will inform Canadians about period poverty and reduce stigma around menstruation

The lack of access to period products is directly linked to many social and economical factors.  Period Poverty can be either a lack of access to or an inability to afford to purchase products. According to a March 2023 Women and Gender Equality Canada report one in six Canadians who menstruate has personally experienced period poverty, and this number rises to one in four if their household earns less than $40,000 a year.  The survey also found that one in five people who menstruate say they may struggle to afford period products over the next year. As choosing between food or hygiene products is more and more an increased reality, we all need to work on reassessing how to overcome this issue.

Next Steps?

Period poverty is a multi-faceted issue. What does that mean? It means it will take a multi-faceted solution.  This includes education, dispelling of myths and misconceptions, normalizing menstruation around the world, addressing basic access to hygiene necessities, economical solutions, eradicating social prejudices, and ultimately creating an environment where menstruation is simply a biological process. Period Poverty is a basic human rights issue that needs to be addressed with the following:

• They need to have the right to use safe menstrual products during their monthly menses.
• They need to have the right to a safe and private place to manage their menses, as well as clean water sources and facilities.
• Everyone needs to have good knowledge about menses to understand the difficulty that a woman has to go through every month.
• Knowledge of menses can also help avoid negative stigma about menstrual periods. As long as people have a mindset that menstrual products are not a priority, women will always be discriminated against, and it will not be easy for them to purchase menstrual tools, seek help when they are in need, and learn correct knowledge about menstrual health.

Only by all working together can we help to find solutions to ensure these basic needs are met for all

The post Period Poverty appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) have been on the rise for years but so many people are totally unaware of this epidemic.  The Public Health Agency of Canada states that in the last decade, rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and infectious syphilis have been rising, and between 2011 and 2019, rates have increased by 26% for chlamydia, 171% for gonorrhea, and 389% for infectious syphilis. So then, what can be done?

Education

The best prevention is education and awareness. If the general populace is not aware of the incidence rates of these infections, then people will not fully understand the need for protection.  Awareness and education are the foundation of prevention.  Only by understanding the process of transmission, the steps of prevention and the awareness of the existence of these pathogens is anyone able to take control of one’s sexual health.

Although this sounds simple, the conversation can be impacted by social, economical, religious and political overtones.  The capacity to access products, testing and even education can be impacted by all of these external influences.   The end result is a multi-faceted need for change.  The more we speak about the need for sexual wellness, hopefully the more normalized it will become.  We need to remove the stigma and shame surrounding STIs and sexual wellness so that the epidemic numbers can become more manageable.

Testing

Testing can be a powerful type of prevention for any communicable infection.  And especially when many of those infections may be asymptomatic.  But again, testing then needs to be accessible and promoted. This will help remove the stigma surrounding sexual wellness and the fear of what exactly testing for STIs entails.

A short synopsis of testing is:

• Blood tests are done for the following: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and herpes (HSV).
• Urine tests or genital swabs can be done for the following: gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
• Oral swabs can be done for the following: gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV and HPV.
• Anal swabs can be done for the following: anal chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV.
• Lesions swabs can be done for the following: HSV, HPV and syphilis.

It is important to get tested if having multiple sexual partners, the condom or dam breaks or slips, you are not sure of the status of your partner, at an annual checkup, if showing symptoms or know of recent exposure, and/or as part of your routine ongoing health care.  The bottom line is that folks of all genders and sexual orientations should be tested once a year, after unprotected sex, or in between new partners — whichever comes first!  But the message needs to be promoted to and accessible for all!

The post STI Rates in Canada appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

What exactly is an oral barrier?   An oral barrier or dam is a sheet of latex or polyisoprene (non-latex) that is used as a barrier when performing oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex.  They are used to help reduce the transmission of infections that can occur during any oral sex activities.

Dental Dams vs Dams?

Dental Dams were originally used to isolate a tooth from the rest of the mouth during dental procedures.  They were, and still are for that purpose, a simple 5- or 6-inch square sheet.  Folks began to use them as a barrier during oral sex as they were a better option than cling wrap or cut up condoms (neither of which meet the regulatory requirements)!  But these were not exactly conducive to the sensual aspect of oral sex due to their thickness nor met regulatory standards as an oral barrier due to their smaller size.  Enter today’s oral barrier!

Why Give a Dam?

The late 1980s saw an increased openness in speaking about sexual wellness, safer sex practices, and sexuality in general. And more people started asking about dams.  The sheer number of STIs and the continually growing rates around the world today necessitate a variety of safer sex products.  Oral Barriers are definitely an important part of safer sex practices.

It is also extremely important that you use a dam that meets the ISO 29942 Standards for Dams.  Yes, there is a comprehensive regulatory ISO Standard regarding dams that includes proper sizing, viral barrier testing, biocompatibility testing, tear and tensile testing and a number of other requirements.  Nobody wants to, or should have to, worry that any product being used for safer sex practices is not going to do what it should.  And in order for that to be the case it is imperative to make sure the products you use, specifically condoms and dams, are fully licensed by your country’s governing body.

Dams that are for oral sex have a set of requirements that must be met for proper licensing as they are considered a medical device.  According to the regulatory standard all dams need to be 6 x 10 inches in size to ensure maximum coverage.  They need to have some flexibility in their tensile strength without tearing. They need to be the correct thickness to ensure they act as a viral barrier to help prevent the transmission of an STI.  They need to be made with products that are approved and meet biocompatibility standards.  They also need to be registered with either the FDA or Canada in North America. These requirements have specific parameters that MUST be met to be FDA approved or Health Canada Licensed.

Safer Sex Practices

Oral sex still has the risk of spreading infections.  The use of an oral barrier helps to reduce the risk when used consistently and properly.  There are many different factors that determine the risk of transmitting an STI.  According to the CDC, “Many STDs, as well as other infections, can be spread through oral sex. Anyone exposed to an infected partner can get an STD in the mouth, throat, genitals, or rectum. The risk of getting an STD from oral sex, or spreading an STD to others through oral sex, depends on several things, including:

• The particular STD.
• The sex acts practiced.
• How common the STD is in the population to which the sex partners belong.
• The number of specific sex acts performed.

Dams and condoms are considered medical devices in North America. This is to ensure that if they claim to help prevent STIs they have the testing and regulatory background to support that. ALWAYS make sure the products you are using are licensed or approved so that you can spread a dam, not an infection!

The post National Dam Day appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..

October 1-7 is Latex Allergy Awareness Week. This week is focused on bringing an increased awareness surrounding latex allergies and sensitivities. Latex allergies can range from mild to life threatening, and continued exposure has been shown to increase the severity. This is called sensitization. The Mayo Clinic explains this process as your immune system identifying latex as a harmful substance and triggering certain antibodies to fight it off. The next time you’re exposed to latex, these antibodies tell your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. This process produces a range of allergy symptoms. The more times you are exposed to latex, the more strongly your immune system is likely to respond.

What is Latex?

Latex is a naturally occurring substance that is found beneath the bark of the rubber tree. This milky white substance is harvested by tapping the trees. The bark is scored and peeled back to create a channel that allows the sap to run into buckets attached to the trees. The sap is collected and then processed into latex that is used in many common day-to-day items. Latex possesses a great many attributes that allow it to be used for a wide variety of items from gloves to balloons to condoms and dams. But it also can be life threatening to people who have a latex allergy.

What are you allergic to in latex?

A latex allergy is actually an allergic reaction to the proteins present in the milky sap of the rubber tree. Simply put, your body views the latex as something harmful. This response causes a release of histamines to fight the “intruder”. Histamines and other chemical responses are what trigger the allergic reactions and symptoms. It is the latex protein that creates this allergic reaction, one that can worsen over repeated exposure. This protein is very similar to proteins in some nuts, fruits and vegetables. It is not uncommon for people who have a latex allergy to also have allergies or sensitivities to the following foods:

• Avocado
• Banana
• Chestnut
• Kiwi
• Apple
• Carrot
• Celery
• Papaya
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Melons

What is Polyisoprene?

Interestingly enough, polyisoprene is created either by removing the allergy producing protein from natural rubber or as a totally synthetic product created in a laboratory setting. But polyisoprene retains the many attributes that natural latex has with its softness, tear and tensile strength, and comfort. Polyisoprene condoms and dams are a safer option for anyone who has latex sensitivities or allergies. They provide a necessary alternative for the growing number of individuals who suffer from latex allergies.

Pros and Cons of Polyisoprene

There are far more pros than cons when it comes to polyisoprene condoms and dams! The pros are obvious! You can enjoy safer sex without the concerns of a latex allergic reaction to the condoms or dams being used. Polyisoprene condoms and dams are a safe replacement for any latex condom or dam. The cons are very few and far between! The one that first comes to mind is that they are a bit more costly than their latex alternatives.

Protect Your Health!

Protection is available for everyone, even those with a latex allergy or sensitivity. The options are growing for access to polyisoprene condoms and dams. Harmony Polyisoprene Dams are available in both retail and bulk options. Your health, all aspects of it, is worth protecting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post What is a Latex Allergy or Sensitivity? appeared first on Pamco Distributing Inc..