Benidorm Named the Mediterranean’s Unsafe Sex Hot Spot
It's the end of the summer holidays and you're feeling cheated that your two weeks away went far too fast. We all know the feeling. But could some of us be coming home with a little something extra on top of post-holiday blues?
In a national survey commissioned by pharmacy2u, almost one in ten of the 2,029 that took part said that they'd had sex with a stranger on holiday without using a condom. When asked which holiday destination it happened at, Benidorm came out on top, with Ayia Napa, Magaluf and Kavos also in the top ten list.
Probably more concerning is that 45% said that they wouldn't get tested for an STI if they had had unprotected casual sex and would only be prompted to do so if they showed symptoms. However some of the most common sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia, can often be symptomless so many people can be unaware they've caught something.
With Chlamydia being the most diagnosed STI in the UK, it's never been more important to get tested. The STI has no symptoms in the majority of people but can lead to serious problems in the long term, so it's definitely a holiday souvenir you wouldn't want to hang on to.
If the heat of the moment got to you on holiday this summer, don't wait for the warning signs. Get tested when you get home for your own peace of mind and to be sure you won't pass anything on.
It's recommended that you wait 2 weeks after potential exposure before taking a test, but you can order a kit now to complete later. See if you're eligible for a free Chlamydia testing kit with us by entering your postcode at freetest.me.