It is the second year in a row that the number of young adults who tested positive for gonorrhea at the CSG has increased
The number of people in the Netherlands with gonorrhea is increasing significantly. In 2023, the number of diagnoses of this sexually transmitted disease increased by 31% compared to 2022. These were people who had themselves tested at one of the sexual health centers (CSG (Sexual Health Center)) of the GGD (Municipal Health Service). . The increase is greatest among women and heterosexual men under the age of 25. This is evident from the new Sexual Health Thermometer from the RIVM.
It is the second year in a row that the number of young adults who tested positive for gonorrhea at the CSG (Sexual Health Center) has increased. In mid-2022, the RIVM already reported that the number of people with gonorrhea was increasing. This was an increase of 33% compared to 2021.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria can cause infections of the urethra, rectum, throat and epididymis in men. In women, the bacteria can cause infections of the urethra, rectum, throat, cervix and fallopian tubes.
Increase noticeably in young women and heterosexual men
In 2023, there were more than 13,800 gonorrhea diagnoses at the CSGs. That is an increase of 31% compared to 2022. Although gonorrhea is still most common in men who have sex with men, the increase in young women and young heterosexual men is particularly striking. This mainly concerns people with a high level of education, without a migration background. In 2023, the number of gonorrhea diagnoses among women increased by 78% compared to 2022 (from 1,458 to 2,598) and among heterosexual men by 51% (from 666 to 1,007).
The gonorrhea detection rate (the number of diagnoses divided by the number of tests) increased from 2.3% to 4.1% in women. Among heterosexual men, the finding rate went from 2.4% to 3.5%.
Preventing the spread of gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is easy to prevent by using a condom during sex. A condom also protects against other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). The RIVM advises people with complaints to get tested. This also applies to people who have been at risk. For example, because they had sex without a condom with someone who had not been tested or who could have an STD. If the test shows that someone has gonorrhea, the infection can be treated quickly. Then it is also important to inform the sex partner(s) as soon as possible. This can be done anonymously after a positive test, for example, via the website partnerAlert.nl. The sex partners can then be tested and treated quickly.
Other STD figures
The sexual health thermometer shows that the number of STD consultations at CSGs in the Netherlands will increase by 5% in 2023. The number of chlamydia diagnoses decreased slightly since 2022, the number of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections remained stable and the number of syphilis diagnoses increased by 8% compared to 2022.
About the Sexual Health Thermometer
Every six months, the RIVM publishes the most important figures and trends for STDs and sexual health in the Netherlands in the Sexual Health Thermometer. These figures come from the Centers for Sexual Health (CSG).
Source: RIVM
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