You’re Not 22…But STIs Aren't Over

Can an infection from the 1800s really be trebling in Australia right now? Is there actually a cell in the human body large enough to see without a microscope? And how do you protect your gut microbiome? In this episode, Dr Mariam and Claire speak to Dr Melanie Besser, a Sexual Health Physician, to unpack why 'old-school' infections like syphilis and gonorrhoea are surging across the country. They discuss the rise of antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs', the "Great Mimic" rash you shouldn't ignore, and why the 1980s Grim Reaper campaign might have left us more traumatised than protected. We also talk about why Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is now being viewed through a lens of sexual transmission and how treating a male partner might be the key to stopping the cycle of recurrence. Plus, we look at the new "foxy" pathogens like Mycoplasma genitalium that are being talked about on TikTok and why they're often mistaken for a standard UTI. In Med School, we discover the powerhouse of the human body: the egg. And, in the Quick Consult, we explain how microbiome shifts after major surgery. GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Dr Melanie Besser Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Executive Producer: Grace Rouvray Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.