Just one in two 'disclose they have a STI before sex with a new partner'
You might think disclosing your STI status to a new partner would go without saying in 2024, but turns out people aren't as comfortable opening up as you might think.
While it pays to be honest about having an STI with someone you’re going to have sex with, for many, it is a conversation still proving too difficult.
In fact, new research has revealed that only one in two people disclose they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) before sleeping with a new partner.
On the other end of the moral spectrum, a similar number believed they should have to disclose having a STI before getting intimate, with around half or fewer people feeling able to open up about their diagnosis to a partner pre-sex.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee say their review of the findings of several previous studies showed the "complex" nature of revealing an STI diagnosis to a partner before engaging in sexual activity.
In order to try to stem the STI spread, the team say the results, published in The Journal of Sex Research, call for "comprehensive" sex education to be provided throughout life: from youth into late adulthood.
Latest figures published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there were 401,800 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in England in 2023 – a 5% rise on the previous year.
The number of gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses continue to be at record-breaking highs, with an 8% increase in gonorrhoea and 9% increase in syphilis since 2022.
If tests show you have an STI, the NHS recommends telling your current sexual partner, or partners, and any ex-partners so they can get tested and treated as well.
But the new review, which looked at 32 papers, shows fear can prevent many people revealing their diagnosis.
Other reasons included people believing that condom-use is protection enough; a lack of obligation such as a one-night-stand situation; and fear of being dumped.
People who disclosed their diagnosis to their partner did so out of love, feelings of moral obligation, or relationship-related reasons, such as greater levels of commitment, relationship quality, length of time together, and feelings of closeness.
Those who did choose to disclose used a variety of ways to tell people their STI status, while non-disclosers used strategies to pass as uninfected, withdrew from relationships, and used STI outbreaks to time sexual activity.
In the review, herpes and HPV were featured the most, while chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis were also common. The review did not include HIV.
The results also revealed that the experiences of people on the receiving end of STI disclosures are not well-represented in such studies.
Commenting on the findings study co-author Professor Spencer Olmstead says: “One of the key factors that determines whether an individual will disclose is the intended receiver.
"How the receiver will react and respond and the relationship with the receiver can be critical influences on the discloser.
“As such, it is imperative that we investigate the experiences of receivers to understand the process of STI disclosure more comprehensively.
"This is so that we may continue to improve sexual health education and care for all.”
Overall, the team say their findings “highlight the need for continuous comprehensive sexual health education throughout the life course."
Study co-author Dr Kayley McMahan says: “Many individuals lack sufficient comprehensive sex education.
“Rather than being taught how to correctly use prophylaxis (treatment given or action taken to prevent disease), identify its limitations, and understand the scope and transmissibility of STIs, youth are only encouraged to be abstinent.
“Individuals diagnosed with STIs may be in vulnerable positions and may face difficult decisions, the outcomes of which can be harmful to their identity and relationships.
“The process of disclosure is complex. Certain contexts, particularly committed relationships, elicit disclosure, whereas others inhibit disclosure.
"Disclosure is an interpersonal process that involves not just the individual faced with the decision to disclose, but the intended receiver.”
The researchers say that future research should take care to adopt a destigmatising approach.
“Initiating sexual health conversations is everyone's responsibility," Dr McMahan adds.
Additional reporting SWNS.
Read more about STIs
Six STIs that could impact fertility (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Scientists warn STIs could be deadly by 2040: What is AMR and how does it threaten our health? (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
Non-genital STIs: All the areas of your body they can affect and how to prevent them (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
