Warning to young women as toll soars of sexually transmitted infections

Some 482,696 cases were reported in sexual health clinics in 2009, up almost 12,000 on the previous year.

Young women are “particularly vulnerable” and often “lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex”, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which collected the figures.

Two-thirds of new STI cases in women were among under-25s, including 73 per cent of new cases of gonorrhoea in women and 66 per cent of new cases of genital warts.

Some 88 per cent of new cases of chlamydia – the most common STI in the UK – in women were found in the same age group.

Chlamydia cases among both sexes increased by seven per cent across all age groups between 2008 and 2009, while cases of gonorrhoea rose six per cent.

Genital herpes cases were up by five per cent while genital warts cases stabilised with a 0.3 per cent drop. Syphilis cases fell by one per cent.

While more chlamydia testing in the community – and more sensitive tests for other STIs – accounted for much of the rise, the HPA said it was clear many people were still having unsafe sex.

Young adults and gay men are the groups most worrying the HPA.

Re-infection is also an issue, with at least 11 per cent of woman aged 16 to 19 women in England becoming re-infected with an STI within one year of being treated for a previous one.

The same is true for young men, 12 per cent of 16 to 19-year-olds becoming re-infected within one year.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the agency’s STI section, said: “These latest figures show that poor sexual health is a serious problem among the UK’s young adults and men who have sex with men.

“These figures also highlight the vulnerability of young women. Many studies have shown that young adults are more likely to have unsafe sex and often they lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex.

“Re-infection is also a worrying issue.”