STIs and Testing

This is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. A bacterial infection passed on through unprotected sex, sharing of unclean sex toys, genitals coming into contact with another’s genitals and more. It cannot be passed on through casual contact (kissing, hugging, sharing towels, toilet seats etc.). It is particularly common in teenagers and young adults. Symptoms include:

• Pain when urinating.
• Unusual discharge.
• Bleeding after sex and bleeding between periods.
• Pain and swelling in the testes.

Cases of Gonorrhoea have increased in the UK since the COVID pandemic, with a 21% increase in cases in 2022 compared to the same time in 2019. Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, painful infections in the testes and prostate gland and may affect fertility. It is passed through unprotected sex and sharing of unclean sex toys. It may also be transmitted through actions such as kissing and any other act that involves the transferring or sharing of bodily fluids, although this has not yet been definitively proven. STI testing is particularly important when it comes to gonorrhoea as 1 in 10 infected men and 5 in 10 infected women don’t experience any symptoms when they have it. Symptoms do include:

• A thick green or yellow discharge.
• Pain when urinating.
• Bleeding between periods.

A virus caused by unprotected skin-to-skin contact and penetrative sex, and more uncommonly by oral sex and sharing of sex toys. Symptoms include:

• One or more painless growths/ lumps around the genitals or anus.
• Itching or bleeding from the genitals or anus.
• A persistent change to normal period flow or urination.

Caused by a virus called ‘herpes simplex’, which will stay in your body permanently once contracted and can be triggered by things such as friction in the genital area, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Some triggers are unavoidable, however. It can be caught from skin-to-skin contact with the infected area, for example a cold-sore touches your genitals, infected fingers touching the genital area or sharing toys with someone who has herpes. Symptoms include:

• Small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around the genitals, anus or thighs.
• Tingling, burning, or itching around the genitals.
• Pain when urinating.
• Unusual vaginal discharge.

A bacterial infection which can cause potentially life-threatening problems if not treated. It is usually passed on through unprotected sex or by coming into contact with a syphilis-induced ulcer. Can also be passed on by injecting drugs with a needle used by an infected person. Symptoms are often mild and hard to notice but can include:

• Small sores (ulcers) on the penis, vagina, or anus. Usually painless and may only be one. May also get sores on the mouth, lips, or hands.
• White or grey warty growths around the penis, vagina, or anus.
• Rash on the palms or on the soles of the feet that may spread (not itchy usually).
• White patches inside the mouth.
• Flu-like symptoms (high temperature, headache, tiredness).
• Swollen glands.
• Patchy hair loss on the head and face.