As annoying as they are, cold sores are thankfully benign. Also known as “fever blisters,” cold sores result from a common viral infection that causes small blisters to emerge around your lips. After breaking, the blisters form scabs that last a few days.  Typically, cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). On rare occasions, they’re caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which also produces most forms of genital herpes.  Wondering if all cold sores are herpes? At the sound of the word “herpes,” most people think of a sexually transmitted infection (STI ..read more

If you’ve ever heard of or experienced ovarian cysts, you might immediately think they have something to do with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and vice versa. The two, however, aren’t exactly the same thing.  If you’ve been dealing with health problems like ovarian cysts or PCOS or think you may have symptoms of either, Maple can help. Maple is a virtual health platform that gives you access to Canadian-licensed doctors and specialists, such as gynecologists and endocrinologists online.  So, what are the differences between ovarian cysts vs. PCOS and can you have both? If you’re a ..read more

Let’s cut to the chase: plenty of Canadian men experience erectile dysfunction (ED) — 40% of Canadian men over 40 to be exact. Despite this, many men are too embarrassed to talk to their healthcare providers about it. But, not getting treatment is never the answer when something is affecting your day-to-day life. A number of different factors can cause ED, including an underlying health condition, which makes addressing the issue with your healthcare provider a must. Before you start to worry, know that ED doesn’t automatically mean a scary, mystery diagnosis. Lifestyle choices like smoking, a ..read more

Diet can be a powerful tool for helping to manage your PCOS symptoms. And, if you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, your healthcare provider might recommend that you modify your lifestyle. The caveat is that you have to know exactly what you should eat. A PCOS diet doesn’t have to be restrictive, but it can prompt drastic changes to your eating routine. If you’re struggling with addressing your PCOS symptoms nutritionally, we can help. Maple is Canada’s leading virtual care platform that connects you with Canadian-licensed doctors and healthcare providers, including dietitians. Partnering with an o ..read more

Sex is a personal thing. Everyone has different tastes, desires, and hang-ups. Some have one sexual partner for their entire lives, while others see lovers come and go. Despite this wide range of “normal,” many feel like they have to lie, deny, or exaggerate when it comes to how many people they’ve slept with. But, outside of societal expectations, is it possible to have too many bedfellows? When it comes to sex, how many sexual partners is “too many?” What counts as a sexual partner? While “sexual partner” isn’t a very sexy term, it simply means someone you’re engaging in sexual activity with ..read more

Over 60% of Canadians report never having STI testing, which means there are a lot of people walking around who may not know their status. Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship and don’t have a number of sexual partners, it’s a good idea to speak to your partner about whether they’ve been tested for STIs before. Here’s everything you need to know about STIs, from how to mitigate your risk to how to speak to your teen about them. What are STIs, and what causes them? An STI (sexually transmitted infection) or STD (sexually transmitted disease) is an infection that spreads through sexual co ..read more

You may find the idea of premature ejaculation embarrassing, but if you experience it, you’re definitely not alone. Premature ejaculation is likely the most prevalent form of sexual dysfunction out there. But while it may be common, premature ejaculation isn’t necessarily normal. Here’s everything you need to know about premature ejaculation, including how to treat it at home. Premature ejaculation causes Premature ejaculation (PE) can have a number of causes. If you’ve been experiencing PE since you started being sexually active, you’re classified as having primary, or life-long premature eja ..read more

Birth control pills are a form of round-the-clock contraception. You only need to take one pill once a day to be protected from unwanted pregnancy. Birth control pills can also help with certain health conditions. As with any birth control method, it’s important to remember that the pill is not always 100% effective. The pill is 91-99% effective when taken perfectly. That means you’re taking your pill at the same time every day, not skipping days, and using alternative forms of non-hormonal birth control as barriers in case a pill is missed and to protect against STIs. Whatever your reasons fo ..read more

What is PCOS? PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that affects your menstrual cycle. Women who have PCOS tend to have high levels of androgens, which are hormones that cause male characteristics like facial hair growth and deeper voice tenor. Androgens are secreted in small amounts by the female reproductive system, but too much can throw off normal ovulation. Every month, your body generates a number of follicles, but usually only one of them makes it through the whole ovulatory process to become an egg. Typically, if that egg isn’t fertilized, your body expels it and th ..read more