Doctors have urged singletons to get STI checks now that pubs and bars have re-opened over fears of a boom in unprotected sex.
This is following a previous report after the first lifting of lockdown restrictions in April that revealed a 363% peak of online internal searches for “morning after pill”.
This means cooped up Brits were likely to have gone a little wild with their new found freedom.
But, testing for STIs is a major factor in practicing safe sex – especially if you don’t use condoms or dental dams.
And, male testing is up significantly more than female testing – meaning they're either more diligent or they're having more unprotected sex.
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor reported a 167% increase across a variety of male STI test kit sales, and a 42% increase across some of its female STI kit sales comparing the first week in May sales to the second.
This coincides with further COVID-19 restrictions lifting and an increase in socialising as more places open across the nation.
Further to this, the Online Doctor reported a rise in “the morning after pill” online searches during April with a 363% increase the day after Easter bank holiday weekend.
There are worries that as it was difficult in lockdown to access sexual health clinics people may have left STIs untreated and undiagnosed.
Meaning that if more people are having unprotected sex then there could be a boom in infections after a year without, or with little, testing.
Dr Gigi Taguri, Director of Medical Technology at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said: ‘‘It’s clear there has been a large increase in people struggling to physically access sexual health treatment services throughout lockdown.
“I have personally gained a significant rise in more STI assessments, with a particular increase in photo assessments for warts and herpes.
“Plus, lots of frustration from patients around the lack of access to face-to face clinics.
“People trying to self-diagnose warts or herpes and ordering treatment online first, which when then asked to send photos to be sure of the diagnosis and often, they are wrong.
“We recommend to fully ensure only obtaining any form of sexual health related advice and treatment from a reliable source.''
Meanwhile, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s Dr Sameer Sanghvi encourages anyone concerned around their sexual health to take an STI test.
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He said: “As the UK enters the next phase of lockdown, with indoor socialising now permitted, the increase in sexual interaction across the country is to be expected.
“Always using protection and understanding the steps to take when concerned about your sexual health is vital as we enter the summer.
“Due to the reported rise in STI sales and the increase in morning after pill searches as we enter the next phase out of lockdown, we recommend that everyone gets regularly tested for STIs.
“And if you’re showing any symptoms, please visit your local sexual health clinic or speak to your GP as soon as possible.
“If you’re not showing symptoms, but would like to check on your sexual health, then you can do so discreetly using the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor service.’’
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