Young people risking infertility

More than half of all newly diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases occur in the under 25 age group, according to the latest figures released by the Health Protection Agency.

Many of these infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital herpes, often have no symptoms but can lead to complications if left untreated, ultimately resulting in permanent damage such as infertility.

Last year the number of people with newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI) increased by 0.5%. Of these, more than half occurred in the 16 to 25 age group, although they represent only 12% of the population.

Although the number of sexually transmitted infections due to gonorrhoea dropped from 18,649 in 2007 to 16,629 in 2008, a fall of 11%, other sexually transmitted infections have continued to rise in the past year.

The number of people with herpes increased by 10% from 26,270 new cases in 2007 to 28,957 in 2008. And new cases of genital warts increased by 3%.

Syphilis, a relatively uncommon STI in the UK, showed a 4% decrease from 2,633 cases in 2007 to 2,524 new cases in 2008.

Chlamydia was the most common STI last year. Over 80,000 new cases were diagnosed with 65% occurring in the under 25 age group.

"Early detection is vital for both men and women as some infections, particularly chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital herpes, can often have no symptoms. This means people may be unaware that they are infected and can pass the infection on to others. Without early treatment both chlamydia and gonorrhoea can lead to complications - when treatment can sometimes be too late to stop permanent damage such as infertility," said Dr. Gwenda Hughes, head of the Health Protection Agency's Sexually Transmitted Infections Department.

"We need to continue to encourage safer sex, including condom use, to help reduce the spread of STI's. We also recommend that anyone with a new or casual sexual partner gets tested regularly at a GUM clinic or through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. If people think they are at risk of having contracted an STI, or have any symptoms, they should go to a GUM or sexual health clinic for a check-up as soon as possible," she added.

This article was published on Mon 27 July 2009