So, what are the symptoms of STIs in women? What are the most common STIs in the UK?ĭata from 2019 found chlamydia and gonorrhoea to be the most common STIs in the UK, and the hardest-hit city was London, with 2,535 cases per 100,000.
If you do have unprotected sex, head to a sexual health clinic ASAP, so that they can detect any STIs and help you to treat them. Instances of gonorrhoea – an STI which is becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment – have increased every year since 2008, and was up 11% between 20 alone.Overall, women account for 63% of genital herpes cases. Genital herpes and genital warts are most common among the 20-24 age group.In 2015 (the latest figures to hand from the Family Planning Association – FPA), chlamydia accounted for 46.1% of all STIs diagnosed and 70% of those cases were female.In 2019, there was a 5% increase in STIs in England, with almost 44,800 new cases being reported in 12 months.And the City’s not alone STI cases are highest in urban areas. According to Public Health England, one in four STI cases occur in London – that’s 100,000 people affected per year in the capital alone.If you’re sexually active and don't use a condom every time, have had more than one sexual partner, and your partner has, too, then you’re at risk. What are your chances of catching an STI? So even if you haven't had – or are planning not to have – sex, you should still be aware of what STI symptoms in women look and feel like. HIV and Hepatitis A, B and C are blood borne viruses.’ But others, like trichomoniasis, are caused by a parasite, while scabies and pubic lice are caused by lice and mites.
‘This is the case for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. ‘The main cause of most STIs will be a bacterial infection. ‘Different STIs have different potential infectivity,’ she says. Oral sex can put you at risk, too, as well as the sharing of dildos and other sex toy accessories.īecause, as sexual health nurse and author of Sexplained Helen Knox says: 'there’s no one size fits all’ when it comes to the causes of different STIs. And how do you catch an STI?Īn STI is an infection that is typically passed between two people through unprotected sexual shenanigans – and that doesn’t just mean penetrative sex. You can call the Department of Health's sexual health helpline on 03 for confidential advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Īlthough the new acronym SAI (Sexually Acquired Infection) is increasingly preferred, for ease, WH will use 'STI' throughout. What with HIIT, AMRAP and RPE, do we really need more abbreviations to care about? The good news is, these two, which stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection and Sexually Transmitted Disease respectively are, pretty much interchangeable.
From STI treatment to the most common STIs to watch out for, here's your sexual health need-to-know.
And it's why getting dosed up on STI symptoms in women is so important. Short story? It's clear that staying safe is tricker than you might think.