Gonorrhea and Syphilis Hit Record Levels in Europe. Here's Why!

Gonorrhea and Syphilis Hit Record Levels in Europe. Here's Why! The headlines make it sound like people are having too much sex. The research tells a very different story. In this episode of Sex, Here & Now, Matt Lachman, licensed clinical therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, breaks down the recent BBC article on record-high rates of gonorrhea and syphilis across Europe and explains why these rising numbers have far more to do with public health than they do with morality. Matt explores how reduced access to STI testing, treatment, comprehensive sex education, and sexual health services contributes to higher infection rates, and why decades of research continue to show that shame and abstinence-only messaging don't stop people from having sex. They simply make people less likely to seek healthcare. This episode is a reminder that healthy societies don't reduce STI rates by making people afraid of sex. They reduce them by making healthcare accessible, normalizing routine testing, and giving people the tools they need to make informed decisions. If you've ever seen a scary STI headline and wondered what it actually means, this episode is for you. Resources If you’re looking for a high-quality lubricant that actually enhances the experience instead of distracting from it, I’ve got you covered. 👉 Click here to try Überlube When you use that link, you’ll receive a Free Überlube Sachet added to your order (U.S. only). Using the link also helps support the podcast, so it’s a win-win. Are you a healthcare professional or mental health therapist and looking for sex therapy continuing education? Get 10% of your first course here by using code podcast10 A list of sex education, sex therapy, and relationship resources here Sign up for my online class here You can now watch the full video podcast on YouTube! Let's get social: Website / Instagram / YouTube Please make sure to subscribe and rate my podcast!