DEMAND for STIs tests surged after England won the Euros match on July 5, stats reveal.
It suggests that, just as Covid cases are increasing, cases of STIs are on the rise as Brits get mingling again.
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LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor reported a peak in online searches for “STI testing” on July 5 – after England’s win against Ukraine.
More people searched for the term on Google than any other period between June 29 and July 5 after a jolly night of celebrations.
During the same time frame, the pharmacy also saw a 25 per cent sales increase in one of their female STI testing kits, and 15 per cent increase in one of their male STI test kits.
Levonorgestrel, a form of morning after pill, also went up in sales by 14 per cent in that week.
Lloyds said searches for STI kits tend to go up in the early hours of the morning, possibly when a guilty conscience kicks in.
It even went up at 3am on Thursday morning – just hours after England beat Denmark in the semi-final at Wembley, watched by millions.
The figures come before the Euro 2020 final on Sunday when England will face Italy.
And further restrictions are set to ease across the UK, which is likely to see even more people coming out to celebrate freedoms.
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s Sameer Sanghvi encourages everyone to get tested for STIs.
He said: ‘‘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.
“If you’re showing any symptoms, please visit your local sexual health clinic or speak to your GP as soon as possible.’’
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor Dr Gigi Taguri Director of Medical Technology said: “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 for 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.”
Symptoms to look out for
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s best to get a check-up ASAP:
Men’s key symptoms
- Bleeding
- Discharge from the penis
- Pain during ejaculation
- Tenderness in the testicles
- Rectal discharge (discharge from the rectal passage)
- Rashes or sores around the genitals or anus
Women’s key symptoms
- Unexplained bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when you pee
- Lower tummy pain
- Unusual discharge
- Itching around the genital area or anus
Even if you are experiencing no symptoms at all, you should still get checked if there is any chance that you have contracted an STI by having uproctected sex.
It is estimated that half of men and at least 70 per cent of women with chlamydia, for instance, do not experience any symptoms.
