STI RATES SURGE AS WOMEN TURN TO AT-HOME TESTING TO BREAK THE SHAME CYCLE

Australia is facing an alarming surge in sexually transmitted infections, with cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea climbing sharply over the past decade. Yet, stigma, silence and clinic delays are still stopping many women from getting tested.

New figures reveal more than 109,000 chlamydia cases were reported in 2023, representing a 20–24 per cent increase in recent years.

Almost 70 per cent of those cases involved women, while two-thirds were among young Australians aged 15–29. Gonorrhoea followed as the second most common STI, with more than 40,000 confirmed cases.

Health authorities warn the real numbers are likely even higher, as many infections go undiagnosed due to mild or hidden symptoms.

Left untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhoea can lead to serious consequences such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and chronic pain.

Vulvovaginal specialist, naturopath, and TouchBio ambassador and vulvovaginal specialist naturopath Jessica Lloyd says women are particularly vulnerable.

"In my clinic, I often see women whose doctor has already treated them for an STI, but the infection has left lasting damage,” she explains.

“Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can quietly disrupt the vaginal microbiome for months before they’re diagnosed, and while antibiotics clear the infection, they don’t automatically restore balance.

That’s why women can be left struggling with ongoing issues like recurrent thrush or bacterial vaginosis long after the STI itself has gone.

“Early detection through self-testing is a powerful way to avoid this cycle — catching infections sooner, so treatment can begin before long-term damage is done."

According to national surveys, nearly half of women feel uncomfortable discussing sexual health with a healthcare provider, highlighting the enduring stigma that surrounds STI testing.

"A big reason women put off STI testing is shame, shame about asking for help, shame about what they might be told, shame about the whole process,” says Lloyd.

“Getting tested for STIs often means a doctor’s visit, which costs money, time off work or school, and embarrassment about the situation.

The stigma is still huge. So testing gets delayed, home remedies come out, and women try everything they can to fix the problem themselves without telling anyone.

“Self-tests change that. They give women a private, practical way to take the first step at home, and that’s a mighty shift.”

Touch Biotechnology has launched its Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea Rapid Test (For Female), a discreet, non-invasive self-test kit that delivers results in just 15 minutes.

Designed for home use, the test acts as a pre-screening tool to help women identify infections quickly and follow up with a GP for treatment.

“Too many women are suffering in silence,” says Touch Biotechnology CEO Matthew Salihi.

“We designed this test to eliminate the most common reasons women delay testing: awkward appointments, long waits, and fear of judgment," he said.

Self-testing is more than convenient; it’s empowering. By removing those barriers, we’re giving women the confidence to take control of their health and start meaningful conversations that have too often been avoided.”

With young women carrying the heaviest burden of rising STI rates, advocates say the message is clear: silence is costing lives and fertility.

Discreet self-testing offers an alternative pathway to care, one that could help break down stigma, speed up diagnosis, and empower women to take charge of their sexual health.