Sex apps increase risk of STIs, US researchers warn.
Using smartphone apps to seek out partners for casual sex poses an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, researchers warn.
A study in Los Angeles, California, showed gonorrhoea and
chlamydia were more common in gay men using apps than in those meeting
in clubs or online.
Sexual health experts said technology was creating more opportunities for sex than ever before.
One of the apps, Grindr, said it was committed to promoting safe sex.
The researchers were curious about the impact of apps such as
Grindr and Scruff which use a smartphone's location to help find
partners.
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Justin Harbottle Terrence Higgins TrustHowever good the sex is, it's not worth contracting a long-term condition”
They quizzed 7,184 men attending a sexual health clinic at the LA Gay and Lesbian Centre.
The results showed men were 23% more likely to have
gonorrhoea and 35% more likely to be infected with chlamydia than men
using other websites or clubs to meet new partners.
There was no difference in the risk of HIV between the groups.
Their report concluded: "Technology is redefining sex on demand.
"Advances which improve the efficiency of meeting anonymous sexual partners may have the unintended effect of
creating networks of individuals where users may be more likely to have
sexually transmissible infections."
Condoms
Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact.
Dr Steve Taylor, a consultant in sexual health and HIV medicine
at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, told the BBC: "Yes this is
definitely something we are seeing in our sexual health and HIV clinics,
both among gay men and heterosexuals.
"Without a doubt technology has facilitated rapid partner
change and therefore it is a perfect environment for sexually
transmitted infections and HIV to spread."
Justin Harbottle, a health promotion specialist at the
Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "However good the sex is, it's not worth
contracting a long-term condition.
"Gay men today have more opportunities to meet for sex than ever before.
"Part of the problem is that communication on dating apps can
be brief, making it easy to cut corners on important discussions like
safe sex."
He said condoms were still the best defence against infection.
Grindr told the BBC: "Grindr is highly committed to promoting
safe sex within the community and strongly encourages our users to
engage in safe sex practices, get tested and know their HIV status."
It added that it collaborated with a range of organisations to raise awareness about safe sex.
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