STD testing patient survey

Why growing rates of STDs means you need more frequent STD Testing

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As we’ve explained in a few of our last posts, proactive management of a possible sexually transmitted disease (STD) and STD testing are beneficial for many reasons:

  • STDs impact the health different groups of people and genders disproportionately
  • Early STD testing can help catch a disease in its early stages and make treatment more effective
  • Proactively managing STDs can give you peace of mind and also control of your reproductive health

What you may not fully understand is that the number of patients with the most common STDs are growing at a more rapid pace each year. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly 2.7 million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis occurred in 2016.

Public health experts frequently warn individuals about the higher frequency of STDs in recent years. This higher frequency in common STDs means that adults should try and schedule out a greater number of tests.

Here are some recent statistics on common STDs that may encourage you to get more frequent STD testing if you are a sexually active person:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States as more than an average 1.7 million adults each year. Since the year 2000, chlamydia cases have skyrocketed as transmission is highly susceptible between both men and women:

  • Between 2000 and 2011, the rate of reported chlamydial infections grew from 251.4 to 453.4 cases per 100,000 U.S adults
  • From 2016 to 2017, rates of chlamydia across the U.S continued to grow by 6.9 percent
  • In 19 states, the rate of chlamydia eclipsed national averages

Additionally, chlamydia affected women at a greater rate than men. In 2017, 97.4 percent of all chlamydia cases were reported by women between 15-44 years old.  

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is the second most reported STD in the United States with over 555,608 reported cases in recent years. While gonorrhea reached an all-time low in 2009, cases of the disease have grown dramatically:

  • Between 2016 and 2017, gonorrhea cases have grown by 18.6 percent
  • Since 2009, gonorrhea cases increased by 75 percent
  • From 2016 to 2017, gonorrhea cases have grown in 47 states and decreased in only 3 states

The disease continues to affect local communities on a widespread with little signs of slowing down.

Syphilis

Syphilis is one of the more unique STDs in that national rates are quite low. However, the disease has made a comeback in the last couple of years and is still fatal for individuals that fail to get appropriate treatment. Thankfully, syphilis is highly treatable when detected early.

  • Syphilis rates have grown to a national total of over 30,000 reported cases annually, which is a 10 percent increase from previous years
  • Syphilis rates increased in 36 six out of the 50 states and remained stable or decreased in 14 states
  • Syphilis rates in men were nearly eight times higher than in women, 16.9 cases per 100,000 men vs. just 2.3 cases per 100,000 women

STDs are still very common in the US, so make sure you respond with frequent STD testing appointment!