Sexually transmitted diseases increased across Europe in 2022 with the records cases of gonorrhea to have almost double, reports the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, publishing its latest data today.

Syphilis cases increased by 34% compared to the previous year, exceeding 35,000, while chlamydia increased by 16%, exceeding 216,000.

Her cases of gonorrhea increased by 48% to over 70,000.

“The numbers paint a stark picture that demands our immediate attention and action,” Andrea Amon, director of the Center, told a press conference.

Left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can lead to a range of health problems, including chronic pain, infertility and – in the case of syphilis – neurological and cardiovascular complications.

Cases of lymphogranuloma and congenital syphilis — when the infection is passed from mother to fetus — are also rising rapidly, according to the Center, but remain at lower levels.

Rates of sexually transmitted diseases have been increasing for years in many countries, including European ones, although this trend was halted by the pandemic of COVID-19 as most governments imposed social distancing measures, citizens remained at home and reporting rates declined.

A number of reasons are responsible for the systematic increase, the Center says, including better monitoring, but also an increase in home testing as well as an increase in riskier sexual behavior.

In the latest data, the increase in infections among young heterosexual people — and especially young women — may be due to a change in sexual behavior in the post-pandemic era, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control estimates.

According to the same source, there is no indication that the increase in gonorrhea cases is due to antimicrobial resistance. However, the Center notes that it will continue to monitor this trend.

As Amon characteristically said, these numbers are probably “the tip of the iceberg” as many cases go unreported.

European countries should focus on screening, treatment and prevention efforts, she said, and citizens should take protective measures, such as using condoms.