Dr Frankie – Sexually Transmitted Infections

Discussing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is still a bit of a taboo subject. If you ask your friends, chances are no one will admit to ever having an STI, and yet stats show approximately half of us will have an STI at some point in our lifetime. In fact, rates of STIs are on the rise – in 2022, there was a 50% increase in cases of gonorrhoea – the highest reported number since records began. We also saw large increases in rates of chlamydia, syphilis and genital herpes.

The most important thing to say about STIs is that anyone can catch them. There is unfortunately a stigma associated with STIs, with misconceptions that only young people or those who have a lot of casual sex are at risk. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Rates are actually increasing in older people, as many people view ‘protection’ as just a way to avoid pregnancy and become less diligent with using condoms or getting STI check-ups.

In the UK, the most common sexually transmitted infections are chlamydia and gonorrhoea. It is very important to get tested yearly for these infections as in women, they usually don’t cause any symptoms at all* and you won’t know you have it unless you get notified by a partner or get checked.

(*70% of women won’t show symptoms of chlamydia/50% won’t show symptoms of gonorrhoea)

Chlamydia is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. The problem is that it can be a silent disease, showing no symptoms but if left untreated, can lead to more serious conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and even infertility.

So how to get tested? STI checks are free from your GP surgery or local sexual health clinic. It can be done via a urine test or a swab. Most nurses will also let you do the swab yourself in the bathroom. Some parts of the UK offer ‘at home’ STI kits where they can anonymously post you a swab to do at home and return free of charge.

If reading this makes you want to knuckle down on reducing your STI risk, then follow this advice:

• Use condoms with new partners – at least until you both have a negative test. And remember STIs are transmitted by any kind of sex.
• Avoid sharing sex toys, or wash them and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.
• Get STI checks regularly (at least once a year) and if you choose to have unprotected sex with a new partner, ensure you both have had negative tests (even if you don’t have any symptoms)
• If showing any symptoms, then don’t have sex until you’ve been tested/or until you have been fully treated

If you want to open up conversations with your friends or partner about Sexually Transmitted Infection then why not head over to the Femfresh Instagram page and spread the word.