‘There’s no way he’d have sex with me if I said use a condom’ - the shift in attitudes behind a rise in STIs

Ireland has the highest reported rate of gonorrhoea infection across 30 European countries, with a record number of cases reported in Ireland in 2022, according to research published last week.

Sixty per cent of reported gonorrhoea cases were in men who have sex with men, but infections also increased sharply among younger men and women.

A bacterial infection, gonorrhoea can cause pain and infertility if left untreated. However, many sufferers do not experience symptoms.

News of the sharp rise in gonorrhoea cases follows a report that Ireland also had the highest rate of HIV diagnoses in western Europe in 2022.

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On today’s episode of In the News, consultant of sexual health and HIV Dr Aisling Loy discusses the rise in STIs among younger people in Ireland.

She explains how changing attitudes to safe sex are playing a role in the spread of disease.

and the longer term health implications of contracting these infections, particularly among women.

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by John Casey.