Rise in straight women being diagnosed with Victorian STI with warning issued
The UK Health Security Agency has released fresh data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England, revealing that overall diagnoses are down by 8.3%.
However, the report also highlights that while syphilis diagnoses in gay and bisexual men have fallen to their lowest level since 2016, the number of heterosexual women contracting the STI has increased by 4.8%, from 838 cases in 2024 to 878 in 2025.
The NHS warns that while it is preventable and, if caught early, is straightforward to cure, if left untreated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems such as damage to the heart, brain, or other organs.
It’s caused by bacteria and starts with a sore that’s often painless, while it spreads through sexual contact.
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Due to its prevalence in the Victorian era, many people consider it to be something of the past, but the data shows that this is not the case.
As mentioned, while cases are rising among heterosexual women, in gay and bisexual men, they’ve decreased by 18.7% from 6,349 in 2024 to 5,164 in 2025.
Overall, the new data also shows that there has been a 13.5% decrease in infectious syphilis diagnoses in all groups, from 9,553 in 2024 to 8,262 in 2025.
Other encouraging findings include that there has also been a 10.9% decrease in gonorrhoea cases in all groups and a 7.3% decrease in first episode genital warts in all groups.
However, UKHA still outlines that while the numbers are mostly taking a positive turn, STI cases remain high, and these infections continue to particularly affect young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay and bisexual men, and people living in deprived areas.
Notably, among young women aged 15 to 24, who are recommended to be screened through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, there was a 9.4% decrease in the number of chlamydia tests carried out, dropping from 604,143 in 2024 to 547,308 in 2025.
Dr Hamish Mohammed, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “It is really encouraging to see STI diagnoses falling, and the drop in syphilis among gay and bisexual men to the lowest level since 2016 is a positive development that reflects the hard work of sexual health services and community-based organisations.”
He warned: “But cases of STIs remain high, especially in young people and gay and bisexual men. We all need to work together to further reduce these infections because they can cause serious harm.
"If you have not used condoms with new or casual partners, please get tested for STIs and HIV - even if you have no symptoms. Testing protects both you and your partners.
"The decline in chlamydia screening is a concern. Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if left untreated, so sexually active young women are encouraged to test for chlamydia after sex with a new partner or annually.”
Symptoms of syphilis
As per the NHS, symptoms of syphilis you may notice at first include:
- Small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless, and you may only have one of them
- Sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
You may not notice these sores if they’re inside your bottom or vagina and are not painful.
Later symptoms of syphilis may include:
- White or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
- A rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
- White patches in your mouth
- Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
- Swollen glands
- Patchy hair loss on the head, beard, and eyebrows
Topics: NHS, Health, Sex and Relationships, Women's Health, UK News
Madison Burgess