A Sex Drought Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Fewer STIs
Casual sex is much more difficult when most people are staying home. But so are other important STI mitigation strategies.
Staying six feet apart makes casual sex pretty difficult. Which might make you wonder: Should we expect the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to slow significantly during quarantine? As with so much surrounding the novel coronavirus, there are many unknowns at play, and it’s too early to predict with clear certainty. In fact, strategies for mitigating the spread of STIs have been disrupted by Covid-19 in contradictory ways, leading some experts to disagree on its potential overall effects.
Screening and treatment of STIs, meant to reduce the window of infectiousness and the number of partners who become exposed, has slowed as many clinics and physician offices have reduced or suspended services, according to a statement provided to Elemental by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also points out that because the remaining STI clinics may only be seeing symptomatic patients, pregnant women, and physician referrals, fewer asymptomatic cases are being identified and treated. “We may see a decrease in reported STDs in the short term, but an increase in the long-term once restrictions lift and more…
