Do gay people have more stds
New STI figures show continued increases among gay men
Latest figures published today (5 July 2016) from Widespread Health England (PHE) show there were 434,456 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in England in 2015; 54,275 of which were among gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, a 10% increase since 2014. Chlamydia was the most commonly diagnosed STI, accounting for 46% of diagnoses (200,288 cases), followed by genital warts (68,310 cases).
The 2015 statistics represent a small decrease (3%) when compared to 2014. This is primarily due to falls in diagnoses for chlamydia (4%) and genital warts (7%).
However, in the same period there were large increases in diagnoses of gonorrhoea (11%) and syphilis (20%), continuing the rising trends in these infections of the past 5 years. These rises have occurred mostly in male lover, bisexual or other men who hold sex with men.
The impact of STIs remains greatest in young people under the age of 25 years, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The massive fall in genital warts seen this year in adolescent women is an expected positive outcome of the national HPV vaccination programme.
Sexual health - Dr Gwen
Sexual health for gay and pansexual men
Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to hand over on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Using a condom helps protect against HIV and lowers the chance of getting many other STIs.
If you’re a man having sex with men (MSM), without condoms and with someone new, you should have an STI and HIV evaluate every 3 months, otherwise, it should be at least once a year. This can be done at a sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This is key, as some STIs do not produce any symptoms.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection that's spread by a virus in poo.
Hepatitis A is uncommon in the UK but you can procure it through sex, including oral-anal sex ("rimming") and giving oral sex after anal sex. MSM with multiple partners are particularly at risk. You can also get it through contaminated nourishment and drink.
Symptoms of hepatitis A can come up to 8 weeks after sex and include tiredness and feeling sick (nausea).
Hepatitis A is not usually life-threatening and most people make a occupied recovery within a couple of months.
MSM can avoid getting hepatitis A by:
- washing hands after se
Sexually transmitted infection uncertainty in England is greatest in gay men and young adults
There were 446,253 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in England in 2013, according to new Public Health England (PHE) data out today: close to the number diagnosed in 2012 (448,775 cases).
Chlamydia was the most common STI, making up 47% of all diagnoses (208,755), while gonorrhoea diagnoses saw a large ascend, up 15% from 2012 to 2013 (29,291).
Among heterosexuals diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 2013, young people (15 to 24 years) experienced the highest STI rates: 63% of chlamydia cases (56,034), 54% of genital warts (36,312), 42% of genital herpes (12,450) and 56% of gonorrhoea (8,122).
Gay men were also disproportionately affected, accounting for 81% of syphilis (2,393) and 63% of gonorrhoea (13,570) cases in male GUM clinic attendees. Gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 26% in this team, nearly double the national rate, which is of particular concern as harder to treat gonorrhoea strains emerge.
Dr Catherine Lowndes, consultant scientist in PHE’s STI surveillance team, said:
Sustained attempts to encourage people to regularly get checked for STIs means
Why Do Gay Men Have a Higher Chance of Getting HIV?
HIV is preventable. Here are a few ways to reduce the risk of transmission.
1. Use a barrier method during sex
Condoms and other barrier methods can guard against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you possess HIV or another STI, getting treatment and using a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex can reduce the risk of transmission.
If you don’t have an STI, you can protect yourself from acquiring an STI by using a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex.
Also, it’s important to buy the right size condom for you and to operate it properly.
2. Choose alternative sexual activities
Some activities carry a higher risk of HIV transmission than others.
The chance of transmission is high during anal sex without a condom or other barrier method.
The chance of transmission is low during oral sex or activities that don’t involve contact with bodily fluids.
3. Limit your number of sexual partners
The chance of HIV transmission increases with the number of sexual partners a person has.
4. Get testing and treatment
If you’re an MSM, consider getting