The UK has been dubbed the gonorrhoea capital of Europe, with a significantly higher prevalence than the rest of Europe.
The most recent data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows that the STI was far more prevalent in the UK than in any other country in the EU or EEA (European Economic Area).
In 2018, the UK had 93.2 cases of gonorrhoea per 100,000 people, way ahead of Ireland in second place with 49.8 per 100,000.
Advert
Next up was Denmark with 38 cases per 100,000; followed by Norway with 31.3 per 100,000; then Iceland with 29.8.
While the UK takes the crown for gonorrhoea, you'll be pleased to hear it isn't quite such a hotspot for other STIs.
It's only in fourth place for chlamydia, for instance, with 365.7 cases per 100,000 - behind Denmark with 578.0 per 100,000, Iceland with 526.6 and Norway with 501.1.
Advert
Using Public Health England data, men's wellness company FROM MARS has created a calculator showing your risks of contracting gonorrhoea and other STIs depending on where in the UK you live.
And it's sad news for Londoners, with all of the top 10 STI hotspots being boroughs in the capital.
Lambeth is the worst off, and currently has the highest number of new STI cases in the UK at 3,915 per 100,000.
Other hotspots include Brighton & Hove with 1,566 STI cases per 100,000 and Manchester with 1,437 cases.
Advert
You can check out the prevalence of STIs where you live by using the calculator here.
Aside from gonorrhoea, an expert has recently warned about a rare disease that has been dubbed 'the flesh-eating STI' becoming more prevalent in the UK.
Donovanosis is a rare STI commonly found in India, Papua, New Guinea, the Caribbean, central Australia, and southern Africa.
Advert
It has been dubbed the 'flesh-eating STI', however, the bacteria doesn't actually rot the flesh but does cause painful ulcers in the genital reasons.
It can also lead to permanent scarring and swelling of the genitals.
Though cases are still extremely rare in the UK, they are on the rise.
Public Health England data shows that cases increased from 19 in 2016 to 30 in 2019.
Dr Shree Datta from London's MyHealthCare Clinic told the Sun: "These figures suggest that donovanosis - which was previously thought to be restricted to places including India, Brazil and New Guinea - is becoming more common on these shores.
Advert
"Using contraception significantly reduces the risk of contracting the disease, while it can be treated with antibiotics.
"But severe cases can lead to permanent scarring and damage to the genitals, as well as discolouration and even irreversible swelling, so this is definitely one to watch."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy