The rise of gonorrhea and chlamydia among over-65s is helping to push sexual health services to breaking point, according to a new report.
Sexual health services provided more than 4m appointments last in 2021, a 16% rise from the previous year, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). In Liverpool, more than 4,600 new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were diagnosed, 700 more than the previous year.
The growing number of visits is fuelled in part by a 20% rise in common STIs diagnosed among over-65s last year. Cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia rose the most. David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board said: "It's really encouraging to see so many people take their sexual and reproductive health seriously and attend their local sexual health clinic for advice and support.
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"However, as this report shows, councils are facing a perfect storm of increased demand for services whilst at the same time continued cuts to their funding. This is unsustainable and risks a reversal in the encouraging fall in some STIs and potential increases in unwanted pregnancies."
With the number of STIs diagnosed rising, it's worth knowing what to look out for so you can get symptoms checked and avoid spreading the infection.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap", is caused by a bacteria mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid, according to the NHS. It can be spread through sex, by sharing sex toys, and to a baby during pregnancy. It can be treated with a single antibiotic injection.
Symptoms, which are present in roughly 90% of people with gonorrhea, include:
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discharge from the vagina or penis - this may be thin or watery, and may be green, yellow or white
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pain or a burning sensation when urinating
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bleeding between periods, heavier periods, or bleeding after sex
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pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen or testicles
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inflammation or swelling of the foreskin
Chlamydia
One of the most common STIs in the UK, chlamydia can be spread through unprotected sex, sharing sex toys, contact between genitals, and getting infected bodily fluid into your eye. Most people don't notice any symptoms, and it can be treated with a short course of antibiotics, but it can cause "long-term health problems" if it's not treated and it spreads to other parts of the body. Left untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and inflammation of the testicles, according to the NHS.
When symptoms do appear, they usually include
- pain when urinating
- unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or bottom - this can be white, cloudy or watery
- pain in the tummy, bleeding after sex and bleeding between periods
- pain and swelling in the testicles, and burning or itching in the urethra
James Woolgar, chair of the English HIV and Sexual Health Commissioners Group, and also sexual health commissioning lead at Liverpool Council, said: "Sexual and reproductive ill-health and unplanned conception has a detrimental effect on relationships, emotional and physical wellbeing as well as financial impact for the individual and the healthcare system.
"As with many health related conditions, the burden of sexual ill health is seen disproportionately by people experiencing poverty, people from ethnic minority groups, young people and people from the LGBTQ+ community.
"Services were already becoming stretched and required more resource pre-pandemic, we have been innovative and opened up access online, but as know this often leads to us finding even more unmet need. This is a good thing, but it requires proper funding.
"Good sexual and reproductive health is dependent on good quality services with the capacity to enable good access and to empower our residents to look after their own sexual health and wellbeing. Unfortunately with overstretched and underfunded services this is often not the case and the increasing demand means that health inequality is widening."
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