The Cadence Protocol

sexual-health-conversation

The Cadence Protocol is a set of sexual health guidelines designed to standardize and simplify STI testing, ease communication between partners, and enhance safety and understanding across sexual communities. 

Cadence’s Revolutionary Three-Pronged Sexual Health Protocol

  • The Cadence 10 STIs

    Peace of mind, knowing you and your partners are tested for all the same infections

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    Cadence is standardizing STI testing with a comprehensive panel that screens everyone for the same 10 STIs. The Cadence 10 ensures thorough screening in our community. With Cadence, peace of mind comes standard.

  • The Cadence STI Status Badge

    Simplified results, making it fun and easy to communicate your STI status

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    The Cadence Protocol facilitates easy upload of your test results and provides you with a badge displaying your verified STI status. The badge simplifies your STI results and can be shared confidently with partners. With a stress-free swap of the Cadence STI Status badge, you and your partners can leave awkward and vague STI conversations in the past.

  • The 90-Day Cadence

    Stress-free, know when and where to test with a Cadence-friendly lab

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    Cadence promotes a culture of regular testing every 90 days, aligning with its goal to significantly reduce STI transmission within our community. The 90-day cadence allows for early detection and helps to prevent the spread of STIs to both yourself and your partners.

With Cadence's standardized testing panel, 90-day frequency and Cadence-friendly labs, you and your partners know what, when, and where to test every time.

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How to get tested for The Cadence 10 STIs

Why a Cadence-friendly Lab?

The Cadence 10 helps our community to better mitigate STI risks with new or existing partners. But you may encounter some push back from providers – after all, we are revolutionizing sexual health protocols.

When providers and patients discuss STI testing using language like “everything” or “all STIs,” this often leads to a list of tests that falls short of The Cadence 10 STIs. We want it to be easy and stress free to communicate with your partners and your providers.

Cadence-friendly Labs

If you are interested in a Cadence-friendly STI testing location, here's where you can find comprehensive testing for The Cadence 10 STIs without the hassle of health insurance:

Regular Providers

If you visit your regular provider, be sure to show them Cadence's list of The Cadence 10 STIs. You will need results for all The Cadence 10 STIs to get the Big Green Check on your Cadence STI Status Badge.

Living with Lifetime STIs

If you are living with a lifetime STI, The Cadence Protocol does not require repeat testing or the burden of proof for your lifetime STI. Repeat testing every 90 days is still required for all other Cadence 10 STIs. Before testing and uploading results to create the Cadence STI Status Badge, read more about your options when testing with a lifetime STI.

Create your Cadence STI Status Badge

Upload your lab results and we will send you a personalized Cadence STI Status Badge.

To be eligible, your test results must be dated within the last 90 days and include The Cadence 10 STI tests:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

HIV (1 &2)

Herpes Simplex 1 (lgG)

Herpes Simplex 2 (lgG)

Syphilis

Chlamydia

Gonorrhea

If you are living with a lifetime STI, read more about your options before testing and uploading results.

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What’s on the STI Status Badge?

Once you upload your STI test results, collected within the last 90 days, Cadence will send you the Cadence STI Status Badge. You can then share your badge with your potential sexual partners. Cadence will never share your test results with anyone but you.

What information is displayed on the Cadence STI Status Badge?

What information is displayed on the Cadence STI Status Badge?

At the top of the badge, you will see an icon displaying either the “Big Green Check,” the “Asterisk,” or the “Question Mark.”

The top portion of your badge will also list your name, your testing date, the Cadence expiration date (90 days post testing), as well as optional fields for pronouns and sexual orientation.

The lower portion of your badge will detail out The Cadence 10 STIs, so that you can clearly communicate your detailed STI test results with your potential sexual partners.

  • The “Big Green Check”

    Your Cadence STI Status Badge will display the “Big Green Check” at the top of your badge, if these three criteria are met:

    1) Your test results include all The Cadence 10 STIs

    2) Your test results are negative for The Cadence 10 STIs

    3) Your tests were collected within the last 90 days

  • The “Asterisk”

    If one or more of your results for The Cadence 10 STIs is positive, your Cadence STI Status Badge will instead display the “Asterisk.”

    The asterisk will also be shown next to the specific test result in the list of The Cadence 10 STIs.

    This allows you to easily share your positive status, making it straightforward to discuss with partners. It can be important to gain consent and discuss boundaries in relation to your status with your partners before becoming intimate.

  • The “Question Mark”

    If your test results are missing one or more of The Cadence 10 STIs, your Cadence STI Status Badge will display the “Question Mark” at the top of the badge.

    The question mark will also be shown next to the matching test in the list of The Cadence 10 STIs.

Why didn’t I receive a Cadence STI Status Badge?

If your tests were not collected within the last 90 days, Cadence will notify you that updated testing is needed in order to receive your Cadence STI Status Badge. We are here to help you find a Cadence-friendly testing site and navigate the process, so that you can mitigate STI risks for you and your partners.

SEX EDUCATION

What high school sex ed failed to mention…

I use condoms. Doesn’t this protect me against STIs?

Condoms are a critical tool in reducing the transmission of STIs (and preventing pregnancies), but they should be considered part of a broader strategy that includes regular testing and communication with partners about sexual health.

Here are some of the reasons condoms, on their own, aren’t enough:

1. Coverage Limitation

Condoms cover the penis or line the vagina or anus, which helps prevent the exchange of bodily fluids during sexual activity. However, they don't cover all areas of the genital region. STIs like herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is spread through skin-to-skin contact, can still be transmitted through exposed areas.

2. Proper Usage

Incorrect usage of condoms can compromise their effectiveness. This includes not using them throughout the entire sexual encounter, not applying them correctly, or using a damaged condom. Each of these mistakes can increase the risk of transmitting or contracting an STI.

3. Material and Integrity

Not all condoms provide the same level of protection. For instance, natural or lambskin condoms are porous and do not protect against viruses like HIV and hepatitis. Also, condoms can break or slip during intercourse, which exposes both partners to potential infections.

4. Asymptomatic Transmission

Many STIs do not present immediate symptoms, and individuals may unknowingly spread infections despite using condoms because areas that are not covered by the condom might still shed the virus or bacteria.

I have a lifelong STI. Do I still need to test every 90 days?

First of all, thank you for being a part of our community and engaging in transparent communication and informed consent! We applaud you!

If you are living with a lifetime STI, The Cadence Protocol does not require repeat testing or the burden of proof for your lifetime STI. Repeat testing every 90 days is still required for all other Cadence 10 STIs.

You can reflect your lifetime STI status in one of two ways:

provide a positive test result each time your Cadence STI Status Badge is created

OR

if you forgo repeat testing for your lifetime STI, you may select a positive status via the dropdown menu

When applying for a badge, simply select “Yes” under the question “Do you have a lifetime STI?” Once “Yes” is selected, a new section will appear, and you will be able to select the lifetime STI you would like displayed on your badge.

If "Yes" is selected for any of the lifetime STIs, your Cadence STI Badge will display the “Asterisk”. For more about the “Asterisk,” learn what’s on the Cadence STI Status Badge.

Cadence aims to ease communication of STI status for all users without creating an unnecessary burden for those with lifetime STIs. If you are living with a lifetime STI, Cadence empowers you to share your status, even in the absence of a positive test result.

It's possible to get a false negative test result after taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) for a long time. This is because ART can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, which can cause the body to lose some of its antibodies for the STI. This can lead to false negatives. The frequency of false negatives increases with the length of time the virus has been suppressed.

The Cadence Protocol enables you to easily communicate a positive lifetime STI status, even during times when the virus is suppressed to undetectable levels. Marking "Yes" for a lifetime STI will override any negative result from the corresponding essay in your uploaded STI test results.

Why test for The Cadence 10 STIs?

These 10 STI tests were carefully selected to form The Cadence 10. Each test plays a crucial role in safeguarding sexual health and well-being. Here's why we include them:

  • These viruses can cause liver inflammation and serious health complications if left untreated.

  • Testing for HIV is essential for early detection and effective management of the virus, promoting overall health and well-being.

  • Left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues, including neurological complications.

  • One of the most common STIs, chlamydia can cause infertility if not promptly diagnosed and treated.

  • Untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

  • These viruses can cause painful outbreaks and may have long-term implications for sexual health.

By including these 10 tests in The Cadence 10, Cadence ensures comprehensive coverage, empowering you to take proactive steps towards protecting yourself and your partners from the risks associated with STIs.

Why Test for STIs Every 90 Days?

Revolutionizing sexual health happens at the individual and community level. Committing to testing every 90 days helps drive that mission forward by empowering individuals with knowledge and fostering a culture of informed decision-making.

We believe in the importance of regular testing for several reasons:

  • Regular testing increases the likelihood of detecting any potential infections early, allowing for timely treatment and management.

  • By staying up-to-date with testing every 90 days, you're actively taking steps to prevent the spread of STIs to both yourself and your partners.

  • Knowing your current status provides peace of mind and allows you to engage in intimate relationships confidently and responsibly.

  • Regular testing not only protects yourself but also demonstrates consideration and respect for the health and well-being of your sexual partners.

  • By participating in regular testing, you're contributing to the broader effort to reduce the prevalence of STIs within our community and beyond.

  • Embracing regular testing and transparently sharing results is a pivotal step in reducing transmission rates over time. By committing to this practice, we lay the foundation for a future where STI prevalence could be dramatically reduced, ushering in a world of enhanced sexual health for generations to come.

Through 90-day testing, simplified results, and easy communication, Cadence empowers you to proactively manage your sexual health, fostering a community where safety, transparency, consent, and well-being are paramount.

The future of Cadence

By taking part in Cadence, you are contributing to a collective effort to reduce STI transmission rates, promoting safe sexual health practices, and fostering a culture of responsibility and open communication in intimate relationships.

This is just the start of The Cadence Protocol revolution! We have big plans to expand knowledge about STI testing and ease the burden of communication, while promoting inclusivity, sex positivity, and consent.

We would love to hear your thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, feedback, and praise 😉.