Shame, stigma, and outdated sentiments surrounding women’s sexual wellness are contributing to a growing crisis in Australia, marked by increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a decline in testing. Over the past decade, STI rates have surged by 46 percent across the nation, with untreated cases of common infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea leading to serious health consequences.
In 2023 alone, there were nearly 110,000 confirmed cases of chlamydia, with women accounting for almost 70 percent of notifications. Gonorrhoea followed as the second most common STI, with over 40,000 cases, half of which involved individuals aged 15 to 29. However, health experts warn that the true number of infections is likely much higher, as many cases go undiagnosed each year due to mild or absent symptoms and a lack of testing.
Barriers to Testing and the Role of Stigma
Analysis by the Kirby Institute, released in September, revealed that only 16 percent of Australians aged 16 to 49 have ever been tested for an STI, highlighting significant gaps in sexual health awareness and practices. Nearly half of Australian women report experiencing discomfort or reluctance when discussing sexual health with a care provider, making them particularly vulnerable to falling behind in testing.
“There’s a real sense of shame when it comes to STIs and that they say something about you personally rather than being a bacterial infection that, actually, somebody else gave you,” said vulvovaginal specialist naturopath Jessica Lloyd.
Lloyd further explained that societal attitudes often link women’s sexual activity with negative stereotypes, suggesting that contracting an STI reflects personal failure. “A major factor is linked to women’s sexual activity and the sentiment that if you catch a disease, it’s because you are a dirty s*** – but you haven’t done anything wrong if you get an STI,” she added.
In contrast, men do not face the same level of stigma and are more frequently the transmitters of infections, according to Lloyd.
Innovative Solutions: At-Home Testing
To address these barriers, an at-home STI self-test has been developed by Touch Biotechnology as a pre-screening tool aimed at reducing the mental load on women who may hesitate to visit a clinic. The test, which screens for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can deliver accurate and reliable results within 15 minutes following a vaginal swab. Lloyd described this innovation as a “game-changer” for sexual wellness.
“Anything that makes it easier to get tested and treated is so important,” Lloyd emphasized. “So much damage is caused by untreated STIs and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets.”
Many STIs can present without obvious warning signs and are often mistaken for other conditions such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis. Some individuals are completely asymptomatic, making testing the only reliable method to detect an infection.
Implications and Next Steps
Most STIs are easily treated and cured with antibiotics, but without awareness of an infection, individuals cannot seek the necessary treatment. “As a general rule, how often you should get tested depends on what you’re up to in your sex life or what your partner is up to,” Lloyd advised.
The introduction of at-home testing represents a significant step forward in addressing the STI crisis in Australia. By making testing more accessible and reducing the stigma associated with visiting clinics, health experts hope to see an increase in testing rates and a subsequent decline in untreated infections.
As the conversation around sexual health continues to evolve, it is crucial for public health campaigns to focus on education and awareness, breaking down the barriers of shame and stigma that have long hindered progress in this area.
