Casual Sex Mobile Apps Increase Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections

The rise in popularity of smartphones has led to casual sex apps, but using these types of apps to find one-night stands also increases sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  The problem is even more serious for homosexuals engaging in casual sex using these online mobile applications.

Heterosexual users have access to apps such as Tinder and Swipe, while homosexuals can use Grindr and Scruff to hook up and find casual sex partners.  The study focused on gay and bisexual men only, but health experts warned heterosexual users also likely faced a higher risk of STIs when seeking out casual sex partners.

Gay men using the smartphone apps are 23 percent more likely to suffer from gonorrhea, and the number of men likely to suffer from chlamydia increased up to 35 percent.  There was no increase in HIV or syphilis among casual sex smartphone app users.

Researchers from the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center noted:

“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.”

Health experts strongly urge everyone using these types of apps to use condoms as safe sex awareness becomes a major vocal point.  In a statement, Grindr told BBC that its company is “highly committed” to recommending safe sex practices for its users.

Thank you BBC for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of: Huffington Post