Sexually transmitted infections decline in Spain
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In 2025, Spain saw a slight decrease in reported cases of syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum, while gonorrhea cases stabilized and chlamydia infections rose moderately, ending a decade of increasing sexually transmitted infections.
The National Epidemiology Center (CNE) reported these changes, noting that levels remain high despite the positive trend.
Victoria Hernando, a study author, suggested that preventative campaigns, including promoting condom use and training healthcare workers, along with improved diagnostic tools like self-testing kits, may have contributed to this slowdown in infection rates. This reversal follows a period of growth that began at the start of the 21st century and accelerated over the last ten years. Infections briefly decreased in 2020 due to Covid-19 lockdowns, but then increased again, reaching a peak in 2024.
Experts believe factors like reduced condom use and dating apps contributed to the earlier rise, but also that increased detection through programs like PrEP, which provides preventative HIV medication, played a role. Juan Carlos Galán, head of virology at the Ramón y Cajal Hospital, believes that improved detection is the primary reason for both the previous increase and the current decrease. He pointed out that less frequent testing due to logistical issues may be leading to fewer diagnoses.
The use of DoxyPEP, a post-exposure antibiotic, may also be influencing the decline in some bacterial infections, though its impact on gonorrhea is unclear. The CNE’s latest report also shows that men are more affected by these infections than women, and most cases occur in young adults.
