OVER the last few decades Irish society dropped the shackles of its conservative history and embraced liberal attitudes to a range of issues, from same-sex marriage to "the right to choose".
This rapid revolution started with the State legalising contraception more than 30 years ago, however, it appears Paddies are jack of the humble condom, a report from dating website RSVP reveals, with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) spiking as a result.
Celebrity pharmacist, Laura Dowling told the match-making website it was no shock that drooping condom sales across the Emerald Isle had been paired with a stiff increase in STIs.
"I am not shocked at all. It makes sense, when people stop using protection they end up getting an STI," she told the dating site's blog.
"Lots of people have unprotected sex. Teens, twenty some-things, middle aged people back on the dating scene after a marriage breakup.
"Condoms are the only way to protect against STIs but they seem to be going out of fashion."
The Dublin-based "Fabulous Pharmacist" added that pharmacists needed to help educate customers about the importance of looking after their sexual health, and to undergo regular screening, as cases of herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are all on the rise in the Republic of Ireland.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Nov 19
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