As gonorrhoea and syphilis levels soar in the UK, here's everything you need to know about sexually transmitted infections
As much as we would like to ignore it, there's no denying that having sex opens you up to the possibility of catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to the latest figures from UK Health Security Agency, cases of gonorrhoea in England are at a record high. There were 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea in 2022 - up 50% on the 54,661 recorded the year before – and syphilis cases have increased by 15%, from 7,543 to 8,692.
According to the stats, the age group most likely to be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections is people who are 15-24 – and though the higher numbers may in part be due to increased testing, experts believe infections are certainly on the rise.
It's estimated that 78% of men would take contraception, but they fear the potential side effects.
Symptoms for gonorrhoea can include a thick green or yellow discharge, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods – but often, there's no symptoms at all.
STI rates in general were lower in 2020 because of lockdown – which saw fewer people having sex with new partners – but other than that dip, they have continued to rise.
Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI overall, with 199,233 cases recorded, while syphilis cases reached the highest in any given year since 1948. Gonorrhoea numbers were the highest since annual records began in 1918.
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The best defence against STIs is always condoms. If you're having sex casually or with a new partner, it's always advised to both get yourselves tested so you don't pass anything on – and if you've slept with someone new without a condom, get yourself to a sexual health clinic to protect yourself.
Remember, not all sexually transmitted infections cause symptoms, so it's always best to get tested if you've been with a new partner, to be sure. And just so you're clued up, here's what to look out for when it comes to STIs – so you'll know what to do if you catch more than feelings when you next get bizzee…