Human sexuality is an eternal constant, but the recent global tumult with the pandemic and more underscores some changes in sexual behavior worth paying attention to. In this newsletter, we focus on five trends.

1. For the sexually active, risks spike in spread of antibiotic-resistant infections -

Getting frisky can be risky these days, with federal authorities reporting that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have skyrocketed for a half-dozen years now. The spread of infections like syphilis, gonorrhea (antibiotic-resistant variety, shown above), and chlamydia has increased by anywhere from 20% to 70%. It has only worsened as Americans stayed sexually active during the pandemic but with less access to STI testing and care. While these diseases can be knocked down with treatment, notably with antibiotics that are losing effectiveness due to widespread overuse, they can lead to serious, long-term consequences including infertility and blindness.