A report has revealed that cases of sexually transmitted infections among over-65s are on the rise and that demand for sexual health services are at an all time high, citing “chemsex” and the growing popularity of dating apps as two key reasons.
The report, lead by the Local Government Association, showed that to due changes in people’s sexual behaviour, sexual health experts are seeing more patients than ever with over 4 million appointments for STI and contraceptive help carried out last year.
STIs amongst those over the age of 65 increased by 20% between 2017 and 2019, with gonorrhoea and chlamydia being the two most commonly reported infections in this age group.
A recent rise in “chemsex” was also cited as a reason for the higher need for sexual health services. Attended by predominantly gay and bisexual men, ‘chemsex’ gatherings see groups of people meet and have sex while taking drugs like GHB and mephedrone.
The experts who carried out the LGA report claim that ‘chemsex’ increases the risk of sexually transmitred infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C and that this “has led directly to increased attendance at sexual health clinics, notably in cities/urban centres”.
Increased popularity of online dating apps is another reason for higher instances of STIs, claims the report. It said: “The high use and access to smartphones and dating apps comes at a cost,”
Particularly amongst women, these apps, that facilitate quick and easy ‘hook-ups’, have encouraged greater risk taking when it comes to sexual health and therefore, also increase the likelihood for needing treatment for STIs.
Councillor David Fothergill, the chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board explained how patterns of sexual behaviour have “changed considerably” over the last decade, especially with the rise of technology and dating apps.
This, along with a “small but growing number of people over 65 requiring support from sexual health services,” has led to heightened pressures on these clinics.
Despite the number of STI diagnoses falling, the number of people being tested isn’t with a 19% rise in those taking tests between 2020 and 2021.
Plus, the LGA found that more and more people are turning to the internet to find sexual health advice and reassurance, with many realising they don’t have to seek help face to face anymore.
Sexual health services, which are funded not by the NHS by but local councils, the LGA warns, are experiencing immense and sometimes crippling pressure to keep up with such high demand.
Recent cuts in funding under the public health grant which the government provides to councils has contributed to this. Over all, it is believed that this grant has fallen by a staggering £1 billion since 2015.
Fothergill warned that efforts to keep up with demands and continue to provide a good level of care for those looking for STI treatment and help with issues such a teenage pregnancy could be impacted again by further cuts.
Increases over the past years in women seeking alternative options to the contraceptive pill have also increased, with many turning to reversible solutions such as the coil, implant and injections.
The LGA found that the percentage of women seeking sexual health assistance doing so with the intention of receiving one of these types of contraception has risen to 56% in 2021 from a mere 29% in 2011.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We have provided more than £3.4 billion this year to local authorities in England to fund public health services, including sexual and reproductive health.
“Local authorities are responsible for providing open-access sexual and reproductive health services, including free and confidential HIV and STI testing, condoms, provision of the HIV prevention drug PrEP, vaccination, and contraception advice.”
The DHSC also said: "We have provided cash growth in the Public Health Grant for the past two years and the 2021 Spending Review confirmed the Grant will increase in each of the next three years, totalling £3.417 billion in 22/23 and reaching £3.553 billion by 2024/25."
Meanwhile, remote sexual health provider Preventx's Medical Director, Dr John White, said: "This report highlights increasing STI positivity rates within certain communities, and the significant pressure that sexual health services in the UK are currently facing.
"Our online sexual health services have seen an increasing demand for testing, and encouragingly we are seeing more people from communities that have been traditionally reluctant to visit in-person clinics. This increase in testing is positive but we must make sure that the services are there to treat and support people who are infected.
"The Government must ensure a fully funded strategy is in place to deliver a sexual health service that meets demand. By offering a combination of in-person and online testing, we can ensure everyone has access to high-quality and convenient testing no matter where they live. A fully funded online sexual health provision also helps to ensure in-person services have resources to see people whose needs can’t be met online."
