The number of people in the Netherlands with gonorrhea is increasing significantly
In 2023, the number of diagnoses of this sexually transmitted disease increased by 31% compared to 2022. These were people who had themselves tested at one of the sexual health centers ( CSG(Sexual Health Center)'s) of the GGD(Municipal health service). The increase is greatest among women and heterosexual men under the age of 25.
This is the second year in a row that the number of young adults who tested positive for gonorrhea at the CSG has increased (Sexual Health Center)'s rising. In mid-2022, the RIVM already reported that the number of people with gonorrhea was increasing. This was an increase of 33% compared to 2021.
In 2023, there were more than 13,800 gonorrhea diagnoses at the CSGs. That is an increase of 31% compared to 2022. Although gonorrhea is still most common in men who have sex with men, the increase in young women and young heterosexual men is particularly striking. This mainly concerns people with a high level of education, without a migration background. In 2023, the number of gonorrhea diagnoses among women increased by 78% compared to 2022 (from 1,458 to 2,598) and among heterosexual men by 51% (from 666 to 1,007).
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The gonorrhea detection rate (the number of diagnoses divided by the number of tests) increased from 2.3% to 4.1% in women. Among heterosexual men, the finding rate went from 2.4% to 3.5%.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria can cause infections of the urethra, rectum, throat and epididymis in men. In women, the bacteria can cause infections of the urethra, rectum, throat, cervix and fallopian tubes.