Independent Stirling Escorts

Local people across Forth Valley are being urged to practice safer sex and to get tested if they have been at risk following a large increase in cases of gonorrhoea.

In 2019, 164 cases of gonorrhoea were reported in Forth Valley however in 2022 more than 270 cases were confirmed with the biggest increase being amongst young people aged between 19 and 25.

Along with several other Health Boards across Scotland, sexual health experts in NHS Forth Valley are now encouraging anyone who has had unprotected sex to get tested and stress the importance of using condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

NHS Forth Valley Consultant in HIV and Genito Urinary Medicine, Dr Kirsty Abu-Rajab, said: “The best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to practice safer sex by using a condom and get tested if you have been at risk. Gonorrhoea infection is spread by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex and can also infect the throat and eyes.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea can include:

• green or yellow fluid coming out of the penis
• pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
• discomfort and swelling of the testicles
• A change in vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower tummy, particularly during sex
• bleeding in between periods or after sex

“However, many people with gonorrhoea will not experience any symptoms and are at risk of passing the infection on to others. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause serious health problems and complications, including infertility in both men and women.”

The Scottish Parliament has published the responses on the consultation on sex work, framed with the negative question of 'A consultation on challenging men's demand for prostitution, working to reduce the harms associated with prostitution and helping women to exit'.  I understand from previous press releases, the majority of resondants were in favour of some decriminilisation and not criminilising the buyer. The usual Nordic Model Now culptits were there.  Personally I was pleased to see the 'Sally Army' taking a pragmatic view of condeming the purchase of sex, but realising the criminilisation of the client would put the sex worker in danger.

Unforunatley all the usual suspects, such as Nordic Model Now, Scottish Women’s Aid and Encompass Network made their usual play from the discredited and dangerous Nordic Model, whcih research from Cambridge University and other institutions has shown to be dangerous to the sex worker.

We must also take issue with the phrasing of the questions, which a few sex workers who answered the questions, commented on.

If you want to reference the questions and answers , I would advise making a personal copy. Previous Scottish consulations have removed the responses on sex work without warning.