Bring Back Happy Memories and a Tan from a Summer Holiday – Not an STI

Summer is in full swing, the kids are off school, and that happy, glorious mood is in the air. One that is simply lacking in the cold months of winter.

Summertime also usually means thousands of Brits will be flocking overseas to even hotter climates in order to soak up the sunshine and enjoy a party atmosphere, usually fuelled by booze. Sunshine and booze abroad sounds idyllic, however it can lead to some risky behaviour when it comes to sex.

Holidays can provide the chance to meet new people, or get much closer to somebody you already know, but remember that it is absolutely vital to still think about sexual health when on holiday. After all, unprotected sex on holiday can have the same catastrophic consequences that it can have at home, namely sexually transmitted infections (STI) and unwanted pregnancies.

Protecting one’s own sexual health, and that of any potential sexual partner whilst on holiday, is imperative. Don’t forget to pack condoms as STIs aren’t the only reason to use condoms. Sickness and diarrhoea, in addition to certain medicines like anti-malaria tablets, may make the contraceptive pill less effective.

It is understandable that a visit to the local pharmacy perhaps isn’t the first thing on people’s minds when arriving to a holiday destination. Moreover, depending on the destination in question, it could be next to impossible to even find a trustworthy supply of genuine condoms.

Therefore, prior to any holiday, have a think about what you realistically may or may not get up to as it would possibly be wise to stock up on good quality condoms and important essentials with regards to sex. Some destinations have much higher rates of sexual infections compared to others, meaning the use of contraception is an even bigger must.

In particularly, the rates of certain serious sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and syphilis are significantly higher in some countries around the world in comparison to the UK. In fact, the majority of new HIV cases diagnosed amongst heterosexuals were caught overseas.

Unfortunately, it’s not usually possible to know if somebody has an STI or HIV simply by looking at said person, so for this reason alone, always wear a condom!

Those who forget to pack condoms for their jollies, should only purchase condoms bearing the European CE mark as this is a sign of quality assurance. This means the condoms have been tested to the required safety standards.

Exposure to the sun can actually damage the condoms, so it is vital to keep them stored in a cool and dry place. Also, don’t leave them packed closely together with any sun cream, baby lotion, or other oily products that can cause damage. It is also essential to wash hands between rubbing on the sun lotion and handling a condom.

At Medical Specialists® Pharmacy we realise that maybe only a small percentage of holidaymakers will be sensible enough to always use condoms when engaging in sexual activities. Anyone that has been careless and engaged in unprotected sex will be putting themselves at risk of infection.

Most that do end up displaying STI symptoms will not experience them until about two weeks after returning from holiday. Worryingly, with one of the most prevalent STIs – chlamydia – most infected people will be oblivious to actually having it due to no obvious symptoms. Approximately 50% of men and 70 to 80% of women will not experience any symptoms at all with the infection.
Symptoms of STIs can include:

. A pain or burning feeling when urinating.
. For women, bleeding between periods and/or after sex.
. Itching, blisters, sores or lumps on or around the genitals.
. Pain when urinating.
. Unusual discharge from your penis, vagina or anus.

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy provide treatments for many of the more common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and genital herpes.

In addition, Medical Specialists® can provide almost 100% accurate pregnancy tests to be used in the privacy and comfort of a woman’s own home, a wide variety of condoms to suit different preferences, emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill), other contraceptive pills, and the previously mentioned chlamydia test to be taken at home and posted off for a quick analysis and result, avoiding the time and embarrassment of having to personally attend a clinic for a check-up.

To obtain any prescription or antibiotic or contraceptive treatment, all patients must first undergo an online consultation with one of the GMC-registered doctors at Medical Specialists®, or send in a private prescription by post, obtained from the patient’s own doctor.

Risky Holiday Sex Habits Uncovered by Medical Specialists® Pharmacy Survey

Despite the fact that British weather is generally OK around June to August, this is still the peek time for holidaymakers to venture abroad and bask in the glorious sunshine in popular destinations such as Ibiza, Majorca, Benidorm and many more.

Relaxing on the beach sipping sangria or beer and forgetting about worries at home can feel like heaven, but it can risk making people feel a little too relaxed. This carefree spirit that often goes hand-in-hand with holidays abroad can lead to a slightly reckless attitude in regards to safe sex and sexual health – especially when alcohol is involved.

Booze can lead to a complete loss of inhibitions and then engaging in risky sexual liaisons with strangers…something perhaps people might have thought twice about back at home. Getting too drunk and ‘caught up in the moment’ is a worrying trend and this poor attitude is being shown by thousands – especially those in their late teens and early 20s – and is something Medical Specialists® Pharmacy wanted to learn more about.

These attitudes were explored in the journal Tourism Management, and then discussed on 23rd July in the Daily Mail Online.

Therefore, Medical Specialists® thought this would be the perfect time to discuss more findings on the subject matter, coming from a survey carried out at the beginning of the month to mark the start of summer.

With an extensive sexual health product range like that spans from the Clamelle chlamydia testing kit, to antibiotics for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and female contraceptive pills, Medical Specialists® are strong advocates for the improving of sexual health and sexual health services…even giving away 1,000s of free condoms over the last few years during Sexual Health Week and for World AIDS Day.

Therefore, with summer beginning at the start of July, Medical Specialists® decided to quiz patients about their attitudes to sex – in particularly looking at behaviours when overseas during a summer holiday. In total, 2,235 single people aged between 18 and 30 decided to take part in the survey, which provided some interesting, and perhaps worrying findings.

Although more than 60% said they always carried condoms whilst on holiday, nearly 40% admitted to only occasionally packing condoms, or never bothering to at all. The survey found that 22% were too embarrassed to talk about contraception when having sex with a new partner.

A staggering 78% said they had previously had sex with a fellow holidaymaker, with 40% of the respondents claiming they had even slept with a local. At the extreme end of the scale, 4% of those surveyed said that had more than 10 sexual partners on their last holiday.

Shockingly, more than a third (34%) confessed they had cheated on a partner whilst on holiday, but just 5% of those had been found out by their partner.

Questions were also asked about any possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs) people may have brought back from holiday along with their luggage, tans and hangovers. A statistic that Medical Specialists® finds alarming, nearly half (47%) said they had never been tested for a sexually transmitted infection.

Moreover, 20% of those surveyed said they had been diagnosed with an STI after returning from a holiday overseas, with chlamydia (46%) being by far the most commonly diagnosed infection, followed by genital warts(22%) and genital herpes rounding off the top three at 19%.

It is vital to remember that within certain countries compared to the UK, STIs can be extremely common and obviously this places people at an even greater risk. In addition, with the most common STI (chlamydia), around seven in 10 women and half of men infected with chlamydia don’t show up with any signs or symptoms.

However, symptoms of STIs can include:

• Unusual discharge from your penis, vagina or anus.
• Itching, blisters, sores or lumps on or around the genitals.
• Pain or tenderness in the testicles.
• Pain or a burning feeling when passing urine.
• Darker urine.
• For women, bleeding between periods and/or after sex.

For those that have engaged in unprotected sex (and not just whilst on holiday) or believe they may have contracted an STI, it is vital to see a GP or visit a sexual health clinic to get tested as soon as possible. If the infection isn’t treated, this could lead to more serious health problems such as infertility.

Alternatively, Medically Specialists® Pharmacy offer the Clamelle chlamydia test kit for just £24.85 which can be used in the privacy and comfort of your own home to prevent an embarrassing visit to the GP or GUM clinic and there is no need to take any time off work

STIs increasing among gay men, according to PHE report

New statistics show that sexually transmitted infection rates amongst gay and bisexual men are spiralling across England.

A report published by Public Health England on 23 June gave a startling insight into the nation’s carefree/careless attitudes towards sex it seems, with to quote: “high levels of condomless sex” in general and “rapid” transmission of infections in HIV-positive men.

The report was compiled using the annual data for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and national chlamydia screening programme (NCSP), which has been released for 2014.

Although across all groups in England, the number of sexually transmitted infections actually fell by 0.3% from the previous year, to 439,243 new cases, public health officials are becoming deeply concerned about the rise in STI cases among men who have sex with other men.

“We are particularly concerned about the large rise in diagnoses among gay men. Health promotion and education to increase risk awareness and encourage safer sexual behaviour remain the cornerstones of STI prevention,” commented Dr. Gwenda Hughes of the PHE, in a statement.

“Ensuring easy access to sexual health services and STI screening is a vital component in the control of STIs,” Hughes added, stating that STI control and the reduction in the STI infection should be made the first public health priority in the UK.

The problem of STIs is unsurprisingly rife across young people aged 25 or under and gay men (gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men).

The Figures for last year depict a shocking 46% rise in syphilis infections, 32% increase for gonorrhoea and 26% in chlamydia.

Broken down into various STIs, the PHE report found:

• Syphilis infections increased from 2,375 to 3,477
• Gonorrhoea increased from 13,629 to 18,029
• Chlamydia diagnoses increased from 9,118 to 11,468
• Genital warts increased by 10% from 3,156 to 3,456

There remains a major worry regarding gonorrhoea due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection, making it tricky to treat.

Gay men are usually recommended to go for a HIV and STI test every year, or every three months if they are engaging in sex without a condom or with casual sexual partners.

Moreover, PHE advise that all sexually active under-25-year-olds should have a chlamydia test each year and also when they have a new sexual partner.

Dr Michael Brady, the medical director of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The continued rise in both syphilis and gonorrhoea is a worry and evidence that we still have much to do to address the nation’s poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.

“We should make better use of new technologies and approaches – local awareness raising through targeted social media based on the geographical breakdown of the data we are seeing today and an offer online testing – to reach those who are not accessing ‘traditional’ services.”

A quarter of university students get an STI in their first year

University life is not always a time for studying, as many former students will be aware of. However the phrase “work hard, play harder” may be taken to extreme lengths by many of today’s University students, to the extent that they are putting their health at risk.

Research suggests that almost of quarter of university students (23%) will contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) even before completing their first year, and over half (54%) are unable to remember who could have given them the infection, according to the survey conducted by shagatuni.com.

From the respondents, nearly a third (32%) were only made aware of their STI after a sexual partner who had been diagnosed had then contacted them. An additional 27% found out after using a testing kit, such as the popular Clamelle chlamydia test kit.

In fact, it is chlamydia which is the STI most likely to be contracted, with 59% of those who had caught an STI having chlamydia – curable through antibiotic chlamydia treatment. Interestingly, three quarters of all chlamydia diagnoses in the UK are people aged between 15 and 24. After chlamydia, herpes (18%) and genital warts (14%) were the next common STIs to have been caught.

Herpes treatment includes antiviral drugs and creams such as Valtrex and Zovirax, whilst genitals warts treatment options include Aldara cream. All can be obtained today from Medical Specialists Pharmacy.

The results from poll of 2,177 young graduates alarming reckless attitude and a huge lack of regard for the practice of safe sex; 89% confessing that had not bothered to use a condom for most of their sexual encounters whilst at university.

Only those who had stayed single throughout university were quizzed, with other findings showing that 73% were under the influence of alcohol for the majority of the times they had sex.

Perhaps the most worrying stat was that 67% of the graduates claimed they would rather risk contracting an STI than wear a condom. It is an absurd finding especially when you do not need to walk into a shop, chemist, etc. anymore to buy condoms and online pharmacies such as Medical Specialists offer 72 individually wrapped Durex Performa condoms for just £60.

The survey also showed which university courses have the most ‘sexually free’ students within them. Those studying drama and dance seem to be the most promiscuous, averaging a respective 28 and 25 partners each while at university. The full top ten was:

1. Drama/Theatre Studies – 28
2. Dance – 25
3. Media Studies/PR – 22
4. Biology students – 19
5. Philosophy and ethics – 17
6. English – 15
7. Sports science – 13
8. History of Art s – 13
9. Law – 11
10. Geography – 10

The creator of the website which conducted the poll, Tom Thurlow, said he didn’t want to put students off sex, but hopes that young people will take safe sex a lot more seriously and start to use condoms.

He said: “I decided to carry out this study as the site always notices a huge increase in new members to the website during fresher’s weeks, as this is obviously when many of the members will be meeting up with individuals they have met on the site for casual sex. I do not believe that being promiscuous and having casual sex are bad traits, however I am passionate about promoting safe sex, as well as the use of condoms amongst the student population of the UK.”

Pensioners given sexual health advice as STIs increase

The thought of anybody who happens to be over the age of about 50 having sex, may be unthinkable to some people, but shock horror, it does happen! In fact due to advancements in healthcare, increasing gym memberships and people starting to look after themselves better compared to recent years, there is a new age of fit, sexually-active over-60-year olds who are giving the younger generation a run for their money.

This shift towards a young mentality has prompted one council to launch their first ever sexual health strategy, kicking-off last week and which also happened to fall during Sexual Health Week, which we covered here.

It is Croydon Borough Council who is the concerned party, and has now created a ‘sex at 60’ leaflet, warning OAPs about the dangers of casual sex with multiple partners. Labour Councillor Maggie Mansell argued this action was necessary as pensioners are generally more ‘fitter’ and ‘active’ now than ever.

When speaking to a local Croydon newspaper, the Councillor said, “The over 60s are fitter and more active than previous generations. They started their sex lives after the pill and before Aids and did not get used to using condoms. The over-60s do not need contraception but they do need modern advice.”

She advised the council on the importance of the pamphlet, so that the over-60s are warned that regardless of age, the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are still very high if they engaged in unprotected, casual sex.

The need for action may stem from a particular 2010 report released from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which documented a gradual increase in the number of people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s having sex with new partners from the year 2000.

The same report also stated how all five major STIs had seen a rise within older people. In particularly those aged 45 to 64 years of age had seen the biggest increase in herpes, syphilis, chlamydia and genital warts between 2000 and 2009. This same age group had the second largest increase in gonorrhoea, bettered only by the over-65s, which alone proves that everybody can contract an STI; it is not just teens who are at risk like so many assume.

In what could empathise how the problem seems to be escalating, the HPA found that cases of syphilis in 45 to 64-year-olds spiralled ten-fold from a mere 52 in 2000, reaching 503 in 2009. In the over-65s, cases of the same STI more than quadrupled from just 7 in 2000 to 32 in 2009.

Now the borough’s new sexual health strategy will hopefully bring these figures down. Key figures in the schemes admit whilst the plans were mainly aimed at younger people in the community, provisions would be made to cover all ages. Some of the new plans include widening the provision of condoms through pharmacists for the under-25s and other ‘high-risk’ groups, delivering sexual health drop-in clinics at various colleges, increasing the number of pharmacies providing sexual health services and increasing the number of centres that offer chlamydia screening and free treatment.

Tory Councillor Margaret Mead, the cabinet member for adult services and health, commented on the plans for better sexual health, saying, “This strategy is about improving the health and well-being of communities and ensuring residents have the knowledge to make the right choices regarding their sexual health. We also aim to encourage people to change their behaviour for their own personal well-being and for the benefit of making the most effective use of healthcare budgets.”

Medical Specialists Pharmacy is not surprised by the actions of Croydon Council. Increasing rates of STIs in older people is a topic we have looked into several times in the past such as earlier this year and even back in 2011. The government needs to tackle this lax attitude as it seems to be that people over the age of 40 seem to think they are immune to picking up an STI. However, it is not just a young person’s game; anyone is at risk! The HPA stats are understandable and we personally have experienced a huge number of patients of a surprising varying age range requesting everything from Clamelle chlamydia test kits, to chlamydia medication Azithromycin, the herpes antiviral medication Valtrex and condoms!

Summer holidays lead to more unprotected sex and high STI risk

Additional information has been revealed that sheds more light on the growing number of young women who are adopting a thoughtless and irresponsible approach in respect to their sexual habits, which is unsurprisingly usually connected to a high alcohol intake.

Although you probably wouldn’t realise it from the rainy and gloomy weather we are currently experiencing, we are still officially within the summer season in the UK. Because of this typical miserable British weather, many young adults will be travelling abroad to warmer climates this month and to destinations where it does actually feel like ‘summer!’

With this in mind, the Dr Fox website decided to offer an online questionnaire to women, to understand more about their thinking when it came to holiday romances and ‘how far’ they are prepared to go with the opposite sex whilst on their jolly’s.

In total, there were around 2,000 women who decided to fill out the questionnaire on the website founded by Dr Tony Steele. The poll determined that approximately every one in five women who are going on holiday this summer will be willingly engaging in unprotected sex.

The statistic worried Dr Steele, who voiced his fears about the alarming results, saying, “It’s concerning that many women are not practising safe sex. What is more concerning is that people are actually planning on having sex without a condom whilst on holiday. People you meet on holiday are complete strangers so you know virtually nothing about them – having sex without contraception is a sure fire way of increasing your chances of contracting an STI. Whether on home soil or thousands of miles away women whether they are 18 or 55 need to be practicing safe sex and using condoms.”
However, there were plenty of other concerning results to come from the study, such as:

. 13% of women in their 30s plan to have sex without a condom on their holiday.
. 18% of single women said they are simply sometimes too drunk to use contraception.
. 8% just do not like using condoms.
. 10% of women over the age of 30 are embarrassed to raise the subject of contraception with a new partner.
. Interestingly, women aged between 30 to 40-years-old were more likely to be infected by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, and most likely to take the morning after pill.
. Women aged over 30 admit they get worse at using contraception, such as Dianette.
Overall, the majority of women surveyed (regardless of age), were in agreement that the responsibility of contraception is one that should be equally shared amongst both genders. Luckily, Medical Specialists Pharmacy caters for both males and females in regards to contraception and we can help you drastically reduce your chances of catching an STI, or an unwanted pregnancy.

For men we have a wide range of condoms such as the highly popular Durex Performax Intense. This particular condom benefits both partners. It contains a lubricant – benzocaine 5%, which will prolong his climax, whilst the outside of the condom is ribbed and dotted to heighten her orgasm. On top of this we have a huge range of different condoms in our expanding chemist shop such as Durex Play Vibrations, which can be used in conjunction with a condom to add to the pleasure!

For women, Medical Specialists offer the contraceptive pill Dianette, which works out costing just £9.99 per month. Dianette prevents unwanted pregnancy in three ways: by preventing an egg being released from your ovaries; by making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb; and by preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow in it. Not only is Dianette a contraceptive, it can also be taken by women for combating acne, hirsutism and for the treatment of female hair loss.

Health experts predict rise in stomach bugs and STIs during the Olympics

With the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games set to begin in just over three weeks, the capital is bracing itself for thousands of people descending into the city to catch a glimpse of the action. With this is mind, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have begun steps to ensure people stay safe from such conditions as sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and stomach problems. The HPA is an organisation set-up by the UK government back in 2003 and they aim to reduce the dangers to health from infections, chemicals and radiation hazards as set out in the HPA Act.

The HPA spoke on Tuesday and said they were ‘Games ready’ in their attempts to control any infections and limit their impact on the event itself. They are expecting a slight increased risk of stomach bugs and chest infections and some reports suggested that the capital could be ‘flooded with prostitutes’.

Justin McCracken, chief executive of the HPA, said in a statement, “We want everyone to enjoy the Games safely and by taking practical steps like ensuring good hand hygiene, being up-to-date with routine vaccinations and practising safe sex, it will help to ensure everyone stays healthy during this worldwide spectacle.”

The core of the HPA’s actions include three systems; rapid laboratory testing, enhanced syndromic surveillance and undiagnosed serious infections illness surveillance. They aim to diagnose infections such as Salmonella in just 24 hours whereas usually it would take 48. Symptom patterns will be analysed from anybody unwell who contacts the NHS direct, goes to an NHS walk-in centre, or simply visits their own GP. In addition, doctors have been informed they must make aware any emerging infections or symptoms of any exotic diseases.

Dr Brian McCloskey the HPA Olympics lead and director for London, explained how the organisation are prepared for the Games, “In preparation for London 2012 we have put in place world class systems to monitor and respond rapidly to any outbreaks of infectious diseases or environmental hazards. These new and enhanced systems will provide the first indication of emerging infections in the community and hospitals if they are to occur. Our experts will analyse surveillance data daily to identify issues of public health significance that could have implications for the Games.”

The HPA have stressed the importance of always carrying with you any medications for existing conditions (such as asthma) and having enough of the medication to span the duration of the Games.  If you do unfortunately suffer from any stomach or bowel problems now, during the Games, or anytime after – Medical Specialists Pharmacy can help you. Visit our brand new ‘stomach and bowel’ section of the website to browse through the huge range of products we have recently added. These include Mebeverine, Buscopan IBS relief, Doxycyline and many more!

We also note that the HPA advise to practice safe sex during the games? We argue you should be doing this all the time anyway! Sexually transmitted infections have shown to be on the increase due to alarming careless behaviour in both teens and even the ‘baby boomers’.

Men should ideally always wear a condom when engaging in sexual intercourse. If you do suspect you may have chlamydia, we now offer the Clamelle chlamydia test kit from just £24.85, which can be used in the privacy of your own home to avoid an embarrassing visit to your doctor. Or, if you have been confirmed as having this or gonorrhoea, the antibiotic Azithromycin can prevent the spread of the bacteria so that your body’s natural defences can fight back and remove the infection from your system. We also have Valtrex which helps to slow the spread of the herpes virus, and many more medications such as asthma inhalers cheaper than the NHS.

Relationship cheats and teens living in poor regions are more likely to get an STI

Figures have been released in the last week that illustrates the severity of sexually transmitted infections and how more work needs to be done to rectify the issue. A study has been published by The University of Michigan that indicates that serial cheats are more likely to contract a STI in comparison to those who are involved in an open relationship.  Some of the reasons suggested for this include those who cheat on their partner are probably likely to be drunk when doing so and not likely to bother with contraception. In addition, people in open relationships are probably sober when sleeping with somebody else and more aware of what they are doing.

The researchers in the study created an online questionnaire to quiz people about monogamy and if anybody involved in an open relationship actually practiced safe sex. They received over 1,500 replies and 801 people said they have had sex with somebody besides their partner. Of the 801 people, 493 said that this was because of an agreed open relationship. Interestingly, cheats were shown to have used condoms for vaginal and anal sex roughly 27% and 35% less respectively than those in open relationships. Alcohol and drug usage was shown at 64% more in the former group too, which may play some part in their deceptive actions.

Dr Terri Conley is a researcher who was involved in the study, and commented on its findings, “Our research suggests that people who are unfaithful to their monogamous romantic partners pose a greater risk for STIs than those who actively negotiate non-monogamy in their relationship. Monogamy can be an effective method for preventing the spread of STIs, but only if couples test negative for STIs at the start of the relationship and remain faithful while they are together. If people do not find monogamy appealing or feasible, they clearly need to think about the risk this poses to their partner and consider whether an open relationship would suit their needs better, and better protect their relationship partners.’

Of course this study was purely targeted at adults, and Medical Specialists Pharmacy have reported previously how many adults are now careless in regards to their sexual health. However, it now seems the younger generation are falling victim to STIs too, especially those in the poorest areas in England. Figures have been released following an NHS survey last year discovered that 27% of girls were having sex before legally old enough to do so. Latest statistics show over 30,000 teens aged between 13 to 17, were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in 2011. These included things such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital warts. Of this total, 5,973 live in poor areas and 2,116 were from wealthier places of the country. It was found that 78% of the 30,000 were girls.

This trend of more STIs prevalent in deprived areas appears to have been developing since 2009. Over the last three years, the number of cases per 100,000 teens aged 13 to 17 has jumped up from 881 to 903, and the figures in comparison for teenagers in wealthier areas has merely increased from 310 to 312 in the same time period.

Overall it seems that people of all ages are not taking enough steps to protect their health, and are displaying a truly alarming approach to sex and their risk of catching an infection. At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we cannot stress enough the massive importance of looking after yourself in this aspect and you should act now to prevent yourself catching an STI, or if you have diagnosed with something, receive the treatment you need to manage your symptoms. If you want to make sure you are OK, there are numerous sexual health clinics you can go to and they can usually provide you with results within one week. We have recently added many more products to our website and now offer a chlamydia Clamelle test kit, which you take in the privacy of your own home and post directly to the laboratory for analysis. You can get your result sent to you in the post and this service is a confidential and convenient way to test and treat for chlamydia.

The most common occurrence of catching an infection stems from the male not wearing a condom, which in the 21^st century is careless as we and many other organisations constantly report on the dangers of this. Genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are just some of the many diseases that you are at risk of catching. Some can pose serious health problems if left untreated and can even leave you infertile. We offer a massive range of treatments for various sexually transmitted infections so do not delay in seeking help from us.

High numbers of over 40s are being diagnosed with STIs

An increasingly worrying lax attitude in the over 40s to 60s and even beyond, has been blamed for the rising number of STIs in this age group. Although the rates of infection are still highest in adults aged between 18 to 30, STI cases are becoming a lot more prevalent within older people. Now, as we enter the summer months, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust are trying to urge those who are travelling abroad for their holidays, to show some degree of caution and look after themselves. Jim McVicker, Clinical Director for Liverpool Community Health Sexual Health Services, spoke out on the issue, “At the end of each summer, we see a significant increase in the number of people attending our sexual health clinics with concerns about STIs following a holiday abroad – so we want to encourage everyone to relax and enjoy themselves on holiday, but also to be sensible and stay safe.”

There are a number of factors being blamed for the surprising surge in STIs in the over 40s. For example, many people in this age group will probably have been in long term relationships for a number of years, where issues such as contraception and going for regular sexual health checks, will not have been a major worry. Also as more and more people are finding themselves divorced and single, they may suddenly start to enjoy their new single status and may have multiple sexual partners. McKiver further commented, “Being the wrong side of 40 myself, I can identify with the problems that the older generation may have.” Effective erectile dysfunction treatment such as Viagra, was the focus of a study regarding STIs in the older generation in a story that Medical Specialists Pharmacy first reported about almost two years ago, however this medication is purely to help men suffering with impotence to achieve an erection, and cannot be blamed for the STI rise.

Only two weeks ago we further analysed the attitudes of sexually active adults, and there were some shocking results. In this particular online study, one third of the women questioned stated that they get ‘swept away in the moment’ and forget about using condoms, 18% of single women said they are often too drunk to use contraception and 8% said they ‘just don’t like using condoms’. Some of the familiar STI symptoms to be aware of include abnormal discharge, bleeding after sex or between periods and pain or discomfort when urinating. Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, with 186,753 people in England testing positive for this during 2010. Up to 70 per cent of people do not experience any symptoms of infection and it can cause infertility in both men and women. The only way of checking if you have a chlamydia infection is to take a chlamydia test such as the Clamelle test kit, available from just £24.85 at Medical Specialists Pharmacy.

Genital herpes is another common STI, especially seen in people aged between 20 to 24 years. In 2008, it was reported that roughly 29,000 people attended a sexual health clinic in the UK with a first clinical attack of genital herpes. An effective medication for this is Valtrex, which is an antiviral drug that contains valaciclovir. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. It is a prescription medication licensed to treat several conditions related to infections with the herpes virus. We have recently lowered the price of Valtrex, and you can now obtain this medication from as little as £3.50 per tablet. The consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Popular condoms include the Durex and Skins brand of condoms, which are both available at the Medical Specialists Pharmacy Chemist Shop.

Careless behaviour leads to rise in STIs

Fears are growing regarding the increasing number of adults engaging in unprotected sex and contracting a sexually transmitted disease. The concerns come after the ‘DrFox’ website conducted a survey involving roughly 2,000 women between the ages of 18 to 40. The survey asked them detailed questions regarding their sex lives and their attitudes to sex. The results were alarming to say the least. Seven out of ten single women claimed that they regularly engaged in unsafe sex, with one third admitting that they simple ‘get swept away in the moment’ and forget to use a condom.

In addition, 18% of single women said they are sometimes too drunk to use contraception and 8% simply said they do not like using them. One in five said that they had trust in their partner not to give them an STI. Dr Tony Steele is co-founder of the website that carried out the poll and commented on the findings, “Unsafe sex on holiday is a major concern, particularly where women plan ahead to have sex with new partners without using condoms. Women meet men on holiday who are complete strangers. They may know almost nothing about the men they meet, and having sex without contraception is a sure-fire way to increase the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.”

Even in the slightly older age group, women over 30 said they were still embarrassed to discuss the topic of contraception with prospective new sexual partners. Interestingly, the women aged between 30 to 40 were found to be the age group most likely to have contracted an STI. In the same age group, one in five said they had unprotected sex in the previous three months and they were more likely to have had the morning-after pill.

This study comes at the same time that new statistics have been published, showing the high numbers of STIs in males under 25 years of age, due to unsafe sex amongst both heterosexual and gay men. The Health Protection Agency said there has been a significant rise in the number of infections, with genital herpes rising to 31,154 cases compared to 29,794 last year. Moreover, syphilis now stands at 2,915 cases in comparison to 2,650 last year and gonorrhoea saw the largest increase in new cases, with the figure rising from 16,835 to a staggering 20,965. Although chlamydia cases appeared to decrease by 4%, this was attributed to fewer young adults actually being screened for it. The HPA have also stressed just how important it is that men always use a condom, either with casual or new sexual partners.

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we offer a wide range of condoms such as the highly popular Durex Performax Intense. This particular condom benefits both partners. It contains a lubricant – benzocaine 5%, which will prolong his climax, whilst the outside of the condom is ribbed and dotted to heighten her orgasm. On top of this we have a huge range of different condoms in our ever-growing chemist shop such as Durex Play Vibrations, Skins Ultra-Thin and many more, all at fantastic prices. For women, we offer the contraceptive pill Dianette from as little as £9.99 per month, which is capable of preventing you from falling pregnant by working in three ways: by preventing an egg being released from your ovaries; by making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb; and by preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow in it. Not only is Dianette a contraceptive, it can also be taken by women for combating acne, hirsutism and for the treatment of female hair loss.

Man jailed for 14 months for giving girlfriend genital herpes

David Gold 29 who works for the Highways Agency has admitted causing grievous bodily harm by giving the sexually transmitted infection (STI) to his then partner, Cara Lee, 23.

But sexual health experts and charities have called the decision to imprison him ‘outrageous’. It is the first time anyone has been convicted for passing on a STI.

Mr Golding had kept his infection a secret from Ms Lee when the couple were together in 2009, and later denied it when confronted by his partner, Northampton crown court heard. After finding out she had been infected with Herpes, Ms Lee moved out and reported him to police in March 2010.

Judge Michael Fowler told Golding, from Daventry: ‘Because it was in a relationship, it was particularly mean and one which amounted to a betrayal – a betrayal in a relationship in which you professed love.

‘The injury you caused by this infection is at least or more serious than an injury leaving a scar because it carries continued recurrence, extreme discomfort and consequences for relationships she will have in the future.’

David Everett, defending, said his client was ‘extremely stupid but he did not do this in a premeditated way.’
Sexual health experts said herpes was not serious enough to amount to grievous bodily harm under the Offences Against the Person Act.

‘Being sent to prison for 14 months for passing on herpes simplex is like being sent down for ten years for a parking offence,’ said Dr Colm O’Mahoney, sexual health consultant at the Countess of Chester Hospital. 
‘This is outrageous. Will children now be prosecuted for “giving” their friends chickenpox? ‘Most people who have genital herpes don’t know it because, even if they do get recurrences, it is such a trivial genital infection that they don’t notice it.’

He said genital herpes has the same implications as a facial cold sore. In Britain, about 6million people have genital herpes and up to 40million may have picked up herpes simplex (a cold sore) on the face.

However if Mr Golding had acted earlier admitted the problem and sought out treatment for his genital herpes such as Valtrex, his jail sentence could have been avoided.

New figures show rise in STIs in the over 50s

Dr Sean Cummings a Harley Street clinic that specialises in Sexual Health, has claimed that sexually transmitted infections in the over 50 year olds are now more common than first realised.

He has described the story of a mother of three in her late 50s who visited his clinic after having been a divorcee of 5 years, had been active on the dating scene. She had been involved with a “friend of a friend” and also a gentleman she had met through a dating website. Both relationships were sexually active. Dr Cummings explains more about the situation “She had started experiencing discomfort – discharge, and pain on urinating, which is why she had come to see me. They had never used condoms as, she explained “I never did with my husband. I was on the pill then, and I went through the menopause years ago – I thought there was no reason to”.”

Dr Cummings then ran some tests and had to deliver the unfortunate news to her that she was actually suffering from gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). “She was upset, embarrassed, but also shocked. At her age she didn’t really think she had anything to worry about”. Many of Dr Cummings patients are respectable men and women in their 50s and 60s, recently single for the first time in potentially several years. He also notes that a typical patient is a newly sixty something woman who has returned from holiday where she has had an affair and contracted an STI, or middle aged men who have picked up an infection from an extramarital affair.

In addition, the Health Protection Agency has been warning about the rapidly increase in STIs among the slightly older generation. Latest figures published show that gonorrhoea is up 8% in a single year and 14% since 2001, and genital herpes has risen by 15% in the last year and an incredible 142% in ten years. Chlamydia infections have also increased by 9% in the past year, and by 138% in the past ten years.

If you are suffering from the common STI, herpes, Medical Specialists can help you.  We now offer the antiviral medication “Valtrex”, which can help in reducing the risk of spreading genital herpes. However, you must also use safe sex practices. This includes always wearing a condom made of latex and avoiding sexual contact when you have an outbreak or think you are about to get an outbreak.  Valtrex will not cure herpes, but will lessen the symptoms. It helps to slow the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection.

Islington has highest rate of herpes in the UK

A report on herpes in the UK has shown that those who had diagnosed 178 cases of shingles per 100,000 in 2010 to 13% more than in the area of ​​the second worst and meaning 356 in total.

Only cases diagnosed at sexual health clinics could be recorded in the studio, so the actual infection rate was much more likely to be higher.  Dr Eva Jungmann, senior consultant at the Center of Arc, a sexual health clinic in Holloway Road, Archway, said: “Some people with herpes is very hard to bear, and get frequent recurrences. There is a great health risk but poorly can affect people psychologically and socially. “A cause of ulcers, also increases the likelihood of transmitting or acquiring HIV.”

Islington also has the third highest rate of gonorrhea in the UK – which has seen a 26% increase since 2009 – and was in the first seven areas of syphilis and genital warts, according to figures released by the Agency for Health Protection. Chlamydia is most common, with 584 diagnosed cases per 100,000 people.

Dr. Jungmann said Islington is likely to be greatly affected by sexually transmitted diseases are more common in less affluent areas.  He added: “health education activities for youth and outreach projects have been reduced – so I would not be surprised to see further increases.”

STI rates in London as a whole are 50 percent higher than the rest of the country, but recurrent outbreaks of the virus that can be treated with medications such as Valtrex. For more information on where to buy Valtrex online, please click on the highlighted link.