Sexually Transmitted Infections

In 2010 there were 418,598 newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. The number of people catching sexually transmitted infections continues to be a major health risk.

Women are identified as being “particularly vulnerable” to catching an STI. The most at risk age group are young women under 25 years and especially those aged 19 years and 20 years.  It has been highlighted that young women do not always have the skills or confidence to discuss having safe sex with their partners and, while young men will use condoms, they won’t necessarily mention them unless their partner does.
Re-infection is also an issue for women, with at least 11% of 16 to 19 year olds in England becoming re-infected with an STI within one year of being treated for a previous one.

STIs take a huge toll on women’s reproductive health and are the leading cause of health problems for women of reproductive age.
STIs can cause the following health problems:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Cervical cancer
• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Still birth
• Infections
• Organ damage
• Infections passed on to unborn infants

STIs are spread through unprotected sexual intercourse and intimate touching.

If you have had unprotected sex or sexual activity with one or more partners; or if your partner has had unprotected sex or sexual activity with one or more partners, then it would be an excellent decision for you both to receive a STI test.

You can receive a free test via your local GUM clinic or speak to your GP.

For more information on STIs please click here