Welcome to Ask a Cleveland Sex Therapist. Want to ask Matt a question that could be tackled in a future column? Click here. Now, onto this week’s topic.
I recently read a BBC article titled Gonorrhea and Syphilis Hit Record Levels in Europe, and, as an AASECT certified sex therapist, it pissed me off. Most of these articles piss me off because they are basically clickbait and want to scare the crap out of all of us. These are exactly the kind of headlines that people with sex-negative agendas love to point to as proof that sex itself is the problem. So, let me see if I can do my best to share with you what these stories actually are saying so that you don’t have to freak up and lock your genitals away forever. This isn’t just a Europe problem. Similar trends have been occurring in the United States for years. So yes, while the article is about Europe, the conversation is happening in your own backyard. Literally. For all you know, people may be banging in your backyard. Hopefully not, but you never know.
Here is what the article states: According to new data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, gonorrhea and syphilis reached their highest recorded levels in more than a decade during 2024. Gonorrhea cases have increased by more than 300 percent since 2015, while syphilis cases have more than doubled during that same period. Chlamydia remains the most commonly reported bacterial STI, although diagnoses have actually decreased slightly. The agency attributes much of this increase to gaps in testing, prevention efforts, and access to sexual health services. This is where I want to pause because this is the point where many people reach the wrong conclusion. They see a headline about rising STI rates and immediately think, “Well, people need to stop having so much sex.” Period. End of story. Burn the sluts! Except, that isn’t what the data are actually telling us.
One of the biggest reasons STI rates are increasing isn’t because people suddenly became more interested in sex. Research actually points to younger generations having less sex than previous ones. Human beings have always been interested in sex. The difference is that we have slowly chipped away at the public health systems designed to help people stay healthy. When testing becomes harder to access, people go longer without realizing they have an infection. When treatment is delayed or unavailable, infections spread further. When comprehensive sex education disappears, people are left learning from pornography, TikTok, or friends who are just as confused as they are. Blind leading the blind, anyone? When prevention programs lose funding, fewer people receive condoms, education, reminders to get tested, and referrals for care. None of this should be surprising. Infectious diseases spread more easily when public health systems become weaker.
The research reinforces something we have known for decades: people do not stop having sex because we tell them to. Abstinence-only messaging has repeatedly failed to reduce sexual activity, and shame has never been an effective public health strategy. What shame does accomplish is making people less likely to ask questions, disclose symptoms, buy condoms, schedule STI screenings, or tell a partner they may have been exposed. Shame doesn’t stop sex. It stops healthcare. This is the problem I have spent a career trying to solve.
If we actually want STI rates to decline, the solution isn’t policing people’s sex lives or trying to scare them with alarming headlines. The solution is making sexual healthcare easier to access. It is normalizing routine STI testing in the same way we normalize annual physicals. It is making condoms affordable and readily available. It is investing in comprehensive, evidence-based sex education that teaches people how to reduce risk instead of pretending risk doesn’t exist. It is creating healthcare environments where someone can comfortably say, “I think I should get tested,” without worrying they will be judged. We want to create an environment where we celebrate testing instead of judging it.
Personally, I think it’s important to remember that getting an STI is not a moral failure. It is a health issue. People catch viruses. People develop bacterial infections. People receive treatment. That is what healthcare is for. The goal isn’t to shame people into perfection. The goal is to help people recognize symptoms, get tested routinely based on their level of risk, communicate honestly with partners, and receive treatment quickly when needed. Healthy societies don’t reduce STI rates by pretending sex isn’t happening. They reduce STI rates by acknowledging that sex is a normal part of being human and giving people the education, resources, and healthcare they need to engage in it as safely as possible. Ugh, and don’t even get me started on the stupid Super Gonorrhea thing. That is another scare tactic.
Some final words of wisdom would be this: The next time you see a headline screaming that STIs are “exploding” or warning about some terrifying “super STI,” don’t let the clickbait do your thinking for you. Take a breath, read beyond the headline, and ask what public health experts are actually saying instead of what the headline wants you to believe. Then do three simple things: have sex if you want to have sex, get tested based on your level of risk, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. That, my friends, is what sexual health actually looks like. Oh, and you can always write in to Ask a Cleveland Sex Therapist if you need some help.
Matt Lachman is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and owner of Cleveland Sex Therapy, located in the heart of Gordon Square. Since opening Cleveland Sex Therapy in 2019, Matt has been dedicated to promoting sex positivity and inclusivity in his work with individuals, couples, and polyamorous relationships. When he’s not helping clients navigate their sexual and relational journeys, you can find him enjoying a cold brew at Gypsy Beans, sipping a cocktail at Luxe, or relaxing on his couch watching reruns of Happy Endings. Ask a question of your own here.
Disclaimer: The advice provided in this column is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional therapy or mental health treatment. Each individual’s situation is unique, and the insights offered here may not address the complexities of your specific circumstances. If you’re experiencing challenges related to your mental health, relationships, or sexuality, I strongly encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist or mental health professional for personalized support. You’re not alone—help is available.
Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed