Why STIs are on the rise among young people

A young person is diagnosed with an STI every four minutes in England

(Getty Images/Vetta)

They’re incredibly common, they rarely cause symptoms, and yet sexually transmitted infections (STIs) carry a notable stigma in contemporary society.

More than just an everyday taboo, research has found that the culture of shame surrounding STIs is preventing people from getting checked and leading to an increase in the spread of infection.

Now, data from Public Health England reveals that a young person is diagnosed with either chlamydia or gonorrhoea every four minutes in England.

Cases of gonorrhoea also rose by 22 per cent from 2016 to 2017, which experts put down to the emergence of a new strain of the infection which is resistant to antibiotics.

But the ubiquity of STIs warrants more than just a medical explanation: according to sexual health experts, there are a number of social factors at play too.

Despite being the only safe, non-hormonal form of contraception that protects against STIs, many people eschew condoms, with the SKYN Condoms 2018 Millennial Sex Survey revealing that just 56 per cent of men regularly use them.

Speaking to The Independent, Sarah Welsh, co-founder at condom company HANX, explains that men and women may be reluctant to use condoms because they feel embarrassed or awkward.

“Our research has found that people also worry condom use reduces pleasure and intimacy,” she adds. “Women in particular worry that they are seen as promiscuous if they use condoms.

“Others are put off by the tacky smell of regular condoms.”

Another key problem is the social stigma we attach to STIs themselves, explains Alix Fox, ambassador for Brook young people’s sexual wellbeing charity.

“Young people still believe that they’ll be able to tell if someone is carrying an infection just by looking at them,” she tells The Independent.

“They assume there will be discharge, a smell, lumps ‘n’ bumps, or some other visible clue that something’s up with a partner’s down-belows. Yet many STIs are masters of disguise.”

Indeed, the majority of STIs are symptomless, making it all the more important for people to get regular check-ups.

“People can look and feel A-OK for a long time whilst carrying an STI,” Fox continues, “and if they’re left to fester undetected, infections can lead to major health issues including pelvic inflammatory disease, reactive arthritis, infertility, swollen testicles, and a higher risk of miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women.”

The Unexpected Fluids host, who is also the face of ONE condoms, adds that a lot of people choose not to use condoms because they think any STIs they may contract will be easily-treated with a single pill.

“Whilst broad-spectrum antibiotics can treat certain STIs [such as chlamydia], other types cannot be cured, and can have effects for life.

“In addition, antibiotic-resistant strains are becoming increasingly worrisome. Prevention is always better than cure – especially when there may not be a cure.”

Meanwhile, other people may think they’re protected from STIs if they are using other forms of contraception, like the coil or the pill.

“Then there’s the still horribly prevalent belief that STIs – particularly HIV – are simply 'something that happens to other people’,” Fox continues.

“Nope. They can and do happen to anyone who isn’t practising safer sex.”

As for what can be done, Fox advises encouraging young people to become “condom confident” while raising awareness for the amount of free condom programmes that exist in the UK for under 25s, such as the C-Card scheme, which gives you free condoms in high street shops and chemists.

“Highlighting ways to make condoms feel better during sexual activity is crucial, too,” she adds, “as is letting people know about new design developments that bring bonuses such as increased sensation and comfort.

“Condoms can be so much more than a necessary-but-annoying chore; they can genuinely bring a host of benefits to the bedroom.”