, warns consultant gynaecologist Mr Dirk Brinkmann from Spire Hospital. He said: "If someone has oral herpes and uses lip balm soon after oral sex, the lip balm may carry the infection." The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently reported 392,453 STIs in England in 2022 - a 24 percent rise on the previous year. Patients with STIs are often treated with a course of antibiotics, but some symptoms can go undetected, which can lead to the development of more serious issues. Want to get the latest health news direct to your inbox? Sign up for the Mirror Health newsletter HERE Mr Dirk added: "If left untreated, an STI can increase your chances of catching another STI, including HIV. Untreated STIs can cause a range of complications and long-term health problems, including permanent infertility, as well as an increased risk of gynaecological cancer." Existing research has highlighted a link between oral sex and other forms of cancer, such as penis, anal, vagina, vulva, throat and head. This is because of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is spread through any form of skin-to-skin contact, including kissing and sex. More than 200 different strains of the disease have been recognised, and while a majority of them are considered low risk, HPV16 and HPV18 are responsible for most HPV-related cancers. While a growing number of Brits are catching STIs, Mr Dirk has highlighted the little-known warning signs that are usually overlooked, including heavy periods. "In women, more severe period symptoms are often dismissed but can be a sign of an STI, such as){kind=link}
Consultant gynaecologist Mr Dirk Brinkmann has warned that sharing these products can increase your risk of catching an STI – of which there were 392,453 reported in England in 2022
As temperatures continue to soar across the country, many Brits develop chapped and dry lips due to increased sun exposure.
But sharing lip products, such as chapsticks, could increase your risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI), warns consultant gynaecologist Mr Dirk Brinkmann from Spire Hospital.
He said: “If someone has oral herpes and uses lip balm soon after oral sex, the lip balm may carry the infection.” The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently reported 392,453 STIs in England in 2022 – a 24 percent rise on the previous year.
Patients with STIs are often treated with a course of antibiotics, but some symptoms can go undetected, which can lead to the development of more serious issues.