Gay Men Who Use Hook-Up Apps Have Higher STD Risk

Chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world, is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Gay men who hook up by using smartphone apps may be at higher risk for some sexually transmitted infections than men who find sexual partners through online dating, or in bars and clubs, a new study suggests.

In the study, which involved gay and bisexual men, those who used smartphone apps (such as Grindr and Recon) to find sexual partners were 23 percent more likely to be infected with gonorrhea, and 35 percent more likely to be infected with chlamydia, compared with men who met sexual partners in bars, clubs and other in-person venues.
Men who used smartphone apps for hook ups were also about 40 percent more likely to be infected with gonorrhea compared with those who used Internet websites (such as Manhunt and Adam4Adam) to meet sexual partners. [Sexy Tech: 6 Apps That May Stimulate Your Love Life]